So . . . I thought 150 guests for a seated reception and dancing was a good number. How wrong i was. I was told its too big to be a small wedding and too small to be a big wedding in Manhattan. 
I feel like the skinny fat kid. I looked at 13! different venues over 2 marathon days to not love any of them. Not that price doesn't matter but even in my dream world i thought there would be something i fell in love with and low and behold I felt blah about them all. (list below) My favorite was the Gramercy Park Hotel b/c of its character & location, but it is too small and does not allow for live music. I thought the Standard, the Ace or theGansevoort Park Ave would be perfect but again 150 for dinner with dancing is much too large. Any suggestions on a location that might work? Appreciate any and all thoughts!!! I am so lost . . .
List we looked at:
Trump Soho (felt sterile and difficult to shuffle 150 guests into elevators for 1. ceremony, 2 cocktails and 3 reception)
Gustavino's
Tribeca Rooftop
583 Park (no alcohol allowed)
Ritz Battery Park (sterile)
Pierre Hotel (pricey)
Metropolitan Club ($$$$$)
Harmonie Club
River Park Restaurant
Burden Kahn/Mansion (the band would have to be alone in a separate room leaving the doors open)
American museum history (their basic room, i.e. not an exhibit, felt like a high school gym)
Gramercy Park Hotel (too small and did not allow a band)
Mandarin Oriental ($$$$$)
Bowery Hotel (next to a meth clinic) 