Weddings > Planner

Location, Location, Location

Planners’ favorite venues and how to party in each, depending on your reception needs.

By Arielle Winnik

632 on Hudson

(Photo: Dave Robbins)

Estimated costs include space rental and catering:
$ - $100-$200 per head
$$ - $200-$300 per head
$$$ - $300-$400 per head
$$$$ - $500+ per head

If You...	Are Inviting Your Nearest and Dearest
Jung Lee of Fête	Ukrainian Institute of America (The Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion) (2 E. 79th St., at Fifth Ave.; 212-288-8660; ukranianinstitute.org) $$$	“It’s a jewel of a mansion with views of Central Park that not many people know about. It feels like a private home. It has charm and character, and you can bring in an off-premise caterer. Invite 90 guests for cocktails on the third floor; dinner on the second, and go back up to the third floor for dancing and dessert.” Caveat: “A bit ‘lived-in,’ but you can disguise that with design.” Also try: Harold Pratt House
Xochitl Gonzalez of Always a Bridesmaid	Soho Grand Hotel (310 W. Broadway, nr. Canal St.; 212-519-6642; sohogrand.com) $$	“Host cocktails for 50 guests inside the north penthouse loft—it looks like a modern, two-bedroom apartment—and dinner on the terrace, which has views of the Empire State. After, have a dance party inside. Fill the footed tub with ice and Champagne for a sexy, self-serve bar.” Caveat: “The suite’s big enough for a D.J., but you can’t move furniture for more dancing room.” Also try: Williamsburg Penthouse
Ellen Kostman of SideKick Events	632 on Hudson (632 Hudson St., nr. Horatio St.; 212-620-7631; 632onhudson.com) $$$	“A gorgeous house decorated with artsy, eccentric touches (e.g., gargoyles, a Chinese bed), that’s ideal for a 100-person roving cocktail party. Do a different, themed food station in every room. Guests can roam the entire house, all the way up to the rooftop garden. For dancing, a D.J. can set up on the ground floor, near the library.” Caveat: “There’s no room for a band.” Also try: Ramscale

If You...

Are Inviting Your Nearest and Dearest

Jung Lee

of Fête

Ukrainian Institute of America (The Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion)

(2 E. 79th St., at Fifth Ave.; 212-288-8660; ukranianinstitute.org)

$$$

“It’s a jewel of a mansion with views of Central Park that not many people know about. It feels like a private home. It has charm and character, and you can bring in an off-premise caterer. Invite 90 guests for cocktails on the third floor; dinner on the second, and go back up to the third floor for dancing and dessert.”

Caveat: “A bit ‘lived-in,’ but you can disguise that with design.”

Also try: Harold Pratt House

Xochitl Gonzalez

of Always a Bridesmaid

Soho Grand Hotel

(310 W. Broadway, nr. Canal St.; 212-519-6642; sohogrand.com)

“Host cocktails for 50 guests inside the north penthouse loft—it looks like a modern, two-bedroom apartment—and dinner on the terrace, which has views of the Empire State. After, have a dance party inside. Fill the footed tub with ice and Champagne for a sexy, self-serve bar.”

Caveat: “The suite’s big enough for a D.J., but you can’t move furniture for more dancing room.”

Also try: Williamsburg Penthouse

Ellen Kostman

of SideKick Events

632 on Hudson

(632 Hudson St., nr. Horatio St.; 212-620-7631; 632onhudson.com)

$$$

“A gorgeous house decorated with artsy, eccentric touches (e.g., gargoyles, a Chinese bed), that’s ideal for a 100-person roving cocktail party. Do a different, themed food station in every room. Guests can roam the entire house, all the way up to the rooftop garden. For dancing, a D.J. can set up on the ground floor, near the library.”

Caveat: “There’s no room for a band.”

Also try: Ramscale