George and Jaclyn Embiricos had their hearts set on an outdoor wedding reception last summer and settled on his family home in Southampton, N.Y.
“We wanted to celebrate close to the city but not in the city and were set on a gorgeous outdoor area with lots of space,” Mr. Embiricos said. “Our property was appealing because we wouldn’t have to pay a venue fee and it had a large lawn to accommodate our guests.”
But when Mr. Embiricos, 34, a psychotherapist with a practice in Manhattan, and Ms. Embiricos, 32, an interior designer, researched the cost of renting a tent and audiovisual equipment, installing a dance floor and other logistics, they realized it would be far pricier and more complicated than they wanted.
They ended up hosting their 150-person wedding ceremony and reception in September at the Central Park Zoo instead.
“It turned out that getting married in the city was super convenient for our guests and us,” Mr. Embiricos said. “We were able to get a lot more value for our money than we would have in Southampton, and it was a lot less stressful for us to plan.”
New York has long experienced a slowdown in weddings during the summer, when it’s hotter and more humid. The drop-off was especially noticeable during the coronavirus pandemic, as local couples opted for more spacious outdoor venues within a few hours’ drive of the city. They often sought places in upstate New York, the Hamptons, Connecticut and other countryside or oceanfront destinations.
