Classic NY Themed Wedding--Ideas

tychandler · July 2010

I have always been inspired by old Hollywood films, at first I was thinking I wanted an Old Hollywood Glam wedding, but then I thought. Many of these movies were filmed in NY (like Sabrina and Breakfast at Tiffanys) and what is really more glamorous than the NYC, the very symbol of style and sophistication. So that's my new theme, but my wedding is formal and I want to take a classic approach, think about the days when the rich and famous went to exclusive venues like El Morrocco, The Stork and Cotton Clubs.

Here's the problem, there isn't much online when it comes to NY themed weddings, except for Yankees, hot dogs and yellow cabs. That doesn't really fit for a formal event. I also see Breakfast at Tiffany's themed weddings, but I don't want it to be more about NY than the film. The wedding will be at Terrace on the Park's Penthouse. Amazing city views, spiting distance from the Old World's fair site. I am thinking about using postcards for the table numbers and candy apples as flavors with a note that says "Thanks for coming to our Big Apple Wedding." The apples may be a little tough since it will be in August, but its worth a try. Any other ideas?

tychandler · July 2010

One more thing, I think I want the guests to take their seats to Frank Sinatra's New York and then the bridal party enters to Jay Z's Empire State of Mind.

IDO10611 · July 2010

First off congratulations! I see you are thinking ahead like me. My wedding tentatively is scheduled for 10/9/11 or 11/11/11. I have not yet decided. But back to your plans.

1. Being a City gal, I think your theme is great. If you are doing the Big Apple theme. I would give candy apples dressed in formal tuxedos (dipped in dark chocolate w/ white chocolate bow tie, buttons, etc) as favors. You can also have the brides dress (White chocolate w/ sugar beads) as the 2nd apple. Thereby keeping with your formal theme.

2. What type of postcards will you use at the table #'s. Maybe you can have each table represent a landmark in NY e.g. Statute of Liberty, Empire state Plaza, Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, Yankee Stadium--->> you get my drift? things that's associated with NY.

3.The JayZ idea is great you can even use Alicia Keys version too, which is more mellow. But with Jay-Z's version make sure its clean so that it does not offend any of the guests.

4. Also you can give apple paperweights, the small ones. You can even have them engraved or have the tag on it saying thanks for coming to our wedding. But edible favors are really good.

Lastly, are you using Terrace's caterers or outside caterers? & did you customize your menu?

IDO10611 · July 2010

I just stumbled upon this page about terrace on the park you should definitely read it.

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3719073403/terrace-on-the-park-corona#reviews

tychandler · July 2010

Thanks for the ideas. I didn't think of apple paperweights, that could work too. I was thinking about making each table a landmark. I am so surprised that there aren't more ideas online for a NY themed wedding. Congratulations to you too. Have you booked a venue yet? I checked a few places, but TOP had the best deal and view. I read a lot of reviews, it seems people either loved it or hated it, so I brought my concerns to the banquet manager, he addressed them and so we booked. We have the penthouse, we are the priority event. I am hiring a wedding coordinator so they can be on top of TOP so nothing falls through the cracks. I am really excited about the venue.

IDO10611 · July 2010

Yeah, the big apple weights are a good idea too. No I havenot found a place. I'm actually going tomorrow to look at places: Picnic HOuse, BoatHouse, Palm House, Douglass Manor, the Princess Manor, Bubby's, Tuscan something - its in the Bronx. There are so many places. My sister who is my MOH really wants me to book the Picnic House, since they have so many different caterers & based on the menu I narrowed it down to 2. I'm just really specific on what i need served during the cocktail hour & 1 of the entrees have to be traditional cultural dish.

The problem I'm having is all of these places look the same. I really want someone to come & place white sheer drapes along all the walls, I have my vision I just need someone who can execute it. The wedding is definitely modern chic. I'm a nY Fashionista & my style has to definitely be captured throughout my wedding. Anywho, It appears that you MUST have a WC for the day of the event although every venue offer u some beck & call person but they always seem to be M.I.A on the day in question.

We are actually going to do a traditional song then break out to a more upbeat, choreographed dance including the bridal party. Its going to be a hit! especially since my fiance loves to party so its a must that its a party atmosphere.

What else are you looking to do that NY inspired? U know u can give all of your guest "I Love NY" t-shirts. I know that may seem cheesy but, hey its themed related. lol. during the cocktail hour you can play all NY inspired music or songs w/ the word NY in them.

during cocktail hr u can serve all foods thats ny inspired

1. hotdogs (but u know a little exotic) e.g. Nathan Franks

2. pizza, serve Margehita (sounds like margarita)

3.cheesecake (juniors, theres nothing like it)

foods that originated in NY

1. reuben sandwich

2. waldorf salad

3. general tso chicken (no kidding)

4. eggs benedict

5. lobster newburg

6.bagels

7.manhattan clam chowder

8. i gave u pizza

9. i gave u the hotdog

10.delmonico steak

I hope that helps.

lol

tychandler · July 2010

Good luck in finding a venue. I looked at the Picnic House, it was too small, I'm having about 200 guests and at least from the outside it really looks like a park picnic house. The Palm House is so beautiful, but so expensive too. I contacted Bubbys, it is affordable, great location and nice venue. The issue is I wanted a venue where I could have ceremony and reception at the same site and with Empire Fulton Ferry Park nearby is closed for renovations, so no place to have a larger ceremony nearby. If you want something modern and sleek with a definite NY Vibe, have you taken a look at Stage 6 at the BK Navy Yard. I just love it. Because of I'm having so many guests, it ended being to pricey for me. But it is catered by Abigail Kirsh.

Thanks for the ideas, we do hve a lot of out of towners coming in, but we are New Yorkers, so I don't think my family will appreciate I Love NY t-shirts. Still there is lot to work. I want to keep it formal, I was disappointed that many of the lonline ideas didn't take in account that a NY wedding could be formal. Maybe they don't realize that NY is the epitome of style and sophistication

IDO10611 · July 2010

I looked at every venue in Brooklyn, including Stage 6, the problem w/ this venue is you have to fully decorate it! I need David Tutera in my life lol. A nY themed wedding is modern & chic unless its old NY which is very Black tie traditional. NY is forever changing trends so theres no one typical NY themed. there are things that are strictly NY which i posted earlier. But I'm not sure what else are u looking to do?

Well I'm checking out Addison Park in NJ, Douglaston Manor in Queens. I went to galapagos art space - its beautiful in person. I went by bubbys but couldnt enter b/c they were having aprivate event. It looked beautiful from the outside.

I donont necessarily need a place where i can have the ceremony & reception. I actually prefer to keep them separate. If i book bubbys or the art space, maybe i can say i do outdoors. Not sure how thats going to par since its a fall wedding sometimes its cold. But i think i will get married early, like noon or something.

Thank GOD I have over a year to finish this. I will have everything booked by October. hopefully

tychandler · July 2010

Don't wait too long, because venues get booked very fast. I intended to waith until the end of summer to book, until I started making calls and realized how few summer 2011 dates were available or just too expensive. My first choice was the BK Museum of Art, but 10 k is just the rental fee and they have an exclusive caterer so that was out. I even considered going for a venue that has a lot of character, but I could create my vision from scratch, like the BK Masonic temple. But after talking to one of my friends who is an event planner, I realized I did not want the headache of having a venue where I have to do everything. If I had David Tutera, yeah, but renting chairs, tables and dishware, finding a caterer and decorating, sounded like a good idea but I'll pass.

Do you plan to hire a wedding planner, that will help with the decor. Your florists can handle a lot as well,. Are you still lookin for ideas?

IDO10611 · July 2010

I have some great news for your theme. I inquired to Bubby's & they sent me 908! pictures. like really. anyways I went thru them.lmao. & there was a NYC theme. The escort cards were miniature yellow taxi cabs that had the person names attached to it via a place card. All the cars lined the table that the Empire State Plaza model stood on. I thought that was so clever. Another person, get this, used NYC transit metrocards as the escort cards. & on each card was a sticker of one of the many trains in NYC e.g.. A train, 7 train, 4 train. The tables were numbered by the train lines. so table 1 was table A, table #2 was table B (train), this person found the same replicas u c on the train & had them represent the tables. Another person had like we both previously stated, named the tables after famous/historical landmarks throughout ny. eg prospect park, central park, times square, penn station, etc etc.

Yes I am hiring a wedding planner, I found one, she's cool. We'll talk about price I guess after I book the place, she said.lol. I think I'm leaning towards Addison Park in NJ. I'm going to see that place this week & Douglaston Manor. I definitely have to see the Palm House in person. If the caterer can make what I want then I'm going to just go for the Palm House - I think. But we will see.

I saw Bubby's yesterday & its nice & intimate for my party of about 80 but they're very plain. I'm more of a do-it-yourself kind of lady & my event almost always come out fabulous. Why should I hire a florist to design my flowers. I know what flowers I want & I know how to arrange them. I will hire the planner to see that my items are placed how I want them on the tables & what not. Plus most of these venues give u a maitri-d so they *the D & the planner" can work together.

I'm not sure if the Palm House is going to do exactly what I need them to do & with that said, I'd rather find a less expensive place that can carry out my vision then a very expensive place that thinks things should be done their way.

Anyway what do u think about the city ideas? Did you discover anything new?

IDO10611 · July 2010

One more thing. You thought it was cheesy, but one of the weddings have everything " I Luv Bklyn" from tote bags, t-shirts in 3 difft sizes, water bottles w/ the labels on them, & something else I cant remember. lol

AdamL · July 2010

I like the I Luv Bklyn, I think the 'I Love NY' concept can be interesting if you update it a bit.

I love all the suggestions so far and I may steal som for when me & my ladyy get married lol. sO far I plan to go with oceanaballroom in brooklyn but I would say no to juniors cheesecake, its classic but idk, I always loved cakeman raven in brooklyn, its tastier and less cliche. Maybe some sex in the city inspired things?

Good luck with the NYC wedding!

IDO10611 · July 2010

Adam dont get me wrong Cakeman raven has a fab coconut cake (to die for) & the redvelvet w/ the nuts is great too. but theres no cheesecake like Juniors. Congrats on your engagement as well. I think Im skipping NYC altogether & getting married in NJ at this place called Addison Park. This place is me!. I hope they're reasonable.

-Happy Planning!

teewall · February 2012

so what did you girls decide on your decorating ideas? i'm from maryland and we eloped in central park at the ladies pavilion on xmas eve. absolutely loved it, so romantic. we are now planning a reception at the firehouse in our city in maryland. my ideas were to decorate each of our guest tables as some of our favorite places in ny. like you, it's hard finding decorations, especially at a low cost. we're paying for everything ourselves so we could use all the help we can get. have you girls gotten married yet and what did you end up doing?

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