The Sound River Studios
The Sound River Studios (Long Island City, NY) is a large gallery-style space with a striking view of The Manhattan skyline. As a result, The Sound River Studio is a scenic wedding venue that benefits from additional lighting.
Why Couples Love Weddings at The Sound River Studios
Finding a venue in New York City that feels spacious, authentic, and breathtaking without feeling like a standard hotel ballroom is a challenge. For couples seeking that perfect blend of industrial grit and romantic elegance, Sound River Studios in Long Island City often rises to the top of the list.
Located right on the East River, this venue has become a favorite for those wanting to escape the congestion of Manhattan while keeping the skyline as their backdrop. However, a raw space requires a specific type of vision. Here is what you need to know about hosting your big day at Sound River Studios.
Unbeatable Skyline Views
The primary reason couples book Sound River Studios is the view. It is difficult to compete with a waterfront location that offers unobstructed panoramas of the Manhattan skyline.
During the ceremony, the Empire State Building and the UN Secretariat Building serve as your background. As the sun sets and the city lights flicker on, the atmosphere transforms into something truly magical. For photographers, this location is a goldmine. Whether you are capturing portraits on the dock or candid moments during cocktail hour, the East River provides a cinematic quality that defines a New York wedding.
A Versatile “Blank Canvas”
If you have a Pinterest board full of specific decor ideas, this venue is your playground. Sound River Studios is a massive, warehouse-style space characterized by high ceilings, white walls, and skylights.
This “blank canvas” appeal allows you to design the flow of the evening exactly how you want it. Because the space is so large, you can easily host the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one location without it feeling cramped. You aren’t stuck with a venue’s existing carpet or drapes; you build the aesthetic from the ground up.
Indoor and Outdoor Flow
A major advantage here is the ability to move guests between environments. The venue features oversized bay doors that open up to the dockside area. On a nice day, this creates a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.
Guests can mingle by the water with a drink in hand before moving inside for dinner and dancing. Additionally, the venue provides a bridal suite, which is a crucial logistical element for touch-ups and private moments away from the crowd.
A Team That Cares
A beautiful building means nothing if the management is difficult, but Sound River Studios consistently receives high marks for its staff. Reviews frequently highlight the venue manager, Una, for her professionalism and responsiveness. Having a helpful team on-site can significantly reduce stress during the planning process, especially when you are dealing with the complexities of a raw space.
Important Considerations Before Booking
While the pros are compelling, a raw warehouse space comes with unique challenges. It is important to go in with your eyes open regarding logistics.
- Lighting and Tech: Since the space is vast and industrial, lighting is crucial. If you are hosting a winter wedding when the sun sets early, the venue can get very dark. You will likely need to budget extra for professional lighting to ensure the space feels warm and inviting rather than cavernous.
- Catering and Rentals: As a raw space, you are often building the kitchen and dining experience from scratch. While this allows for customization, it also means you need to manage vendors carefully. Be sure to confirm details regarding food service and what equipment your caterers will need to bring in.
- Accessibility: Long Island City is trendy, but parking can be hit or miss. Ensure you have a plan for how guests will arrive, whether that’s organizing shuttles or providing clear instructions on nearby parking options.
Is Sound River Studios Right For You?
This venue is a specific vibe for a specific couple. You should definitely consider Sound River Studios if:
- You love Industrial Chic: You want exposed beams, concrete floors, and a modern aesthetic.
- You have a large guest list: The space comfortably seats 250 to 350 people, making it one of the better options for large weddings in the area.
- You prioritize photos: You want that iconic NYC skyline in your wedding album.
- You want flexibility: You are ready to hire a planner and designers to transform a raw space into your vision.
Sound River Studios offers a unique slice of New York—spacious, scenic, and entirely yours to create.
STRING LIGHTS IN ZIGZAGGING PATTERN
- Zigzagging String Lights is a timeless lighting pattern. Therefore, you should hang a simple arrangement of 150ft of String Lights suspended in a zigzagging pattern. Furthermore, string lights will enhance the wedding reception look at The Sound River Studios. Nevertheless, an arrangement of hanging string lights is visually appealing and supplies “more bang for fewer bucks.”
STRING LIGHTS WITH PAPER LANTERNS
- Consider hanging a combination of paper lanterns and zigzagging String Lights for a wedding reception in the main room at The Sound River Studios. Our paper lanterns are evenly spaced along our Zigzagging String Lights. Therefore, the paper lanterns make a beautiful enhancement to hanging string lights. As a result, it is an excellent upgrade to an arrangement of string lights for a wedding at The Sound River Studios.
UP-LIGHTING AGAINST WALLS
- Our company is a huge fan of up-lighting placed against walls, and this venue is no exception. Therefore, we strongly support using Warm White Up-Lights at The Sound River Studios. As a result, Up-lights greatly enhance the space by providing an accent light against the walls. Therefore, consider placing Warm White Up-Lights along the perimeter walls and at the base of each center column of the main room. Furthermore, consider putting Warm White Up-Lights all the perimeter wall of the foyer.
LARGE HANGING FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS
- Highlight a sizeable hanging floral arrangement with a spotlight. Hanging floral arrangements are almost always a conversation piece. Therefore, any sizeable floral arrangement should be highlighted with additional lighting to remain visible after dark. Fortunately, there are better options than the in-house track lights included with the venue for illuminating hanging florals. As an alternative, consider including spotlights provided by our company to highlight any large-scale hanging floral arrangements. Alternatively, at a minimum, consider hanging string lights with your sizeable floral arrangement to ensure they remain visible after dark.
LARGE FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS (set on the bar)
- Sizeable floral arrangements are always a conversation piece. Therefore, consider providing a spotlight for them to ensure they remain visible after the sun has gone down. Thus, highlight any sizeable standing floral arrangements or sizeable florals on display on the main bar in the rear section of the venue. Similarly, highlight any sizeable florals that are on display on tables.
BAND MEMBERS
- Seeing the members of a band is a crucial part of their performance. Therefore, consider providing a spotlight to highlight their performance area. Therefore, members of your band will remain seen after sunset. Additionally, their movements and facial expressions are visible. As a result, your wedding at The Sound River Studios will benefit significantly from additional lighting for your band.
- Furthermore, you can also consider using a set of color-changing lights to highlight your band members. Usually, dimmable warm-white lights are appropriate. As an alternative, you can consider color-changing lights for your band as an upgrade from warm-white lights. However, a person must operate a controller to change the colors during the band’s performance.
THE BAR
- The main bar at The Sound River Studios is a celebrity in popularity. As a result, the main bar usually becomes a gathering place where guests exchange conversations and laughs while waiting to receive their drinks. For this reason, you can consider highlighting the main bar with a set of spotlights. Nevertheless, consider using the in-house track lights to illuminate your bar. Consequently, it requires you to focus the track lights at your bar. Nevertheless, the track lights will typically provide sufficient light for your bar without installing additional lights.
WEDDING CEREMONY LIGHTING AT The Sound River Studios
- During the fall and winter months, sunset will arrive early in the day. Therefore, your ceremony area may appear dark. As a result, viewing your ceremony and the quality of your wedding photos may be affected. For this reason, highlighting your wedding ceremony at The Sound River Studios with additional lighting is usually essential during these months. Hence, adding additional lighting will ensure your wedding ceremony at The Sound River Studios remains visible at sunset.
WEDDING CAKE LIGHTING AT The Sound River Studios
- After dark, your wedding cake may require additional lighting at The Sound River Studios. Therefore, pin-spot lighting is essential to highlight your wedding cake after dark.
Popular (Dance Floor) Lighting Options
Mirror Ball w/ Motor & Spotlight
Sound Activated / Color-Changing Wash
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Approximate Total w/ NYC Tax, Setup, and Delivery
Delivery $150 / NYC Tax (8.875%)