Weddings Summer 2009 > Planner

MUSEUMS & PUBLIC VENUES

American Museum of Natural History

Central Park W. at 79th St.; 212-769-5817; amnh.org

A membership fee of $3,500 provides access to the Powerhouse, which accommodates up to 300 guests for a seated dinner. This 5,000-square-foot loft-like space features French doors that open onto the Ross Terrace, offering dramatic views of the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Pre-event receptions can also be held in the glass-walled North Galleria. Catering is provided by Restaurant Associates. Prices upon request.

Americas Society

680 Park Ave., at 68th St.; 212-249-8950; americas-society.org

This cultural society, housed in a historic mansion, has a wood-paneled library with a barrel-vaulted ceiling that’s lovely for a ceremony, and the dining room holds 120 seated guests with dancing (the caterer must provide furnishings). A $5,150 fee buys eight hours, day or night (except in August)

Angel Orensanz Foundation

172 Norfolk St., nr. Houston St.; 212-529-7194; orensanz.org

This 1849 building, home to the oldest synagogue in New York, is designed to replicate the Cathedral of Cologne: Gothic-style windows; a deep-blue, incredibly dramatic rib-vaulted ceiling; and even an elaborate Gothic arch. Seats 260 guests. Prices upon request.

Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum

895 Shore Rd., nr. Roosevelt Pl., the Bronx; 718-885-1461; bartowpellmansionmuseum.org

Nestled in the heart of Pelham Bay Park, this nineteenth-century stone mansion is a stunning backdrop for weddings held in its large formal garden. Open year-round, there are no restrictions, but couples planning winter weddings are responsible for arranging a source of heat. Outdoor and tented weddings only. Rental fees begin at $3,500 and depend on the number of guests.

Brooklyn Academy of Music

30 Lafayette Ave., at Ashland Pl., Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 718-636-4198; bam.org

This performing arts center has been around since the Civil War. BAMCafé, located above the Grand Lobby, holds up to 400 for a cocktail reception and the rental fee is just $1,500 (Brooklyn residents get a significant discount). Great Performances is the in-house caterer, and couples should note that house fees can significantly raise the price.

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Pkwy., nr. Washington Ave., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn; 718-501-6409; brooklynmuseum.org

One of the largest art museums in the country, the Brooklyn museum provides a majestic environment for a wedding. The recently renovated Beaux-Arts Court, with its magnificent arches, brass chandelier, and historical glass-block floor, can hold up to 700 guests for a seated dinner. The Rubin Pavilion and Grand Lobby can accommodate up to 1,000 guests for a cocktail reception. Rental fees start at $10,000 for a five-hour event. Catering by Restaurant Associates.

Central Park Zoo

830 Fifth Ave., nr. 64th St.; 212-439-6500; wcs.org

This iconic Central Park landmark is available for cocktail receptions year-round, and for sit-down dinners in the garden during warm weather months. Of course, sea lion demonstrations are possible. Plus, 100 percent of the fee goes to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Prices upon request.

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

2 E. 91st St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-849-8341; ndm.si.edu

Boasting the largest private garden in Manhattan, Cooper-Hewitt can ordinarily accommodate up to 90 guests for an indoor seated event, and up to 500 guests in the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden. However, it’s currently undergoing renovations and is available at a reduced capacity-around 150 guests. Couples have access to the entire space, including the Great Hall and galleries. Catering is provided through Restaurant Associates. Prices upon request.

The Council on Foreign Relations/ Harold Pratt House

58 E. 68th St., at Park Ave.; 212-434-9400; cfr.org

This grand turn-of-the-century mansion features a marble staircase that connects the ballroom to a variety of smaller wedding-ready spaces, from the library, complete with fireplace and wraparound balcony, to the dainty drawing room. The various spaces can hold up to 180 for a seated dinner; from $5,500.

The Delegates Dining Room United Nations Building

First Ave. at 45th St.; 212-963-7099; aramark-un.com

The U.N. building doesn’t allow religious ceremonies but will host a reception. Cocktail hour can be held on the West Terrace, with dinner served in the modernist Delegates Dining Room (with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the East River). Catering is in-house, starting at $175 per person; it offers a green menu with locally grown produce.

Faculty House at Columbia University

400 W. 117th St., nr. Morningside Dr.; 212-854-7192; columbia.edu/cu/fachouse

This former men’s club is a popular reception spot for couples getting married at Saint Paul’s Chapel, just across the street. On weekends, renters have access to the whole house, bedecked with brass chandeliers, period furniture, grandfather clocks, and fireplaces. The average cost is $120 per person for catering, plus $1,500 for the rental of the entire space.

The Frick Collection

1. E. 70th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-288-0700; frick.org

Those lucky enough to be a private member of the collection (from $25,000) are granted the privilege of using the space, but they must use an event planner. The lofty building, full of enormous arched brick doorways, is separated into three different areas-the entrance and reception hall, the Garden Court, and the Music Room-and accommodates up to 350 for cocktails and 200 for dinner.

Grand Central Terminal

42nd St. at Park Ave.; 212-340-3404; grandcentralterminal.com

Vanderbilt Hall, the old 12,000-square-foot main waiting room decorated with five of the original 1913 gold chandeliers and tons of pink marble, can be rented for weddings after 5 p.m., albeit at a cost: $25,000 and up. Couples can choose from twelve exclusive caterers to provide food and furnishings (that’s extra, of course). The space is unavailable from mid-November through the end of December.

The House of the Redeemer

7 E. 95th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-289-0399; houseoftheredeemer.org

The contents of the fifteenth-century wood-paneled library in this Italian-style palazzo were all imported by Cornelius Vanderbilt’s great-granddaughter, and the effect is straight out of the Renaissance. The first floor of the landmark house is available for a 100-person sit-down dinner; the second can hold receptions for 100 or fewer. Rental fees are $2,500 to $4,500.

Hudson Theatre

145 W. 44th St., nr. Broadway; 212-789-7502; millenniumbroadway.com

This landmark theater that opened in 1903 is one of the city’s oldest showplaces, offering soaring architecture and backlit, stained-glass Tiffany ceilings. For weddings, theater seating is replaced by beautiful tables that match the burgundy stage curtains and draperies. From $150 per person, which includes an overnight suite in the Millennium Hotel.

Jazz at Lincoln Center

33 W. 60th St., at Columbus Circle; 212-258-9829; jalc.org

Weddings here are few and far between, but it’s a standout venue. The Rose Theater is the perfect spot for a ceremony, followed by a reception in the Allen Room, an amphitheater that holds up to 600 for cocktails. Its most glorious feature is a wall of glass, through which you can see Central Park and Columbus Circle. Catering is by Great Performances. Prices upon request.

Merchants House Museum

29 E. 4th St., nr. Bowery; 212-777-1089; merchantshouse.com

This preserved nineteenth-century home boasts a granite-tiled garden filled with lush plants and cast-iron furniture. On the ground floor there is a dining room and a period kitchen, which can accommodate 75 people-if you include the garden, it can hold 125 guests. Prices upon request.

Museum of the City of New York

1220 Fifth Ave., at 103rd St.; 212-534-1672; mcny.org

The walls of the galleries are fortified by large Greek columns, and arched hallways connect the various galleries beset with oil paintings. The first and second floors (as well as the auditorium) are available for rent: $6,000 for the first floor; $4,500 for the second; $7,500 for both. Available only after five o’clock.

National Academy Museum

1083 Fifth Ave., nr. 89th St; 212-369-4880; nationalacademy.org

The Academy houses one of the country’s largest collections of nineteenth-through-twentieth-century American art, and is also a fantastic wedding venue. Located in a Beaux-Arts townhouse with a statue-flanked spiral staircase at its center, the one-time private residence holds up to 140 guests for cocktails and a seated dinner. Prices average $2,000 to $5,000.

New Museum

235 Bowery, nr. Prince St.; 212-219-1222; newmuseum.org

This stunning space for contemporary art on the Bowery proffers three reception halls. The all-white Sky Room (seats 120 for dinner, 200 for cocktails) is like a blank canvas, and the bird’s-eye view of lower and upper Manhattan from the wraparound terrace ($5,000 plus an individual donation) is gorgeous. Marcia Tucker Hall is nice for a cocktail soirée. Catering by Creative Edge.

New York Aquarium

602 Surf Ave., at 8th St., Coney Island, Brooklyn; 718-265-4740; nyaquarium.org

Here, couples can say "I do" outdoors, surrounded by walruses, penguins, and Willie the sea otter, followed by a candlelit reception in a room walled on one side by a 150,000-gallon coral garden. The rental fee is $7,500, 100 percent of which goes to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Parties must start after closing (4:30 p.m.), but can go on long into the night.

New York City Fire Museum

278 Spring St., nr. Hudson St.; 212-691-1303; nycfiremuseum.org

On the outskirts of Soho sits this two-floor museum filled with antique fire trucks and equipment. Couples can rent the 3,000-plus-square-foot third floor for the wedding and reception ($3,300) with access to the whole museum for eight hours (three hours are allotted for setup and cleanup).

New York Hall of Science

47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Corona; 718-699-0005; nyscience.org

With more than 400 interactive exhibits, the Hall of Science will entertain even the most jaded guests. Couples can have their wedding and reception (up to 250 guests) in the colorful, high-ceilinged Viscusi Gallery, and can serve cocktails for practically as many guests as you can imagine in the exhibition halls. $7,500.

The New York Public Library

476 Fifth Ave., at 41st St.; 212-930-0730; nypl.org/spacerental

This cultural landmark boasts three amazing spaces: the Celeste Bartos Forum, Astor Hall, and the McGraw Rotunda. Expect a lot of red tape to accompany just about every decision, but know that it’s worth it. Prices upon request.

The Top Deck at the Seamen's Church Institute

241 Water St., nr. Peck Slip; 212-349-9090; seamenschurch.org

Windows and skylights illuminate this interfaith chapel, which seats 85 to 90 people (with standing room as well). With glass walls and a wraparound terrace, the Top Deck provides spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the lower Manhattan skyline. The Ships Gallery can be used as a cocktail room for up to 120 guests. From $4,300.

South Street Seaport Museum

12 Fulton St., nr. East River Dr.; 212-748-8600; southstseaport.org

The South Street Seaport spaces aren’t just for nautical enthusiasts. Anyone with an affinity for open air and a respect for history will be thrilled, from the high-ceilinged Melville Gallery (holds 125 for cocktails) to the ships (the tall ship Peking or nineteenth-century schooner Pioneer that can sail up the river). Gallery rates start at $2,500; boat and pier rentals range from $5,000 to $15,000.

From the Winter 2008 New York Wedding Guide