WPCNR'S THE REAL DEAL. By The Wedding Jeannie. Jeannie Uyanik. December 15, 2007: As we have discussed in previous columns, securing a venue for an event is one of the most important elements of planning a party.  While there are many exceptional venues, from hotels to catering halls and restaurants to lofts, there are a few locations that stand out as extraordinary, either in their unique ability to awe guests, or by virtue that most people never would have thought a party was allowed there.   Most come with a hefty price tag and require the use of a professional planner (more on hiring planners next week) but others are more reasonable and accessible than people imagine.

Jeannie Uyanik, Planner to the World

The Wedding Jeannie

WPCNR Columnista

We alluded to one in last week’s column – Ellis Island (www.ellisisland.com).  The restored main hall combines both a formal elegance with a historical rawness that you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere.  Given the size of the space, all parts of even large events could take place indoors with spectacular views of Manhattan, but you also do have the option of using a tent.  Your guests arrive via ferry (with departure from either New Jersey’s Liberty State Park or New York City’s Battery Park and dock directly in front of the museum, which instantly sets the stage for a magical affair.  There is of course an exclusive caterer, Aramark, and fees for use of the space and the ferry are certainly something to think about; National Park Service Fee of about $20,000, use of the Circle Line Ferry about $8,500 and then start adding the per person food and rental fees. 

Another exceptional historic site is the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (http://www.cooperhewitt.org/), a branch of the Smithsonian since 1967, Cooper-Hewitt is housed in the landmark Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City and is the only museum devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design.  The great hall for smaller seated events (around 90) can be extraordinary, or the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden tented for affairs of up to 500 guests.  Plan on investing about $25,000 depending on the time of year just for use of this exclusive and beautiful space. 

But it’s not the only museum act in town; its west side rival, The Museum of Natural History (www.amnh.org) is a space that many don’t realize one can rent, and often at prices far below other East Side haunts.  The one thing that both museums share in common is the exclusive caterer at both locations, Restaurant Associates.  Couples and families considering the museum are often surprised that the most popular space, Powerhouse, is a classic loft space that used to house the museum’s coal generators.  The expansive views of the garden and the Rose Center put a modern touch on the historic site and definitely combine culture, elegance and fun. 

It would be hard to argue though that of all the most well known, magnificent, historic event options in New York City the New York Public Library (http://www.nypl.org/spacerental/) is a tough act to follow. The marble foyer of Astor Hall and the main entrance to the library can either be the first act in the program, leading to a seated dinner in the Celeste Bartos Forum, or can be a stand alone, awe inspiring reception location.  Just knowing that all those books surround you and your guests from all sides can make you feel smart for choosing the library as a location for an event!  But it does not come cheap; Astor Hall alone will run about $20,000 to host an event and if you choose to use it in conjunction with the larger Bartos Forum, the tab will come to $50,000 total. 

If you would prefer to whisk your guests away literally rather than emotionally, the Abigail K Yacht (Abigail Kirsch – www.abigailkirsch.com), a 130-foot oceangoing vessel that was recently renovated to provide a comfortable and elegant dining and cruising experience, complete with sweeping views of the city, is an easy choice for something out of the ordinary.  Of course, be sure that your guests have no where to be quickly, and perhaps provide Dramamine at every place setting, but if dry land seems passé to you, this is definitely an alternative that does not require a destination type event. 

Although if going the distance is not an obstacle, a location that requires a bit more driving but no airport security lines, and is reminiscent of grander times, would be Boscobel (http://www.boscobel.org/).  Completed in 1808, Boscobel is situated on a bluff on the east bank of the Hudson River opposite the United States Military Academy at West Point. The house museum and surrounding grounds and gardens encompass 45 acres and would offer guests memorable views of the Hudson Highlands and the Hudson River.  Boscobel’s grounds are available for rental for outdoor, tented events for a reasonable price of about $5,000 (not less though).  Availability is usually the month of May, the last three weeks in September and the month of October.    The event may take place for a four and a half hour period between the hours of 1pm and 10pm, with extensions on occasion a possibility. 

While Boscobel is definitely not a location to consider if you want to party and dance through the night, the Jazz at Lincoln Center (http://www.jazzatlincolncenter.com/) spaces would be.  “Dramatically perched over Columbus Circle”, according to The New York Times, the Center features two performing arts arenas, Rose Theater and The Allen Room.  The Atrium has magnificent floor to ceiling windows overlooking Central Park and while the views are priceless, so is the price tag.  Between space rental fess and security and technical costs, pricing for an event there will begin at the $80,000 mark just to walk through the door. 

And finally, if you are looking for grandeur, without big city lights or prices, the Tobacco Warehouse (www.bbpc.net) could be a good fit.  Originally built by the Lorillard family, the raw space sits on the upland of Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, just north of the Brooklyn Bridge, and just south of the Empire Stores.  Together, these landmark 19th century warehouses are vivid reminders of the shipping activity that once defined the downtown Brooklyn waterfront. The total size of the Warehouse is approximately 25,000 square feet, offering an 18,000 square-foot, column-free footprint, which can easily be tented and designed in a host of ways.  Imagination is the only obstacle there. 

Lest I seem too awed by my own awe inspiring suggestions, please remember that I love the wineries, lofts, lounges, restaurants, hotel ballrooms and traditional event catering halls as much as the next person.  But it is that time of year, so taking the sleigh instead of the bus seemed appropriate.