The 26 Bridge Wedding Guide Every Brooklyn Couple Should Read
We have DJed a ton of weddings at 26 Bridge, and it's one of our favorite venues in Brooklyn, every wedding there looks totally different because it's a raw space and you can basically do whatever you want with it. So cool! If you're thinking about getting married there, or you already booked it, here's everything you should know.
26 Bridge at a glance
Location | 26 Bridge Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn |
History | Used to be a metal works factory, built in 1912 |
Size | About 8,000 square feet |
Capacity | Up to 248 seated, up to 375 standing |
Venue type | Raw space, you bring all your own vendors |
Managed by | BK Venues |
What is it actually like to get married at 26 Bridge?
26 Bridge is big, it's a long rectangular room with super high ceilings, and it still has a lot of the old factory in it. There are brick walls, exposed steel trusses, and huge rows of skylights, and the ceilings are about 30 feet high over hardwood floors. When your guests walk in, they see the whole room at once, and it's a real wow moment!
Who is 26 Bridge perfect for?
It's an amazing venue for couples with a big imagination and a budget that matches that! Some couples go all out, they bring in a full service planner and designer and totally trick out the space with color and design, and it looks incredible. Other couples just pay the rental fee, hire a caterer that doesn't cost a fortune, and sneak by on a pretty low budget. Both work, and honestly that's what we love about it, the weddings here can look completely different depending on what you want.
How does a raw space wedding at 26 Bridge work?
You pay the rental fee, and then you can do whatever you want with it. It's kind of like renting an empty apartment, it's yours for the day, but you have to bring everything in.
That usually means you'll need:
A caterer
A bartending team
Tables, chairs, linens, and dinnerware
Lighting and décor
A planner or day of coordinator (we really recommend one here!)
Your DJ, photographer, florist, and anyone else you want there
The rental does include some basics like dimmable house lighting, ballroom chairs, round tables, and a security guard, but a lot of the couples we see bring in their own tables and chairs so everything matches their look. Just check your contract so you know exactly what you're getting on your date.
Can you bring your own caterer and alcohol?
Yes! You can use any caterer you want, and if they're not on the preferred list they just need to do a site visit and have insurance. You can bring your own alcohol too, you'll just need a certificate of insurance that covers liquor liability. That can save you a lot of money.
How much does a 26 Bridge Brooklyn wedding cost?
The rental is the easy part to figure out. Zola lists it starting at $4,500 for off peak dates and $6,000 for peak dates, and one planner says it usually runs $6,000 to $10,000 depending on the day and season. After that, it's really up to you, and the total budgets we see here vary more than almost any other venue we work at.
Where to spend and where to save
Spend here | Save here |
Your caterer and bar team, they really run the night | Flowers, the brick and skylights already look amazing |
A planner or coordinator, there are a lot of moving parts | Ceremony décor, since that area gets flipped anyway |
Lighting, it totally changes the room once it gets dark | Signs and extra decorative stuff |
Lounge furniture to break up the big room | Fancy chairs if the house chairs work for you |
For music, our DJs are $2,000 to $4,000, and you can see what's included on our services page.
What are the best 26 Bridge wedding layout ideas?
Since the room is one big long rectangle, you'll want to separate it into sections. You can use drapes, furniture, plants, or other big pieces to make separate areas, and it makes the room feel a lot cozier.
Three layouts we see all the time
The flip. You do the ceremony at one end, everyone goes to cocktail hour, and then the ceremony area gets turned into dinner or the dance floor.
The drape reveal. Ceremony and cocktail hour happen on one side, and dinner is set up behind a drape on the other side. When the drape opens, guests always love it. Such a good trick!
The three zones. A cocktail lounge near the entrance, dinner in the middle, and the dance floor at the far end.
Our biggest layout tip
Keep your dance floor close to your dinner tables! The room is so big that if the dance floor is way off on its own, people wander off and don't dance as much. When it's right next to the tables, people get up and they stay up.
How to style 26 Bridge for your wedding
The couples whose weddings look the best here lean into the industrial look instead of trying to hide it.
Candles everywhere. Candlelight on brick always looks amazing.
Lighting and color. Lighting can make the room feel moody, romantic, or like a big party, and we offer wedding lighting too if you want to keep things simple.
Plants and trees. They make the room softer and they work great as dividers.
Hanging installations. The ceilings are so high, you can do something really dramatic up there, just check with BK Venues on what's allowed.
A photo booth corner. It gives guests a fun place to hang out between dancing, and we can set one up for you.
How does the night flow at 26 Bridge?
Most weddings here happen all in one room, so it's really about moving your guests from one part of the night to the next.
Here's what a typical night looks like:
Getting ready. There are getting ready suites right there with private bathrooms, so you don't have to go anywhere.
Ceremony. Usually at the far end of the room.
Cocktail hour. Guests move over to the lounge area while the ceremony area gets flipped.
Photos. Brooklyn Bridge Park is right there, and there's a little balcony over the main floor that couples use for a quiet moment after the ceremony. Do it!
Dinner and toasts.
Dancing until the end of the night.
Your planner and caterer will handle the flips, just make sure they give themselves enough time in the timeline.
What should you look for in a DJ at 26 Bridge?
You want a DJ who has worked big open rooms like this before, and who knows how to get people on the dance floor and keep them there, because in a room this big that really matters.
Your music should sound like you, not like the venue. If your friends love R&B, house, indie, classic rock, Latin, or a little of everything, that's what your DJ should play. That's what we do, customized music, minimal announcements. Your DJ will make the announcements you need, like introductions and toasts, and then they'll stop talking and just let everyone dance.
We work at 26 Bridge all the time, and we work at all the other BK Venues spaces too, we even DJ their holiday party! Check out our FAQ page to see how we plan the music with you.
Other BK Venues Brooklyn weddings to know about
BK Venues is a company that manages a bunch of industrial and loft wedding venues, and if you love 26 Bridge but want something a little smaller, they have some great options. Most of them are in DUMBO, one is in Williamsburg, and one is in Greenpoint.
Greenpoint Loft. Similar to 26 Bridge but smaller. It used to be a rope factory, and it has a mezzanine over the main floor and a roof deck with skyline views.
Dumbo Loft. Same raw space feel, just a little more intimate.
Bridgepoint. A roof deck in DUMBO with views of Manhattan and both bridges, for up to 60 guests.
W Loft. Another loft in the BK Venues family.
You can check out more Dumbo Brooklyn wedding venues and read reviews from couples on The Knot and Here Comes The Guide.
Frequently asked questions about planning a wedding at 26 Bridge
How do rentals and catering work at a raw space like 26 Bridge?
You bring in your own caterer, bar team, and rentals. The venue gives you the room and some basics, and your vendors do the rest.
What's the best way to divide the room for the ceremony and reception?
Drapes, lounge furniture, and plants work great. The most popular setup is the ceremony on one end, cocktail hour in a lounge area, and then a flip or a drape reveal for dinner.
What should we look for in a DJ for a room with high ceilings and a lot of open space?
Someone who has worked big open rooms and knows how to keep people dancing. The music should be built around what you love, not a generic wedding playlist.
How far in advance should we book 26 Bridge and our vendors?
If you want a Saturday in May, June, September, or October, start about a year out. Your vendors will need to send insurance certificates before the wedding, so ask BK Venues about their deadlines early.
How many guests fit at 26 Bridge?
Up to 248 seated or 375 standing.
Can we bring our own alcohol to 26 Bridge?
Yes, you just need an insurance certificate that covers liquor liability.
How much does a wedding DJ cost at 26 Bridge?
Our DJs are $2,000 to $4,000.
Can we do 26 Bridge on a smaller budget?
Yes! Lots of couples keep it simple with the rental, a caterer they love, and not much décor. The room already looks amazing.
Ready to start planning?
Reach out to see if your date is available.
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