Since we have only 5 months to plan this wedding, we are determined to get a venue picked by the end of the month.
Our (theoretical) wedding will have ~100 guests. The most important parts of our reception will be a kickass sit-down dinner, and a great band for swing dancing (it’s how we met). That means the venue will have to have a quality dance floor.
I’m a sucker for the more formal European style of reception, where guests move from one room to another for ceremony/cocktails/dinner/dancing, as opposed to the more traditional round tables around a center dance floor.
So here’s my summary of the “old New York” venues in NYC that do European-style receptions for approximately 100 guests. Most of the venues were built in the early 1900s, and have gorgeous architectural details inside and out. (Photos all from their own sites)
Lotos Club: lovely venue for an intimate wedding (80 or so), but too small for a larger number of guests. Exceptionally reasonable pricing (~$19,000 for 80 guests) because rentals and dinner are included, and pricing is tiered according to the style of menu you choose. The ceremony area is gorgeous, and has lovely pale green stained glass. There is a grand staircase to the second floor where the ballroom is, and that is where dinner is served. Ultimately, however, the majority of dancing is done in the small foyer adjacent to the ballroom, which is uncompelling if your guests love to dance. Also, you have to know a member to host an event here, and although I’ve heard that the in-house event coordinators will make introductions if you can’t find one through your own network, they were slightly snobby about the whole process.
The Explorers Club: this venue has more character than any I’ve ever seen. It’s a club for real explorers (proof of expeditions required to apply for membership!), and the walls are lined with treasures and taxidermy that members have collected over the years. There is a giant stuffed polar bear hanging out in the hallway! Part of the draw is the option to host the ceremony on the beautiful outdoor patio, so consider this venue for summer weddings. There is no real dance floor, so you have to rent one ($2000), and almost nothing is included. The venue fee is $6000 for 4 hours, $1500 for each additional hour (plus staffing + security costs). Beautiful but extremely pricy.
Harold Pratt House: $6500 venue fee for 5 hours (plus an additional 2 included for set up and break down), plus $1000 mandatory security fee. Tables & chairs are included, but the chairs are leather folding chairs so you will most likely wind up renting a set of dinner chairs as well. A/V is “included” but you have hire their A/V guy (minimum $350) and the equipment is too old to be compatible with an iPod. The space is beautiful, with a lounge area adjacent to the large ballroom. Cocktails are served up in the library, dinner is in the formal dining room - which is one of the few we saw that was able to accommodate banquet tables.
These other spots weren’t available on the dates I was asking about. Several of them are ballrooms only, but have a similar Old New York vibe:
- 3 West Club (fantastic prices; for smaller guest counts)
- New York Palace Hotel
- The Metropolitan Club
- Hotel Giraffe (great packages, very reasonably priced)
- The Campbell Apartment (for a very intimate ceremony with no dancing)
- Gotham Hall
- Prince George Ballroom (ballroom only)
- Jumeirah Essex House (ballroom)
If you happen across this post and I’ve missed a great one, please let me know.
