Weddings > Planner

Location, Location, Location

By Arielle Winnik
Published Winter 2008

Gotham Hall

(Photo: Courtesy of Fête)

If You...	Have an Uncuttable Guest List
Jung Lee of Fête	Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Pkwy.,at Washington Ave., Prospect Heights; 718-501-6408; brooklynmuseum.org) $$$	“Throw a 400-person party in the newly renovated, gorgeous Beaux-Arts Court, a room with a grand brass chandelier, and art-filled corridors around its perimeter. Spread tables throughout the court, as well as inside the surrounding halls. Their in-house caterer Restaurant Associates’ food is good, but not foodie-caliber.” Caveat: “You can’t set up until 6 p.m.” Also try: American Museum of Natural History
Xochitl Gonzalez of Always a Bridesmaid	Guastavino's (409 E. 59th St., nr. First Ave.; 212-980-2711; guastavinos.com) $$	“Even though it’s big enough for a party of 600, and has 45-foot high ceilings, it feels relatively intimate. Host cocktails for 325 on the outdoor terrace, with river views, right beneath the Queensboro Bridge, and dinner and dancing on the mezzanine inside. Rent lounge furniture for a huge dance-after-party downstairs.” Caveat: : “There are upgrade charges for common food items, like filet mignon.” Also try: Bridgewaters
Ellen Kostman of SideKick Events	Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway, at 36th St.; 212-244-4300; gothamhallevents.com) $$$	“An old bank with a stained-glass ceiling, columns, and brass grates. Host cocktail hour on two floors—hors d’oeuvre on the mezzanine and food stations downstairs. The place is vast, so put high floral arrangements on the reception tables. They have three in-house caterers (one kosher); allow off-premise vendors; and provide rentals, including the dance floor.” Caveat: “The sound quality isn’t great.” Also try: Cipriani 42nd Street

If You...

Have an Uncuttable Guest List

Jung Lee

of Fête

Brooklyn Museum

(200 Eastern Pkwy.,at Washington Ave., Prospect Heights; 718-501-6408; brooklynmuseum.org)

$$$

“Throw a 400-person party in the newly renovated, gorgeous Beaux-Arts Court, a room with a grand brass chandelier, and art-filled corridors around its perimeter. Spread tables throughout the court, as well as inside the surrounding halls. Their in-house caterer Restaurant Associates’ food is good, but not foodie-caliber.”

Caveat: “You can’t set up until 6 p.m.”

Also try: American Museum of Natural History

Xochitl Gonzalez

of Always a Bridesmaid

Guastavino's

(409 E. 59th St., nr. First Ave.; 212-980-2711; guastavinos.com)

“Even though it’s big enough for a party of 600, and has 45-foot high ceilings, it feels relatively intimate. Host cocktails for 325 on the outdoor terrace, with river views, right beneath the Queensboro Bridge, and dinner and dancing on the mezzanine inside. Rent lounge furniture for a huge dance-after-party downstairs.”

Caveat: : “There are upgrade charges for common food items, like filet mignon.”

Also try: Bridgewaters

Ellen Kostman

of SideKick Events

Gotham Hall

(1356 Broadway, at 36th St.; 212-244-4300; gothamhallevents.com)

$$$

“An old bank with a stained-glass ceiling, columns, and brass grates. Host cocktail hour on two floors—hors d’oeuvre on the mezzanine and food stations downstairs. The place is vast, so put high floral arrangements on the reception tables. They have three in-house caterers (one kosher); allow off-premise vendors; and provide rentals, including the dance floor.”

Caveat: “The sound quality isn’t great.”

Also try: Cipriani 42nd Street