Photographer Reviews | The River Cafe | Brooklyn, DUMBO
We’ve photographed more than five weddings at The River Café in different seasons, weather conditions, and times of day. What we like most about this venue is how private and intimate it feels while still giving you one of the most recognizable views of New York.
The atmosphere
The River Café has a classic, old-world feel with a slightly French-inspired atmosphere. It works especially well for couples who want something elegant and intimate rather than a large traditional ballroom.
You’re right on the Brooklyn waterfront, with Manhattan across the river and Brooklyn Bridge Park nearby. This gives us several very different photography options without spending a large part of the wedding day traveling around the city.
Photography at The River Café
During the day, we can photograph around the garden, waterfront, inside the restaurant, or walk into the surrounding Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO area. The exact route depends on the couple and the atmosphere they want in their photographs.
In the evening, the Manhattan skyline becomes a completely different backdrop. We especially like creating nighttime portraits here with flash, ambient city light, or something simple like champagne.
Ceremony and guest count
The garden is one of our favorite parts of the venue. During a ceremony it can feel surprisingly private considering how busy this part of Brooklyn normally is.
From our experience, The River Café feels most comfortable for weddings of around 40 guests or fewer. Larger weddings are possible, but as the guest count grows, the spaces start to feel tighter and it becomes harder for guests, photographers, and videographers to move comfortably.
Lighting
Natural light around the venue can be beautiful, especially outside and near the waterfront. Inside, we would pay particular attention to reception lighting.
In our experience, some of the overhead lighting can fall directly onto guests from above and isn’t always the most flattering for photography or video. A softer setup, even starting with candles on the tables, can create a much more elegant atmosphere. For a more elaborate setup, we would recommend working with a professional lighting team.
Getting there
One thing we really like is the direct driveway to the restaurant. Arriving by taxi or rideshare is easy because the car can bring the couple directly to the entrance.
We generally prefer this over driving yourself, since the surrounding waterfront and DUMBO area can become very busy.
What we would improve
The Manhattan view is obviously one of the strongest parts of the venue. We do think parts of the waterfront-facing exterior could use some updating so that the immediate surroundings feel as polished as the view itself.
The reception lighting is the other detail we would plan carefully. Neither point is a deal-breaker, but these are things we notice after photographing multiple weddings here.
Who is The River Café best for?
We’ve photographed very different couples here, from younger modern weddings to more traditional celebrations. For us, The River Café works especially well for couples looking for:
an intimate wedding
a classic and elegant atmosphere
privacy without leaving New York City
Manhattan skyline views
easy access to Brooklyn waterfront portraits
a venue that feels special without feeling oversized
If that combination is what you’re looking for, The River Café is one of our favorite intimate wedding venues in Brooklyn.
