BB Venues We Love: Gotham Hall

 

Gotham Hall will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was one of the first major venues in New York City that Bride & Blossom had the pleasure to decorate back in 2011. Built in 1924 when it served as The Greenwich Savings Bank, the space radiates timeless New York elegance from floor to ceiling. What makes Gotham Hall so remarkable from a wedding florist’s standpoint is that despite the distinctive atmosphere, the venue caters to a myriad of décor styles ranging from classic to whimsical to modern.

Making a couple’s wedding vision come to life is dependent on what goes on behind-the-scenes. The expert professional staff at Gotham Hall offers guidance and support to their clients, ensuring that the wedding planning experience is seamless and stress free from start to finish. Still reeling from Stefanie and Mike’s unforgettable Gotham Hall wedding that took place last fall, we decided to have Stephanie Black, Director of Catering & Events, answer some questions as part of our BB Venues We Love blog series.

 

 

Couples have a pick of wedding venues to consider in New York City. What makes Gotham Hall so unique?
Gotham Hall, a landmark venue in midtown Manhattan, hosts only one event at a time, which enables us to focus on providing the epitome of personalized service. We walk through the planning process with our clients and deliver white glove service throughout the experience to customize their wedding at Gotham Hall.

 

 

Can you tell us about the spaces available to couples planning to get married at Gotham Hall?
We only host one wedding in a day, which means our brides and grooms have access to all our event rooms. They can start their day getting ready in the elegant York & Sawyer Suite or in our gorgeous wood-paneled Oak Room. When guests arrive, our staff welcomes them in the lobby, where tall filigree doors are flanked by escort cards. Making their way to the adjourning Lounge, guests can enjoy a glass of champagne while mingling with others. When it is time for the ceremony, guests are ushered into our breathtaking column-free Ballroom that boasts 70’ high ceilings and a 3,000 square foot stained glass dome. After the happy couple says their “I DO’s,” guests make their way onto our magnificent Mezzanine to enjoy a customized menu created by Executive Chef Joshua Crane. Following cocktail hour, guests return to a transformed Ballroom where they experience a three-course dinner and dancing against the backdrop of our iconic venue, complete with our exceptional service.

 

 

 

Can you tell us about the Gotham Hall experience? How does your planning and work ensure that your clients have the wedding of their dreams?
At Gotham Hall, we believe that not all weddings are the same. We steer away from the “wedding factory” experience, working with our clients to create a wedding that reflects their personalities and their vision – whether that is through unique décor or customized menus.

 

 

Gotham Hall is a New York City Landmark Building with a distinct history. The venue personifies classic New York style in its striking architecture and timeless ambiance. How can a couple make the most of this on their special day?
We love when our brides and grooms showcase the exclusive elements of Gotham Hall before and during their wedding . . . from creating invitations that reflect our unique gold-leaf honeycombed design and one-of-a-kind 3,000 square foot stained-glass ceiling to tying in “classic New York City” at our iconic location, Gotham Hall truly delivers a memorable wedding experience that guests will be talking about long after the party is over.

 

 

Does Gotham Hall accommodate a space for the bride and her bridal party to get ready?
Yes, our brides can get ready for their special day in the two-room York & Sawyer Suite that provides comfortable yet stylish lounge furniture, a private restroom, and bright lighting that is perfect for hair and makeup preparations. In addition, our grooms can get ready in the Oak Room, a warm and ambient space located on the main level that features paneled walls, hand-cut dentil molding, and an original ornamental fireplace.

 

 

How far in advance should a couple that wants to get married at Gotham Hall contact the venue? Do seasons affect availability?
We recommend contacting us a year in advance. The Fall is our busiest wedding season, closely followed by the Spring months. Clients will find more limited availability in those months than in the Winter or Summer months.

Do you offer a vendor list to your clients? Do couples have the option to bring in their own vendors?
Gotham Hall has a preferred vendor list to assist our clients. However, we welcome their own insured vendors except for lighting, sound, and staging, which we have exclusive partners for.

 

 

Cuisine is a very important component of a wedding and often reflects a couple’s tastes and cultural backgrounds. Can you tell us about the various catering options that you offer?
Our Executive Chef Joshua Crane has created unique menus for our clientele to select from with various options to customize as well. His vast experience allows him to personalize menus according to clients’ needs while keeping the culinary experience elevated and refined.

 

 

 

We’ve had the wonderful opportunity to do a handful of weddings at Gotham Hall over the years – it’s been great to see how the venue works with all the different styles. We are wondering what are your favorite ways to see the venue decorated?
We enjoy it most when we see Gotham Hall transformed with new designs that embrace our historically registered and preserved architecture. The décor and stylistic possibilities are endless and often highlight our solid limestone Corinthian columns at each end of the hall’s oval and our ornate stained-glass skylight. The sky truly is the limit when it comes to quality, service, and making memories at Gotham Hall.

Indeed! A big thank you to Stephanie Black for sharing her insider knowledge about Gotham Hall. For more information, visit: gothamhallevents.com