The New York Palace is known as one of New York City’s most stunning venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions, offering exceptional service and 24,000 square feet of elegant space. The hotel is home to landmarked brownstone architecture, a placid courtyard, and an array of flexible spaces for gatherings of any size.
Newlywed Jayme Beth Norton recently hosted her wedding and reception at The Palace. She was kind enough to field a few questions on her experience at the New York City wedding venue – from the planning process to her grand entrance to the New York-themed cuisine at the reception.
1. What was the most memorable piece of your wedding experience at The New York Palace?
As a bride, one of the most anticipated moments was the first time my husband would see me in my gown. We placed that “reveal” on the grand staircase of The Palace because it was the most regal and ornate backdrop to our moment. Our family and friends were cheering from the balcony. Even strangers wandering in from Madison Avenue were caught up in the electricity of our moment. This is something I will never forget.
2. Why would you recommend The Palace for a wedding or reception?
Service and attention to detail were one of the several reasons why we would recommend the Palace. Many brides warned me about all the things that could go wrong on your wedding day, but this was not possible at the Palace. I felt confident that our day would go off without a hitch. Prior to the wedding, Billy P. was always responsive to our questions and helped us plan our reception exactly the way we wanted it. Keep in mind, we were planning this from our home in Boston several hundred miles away. We still felt that it was a very personalized experience.
3. Which elements of The Palace’s dining, drinks, and food and beverage services most stood out to you?
The food was over the top with creativity and quality. Our guests raved over how delicious everything was. The bartenders and servers were efficient and very friendly. The staff even made sure to stock the bar with our favorite beer and spirits. Since our theme was Old New York, we wanted a Coney Island hot dog stand. Billy suggested that we do a New York themed table with hot dogs, knishes, hot pretzels and roasted chestnuts. It was outstanding! Additionally, having a cake made be the Sweet Genius Chef Ron Ben Israel was a truly fabulous experience!
4. How did the hotel’s newly renovated spaces contribute to the overall wedding experience?
We had several unique settings for our wedding; including the newly renovated lobby paired with an historic grand courtyard entrance. The new bar was a fabulous place for our guests to socialize without having to coordinate a meeting spot outside the hotel. The pastry shop was a perfect new addition as well. The ceremony space was great. The Holmes room was spacious with beautiful woodwork and gorgeous new chandeliers from Italy. The Bridal Suite was the absolute best room we’ve ever stayed in: a marble master bath, a huge bedroom with a big fluffy bed, an enormous living room with a wrap-around couch that fit my entire bridal party comfortably and a kitchen that was used to set up the perfect bridal luncheon. The renovations were perfect.
Special thanks to Julian Ribinik for the photography.