The Bon Vivant Wedding

In consultation with Jung Lee of Fête.

• By Sara Cardace
• Published Summer 2006

MEDIUM BUDGET

THE PRINCE GEORGE BALLROOM
15 E. 27th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-471-0882; commonground.org

Location

Originally built in 1904 as a luxury hotel, this huge brick-and-terra-cotta apartment building's soaring 4,800-square-foot ballroom features restored Beaux-Arts detailing, such as intricate gilded ceilings and gold-wrapped columns, marble mosaic floors, and Renaissance-inspired murals on the walls. Invite guests to enter the ballroom-one of the biggest such spaces in the city-through the more minimal World Monuments Fund Gallery, which is perfect for cocktails. The best part? All proceeds from your event rental ($7,500 for weddings) go directly toward Common Ground Community's mission to end homelessness.

Catering

Have a romantic, sit-down dinner catered by Creative Edge Parties, whose client list boasts Louis Vuitton, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and Harry Winston. Their delectable entrées include everything from twenty-spice Magret duck with grape-and-Zinfandel sauce to scrumptious bistro burgers, and passed hors d'oeuvre run the gamut from truffled deviled eggs on brioche to chicken rillettes. Avoid breaking the bank on a full open bar by offering retro specialty cocktails like sidecars with fresh-squeezed lemon, or a couple of sweet variations on the standard gin fizz, served in old-fashioned, frosted glasses.

Music

For cocktails, have Danny Mixon (212-636-9262), an amazing old-time jazz pianist who has worked with Charles Mingus and Betty Carter, perform classic jazz with drum and upright-bass accompaniment. Pick upbeat jazz standards for the cocktail hour and switch to slower, romantic ones-think "It Had to Be You" and "Prelude to a Kiss"-for dinner. Have a well-informed D.J.-A Touch of Class (201-997-0077; tocdjs.com) is a popular company that's not too pricey-spin your favorite Motown, swing, jazz, funk, and contemporary songs for the rest of the reception to ensure everyone is out on the dance floor.

Flowers & Décor

Decorate with red-velvet tuffeted chaise longues and mirrored coffee tables (or do it yourself: 12-inch mirrored tiles, $2 each, The Home Depot), black laquer round stools (which give a stylish flourish and offer additional seating), and lots of cut-glass ashtrays. Turn the fireplace in the ballroom into a seating area. Consider setting up a few silk-pattern screens to add to the exotic feel. Line the walls with beeswax candles in silver holders. Or, since the space is so ornate, stick with masses of white calla lilies in metal bowls. To keep things feeling airy, use light-colored table linens-no white-and walnut bentwood chairs. Pick simple silverware with clean lines.