What does luxury mean? The word luxury is used a lot in the wedding world. The true definition is something adding to pleasure or comfort, but not absolutely necessary. Most often we hear the word luxury associated with over-the-top weddings in which the client spends more than $200,000 on flowers; however, we agree to disagree that this does not necessarily mean that guests had a five-star dining experience. You could spend more than $200,000 on flowers, and over $1M on the wedding and guests could leave with complaints of food quality, service, etc.

This is why Jessica Jordan Events focuses on the experience, and not leaning entirely on decoration for a luxury experience. After all, it is the famous Maya Angelou that said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” People can show you a beautiful wedding, but it is the customer experience and how it made them feel that will make you remember the wedding. From the arrival to the departure experience, we strive to be instinctual and provide a personal experience with guests leaving with a one-of-a-kind experience when they attend your wedding.

The largest percentage of your budget is the venue/catering. If your budget allows for you to host the wedding at a luxury venue in NYC, the per person pricing will begin at $425 plus tax and service charges. When you are hosting an event at a luxury venue and spending approximately $80,000 in food and beverage plus tax and service charges, you should be asking the venue if they meet a five-star standard.  You may ask, what is a five-star venue? Forbes awards stars to hotels in the United States according to their service level. Three influencing factors for Forbes Five Star standards include 1. Exceptional and personal service 2. Attention to Detail and 3. Luxurious Amenities.  There are Forbes five-star standards, and the hotel is secretly tested annually to ensure they are meeting these standards. The fifth star may be easily removed if the staff is reduced or standards are not upheld. Hotels have annual training with Forbes in order to maintain the fifth star. Since Jessica has worked in five-star hotels, we can attest to the daily pressure of the fifth star and maintaining luxury language, never saying no, and always offering alternative options. 

Some venues are not hotels and do not offer luxurious amenities; therefore, they are not considered five stars. However, non-hotel venues match the dining five-star hotel requirements in order to maintain competitiveness. Below we have listed common standards in service level and visibility in which the customer would experience a luxury experience.

Service Levels:

  • 1 wait staff per (25) guests for cocktail reception
  • 1 wait staff per (10) guests for a plated dinner
  • 1 bartender per (50) guests
  • 1 busser per bartender
  • 1 wine steward per (2) tables

Appearance of Staff:

  • All staff in dark attire (no light grey or khaki colors)
  • No cotton blouses for women
  • No open toe shoes or sneakers
  • Business jacket and pants/skirt are cut from the same cloth
  • Hair to look natural, and pulled back out of face
  • Natural Make-up
  • No visible tattoos
  • Earrings dime size or smaller, no hoops
  • Men to be clean shaven or professionally groomed beard

We have included our top 5 luxury venues below in alphabetical order, and listed the pros and cons about each venue in our experience:

MANDARIN ORIENTAL NEW YORK

The Mandarin Oriental New York is one of our top favorite venues to work in. Not only did Jessica Jordan work for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, but our team has also partnered with Mandarin Oriental New York on several weddings. We love the luxury experience as soon as you step in the front door of the hotel.

Pros:

  • Breathtaking views of Manhattan Skyline and Central Park
  • Maximum 350 guests for dinner/dancing
  • Forbes 5 Star Dining and Hotel
  • Food is delicious/creative/innovative
  • Ron Ben-Israel wedding cake included in package
  • Dinner service is a synchronized and timed service unique to Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
  • On-site Forbes 5 Star Spa
  • Lobby-level speakeasy for after-party
  • Elevator expedites from lobby to event level, easy arrival experience
  • Amazing acoustics in main ballroom if you hire a band, I will say it’s the best in the city
  • Nice banquet chiavari chairs included
  • Guest restrooms include many stalls and are very luxurious
  • They include a wedding suite for the couple the night before the wedding as well as the night of the wedding complimentary (this is a huge value)
  • They include breakfast for the wedding party on the day of the wedding
  • They do not charge a site fee

Cons:

  • The carpet in the ballroom is bold
  • Cocktail hour is small, so they often need to use a portion of the ballroom or the rooms in the back hallway

RAINBOW ROOM

The Rainbow Room is an iconic is a private event space on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza at Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Run by Tishman Speyer, it is among the highest venues in New York City.

Opened in 1934, it was a focal point for the city’s elite, as well as one of the United States’ highest restaurants above ground. The Rainbow Room closed in 1942, due to World War II, and reopened in 1950. It received renovations in 1965 and 1985–1987, both of which sought to restore its original 1930s decor. Suffering from a decline in business following the financial crisis of 2007–08, the Rainbow Room closed in 2009. In 2012, the Rainbow Room was declared a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The restaurant reopened in 2014, following a renovation, serving classic and contemporary American cuisine. In 2017, the American Institute of Architects gave the Rainbow Room an award for outstanding interior architecture. 

Pros:

  • 360-degree jaw-dropping views from the 65th floor
  • Maximum 250 guests for dinner/dancing
  • Art deco interiors, timeless
  • Fine Dining Banquet Service
  • Ron Ben-Israel wedding cake is included in package
  • Completely exclusive buyout
  • Buyout includes all bartender, culinary fees
  • Surround-sound provided by Bentley Meeker
  • Luxury linens and fanfare chairs included
  • Guest restrooms include many stalls and are very luxurious
  • Private suite for couple adjacent to ballroom
  • Original rotating dance floor

Cons:

  • There is a $45,000 buyout/site fee
  • They require you to use their in-house audio-visual/lighting company which begins at $30,000

THE PIERRE, A TAJ HOTEL

Gracing the corner of East 61st street and Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, the hotel in New York City exudes a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, accentuated by a staff-to-guest ratio of 3:1, ensuring you receive personalized and attentive service.

When we think of the Pierre Hotel, we think of the definition of luxury. The staff always says yes and always thinks ahead. The lobster salad is a staple on their banquet menu and the presentation is beautiful. Every time my clients host their wedding at The Pierre, the service level impresses them every time. The staff has been there forever and takes the time to get to know you, they feel like family. The main ballroom was renovated in 2020, including both traditional chandeliers and moder contemporary design. They have many suite options for the couple as well as parents and wedding party getting ready.

Pros:

  • Renovated ballroom
  • They offer two ballrooms, one for ceremony and one for dinner so that you do not have to flip the room for dinner saving everyone stress
  • Maximum 250 guests for dinner/dancing
  • Plenty of options for indoor photography, this is great for a wedding with inclement weather
  • Forbes 5 Star Dining & Hotel
  • Ron Ben-Israel wedding cake is included in package
  • Completely exclusive buyout
  • They include a wedding suite for the couple the night before the wedding as well as the night of the wedding complimentary (this is a huge value)
  • They include breakfast for the wedding party on the day of the wedding

Cons

  • The Cotillion Room, Rotunda and the Ballroom décor do not match
  • They require you to use their in-house audio-visual/lighting company
  • There is no view

THE PLAZA

For over 100 years, The Plaza has been the New York hotel to see and be seen. Kings, presidents, and stars of stage and screen have all gathered and stayed at The Plaza. The most lavish social affairs, as well as classic Hollywood films have all used the legendary hotel as their setting. The Plaza’s fabled Grand Ballroom has long been home to landmark events, C-level conferences, and lavish galas. Over 50 years ago, A-list celebrities and society’s elite gathered in The Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom for Truman Capote’s “Black & White Ball”. This century’s equivalent, Saturday Night Lives’ 40th Anniversary After Party, brought together the modern-day stars. CPS Events works to uphold the culinary mastery and personal service that has defined The Plaza and New York City meetings, events and celebrations since 1907.

Pros:

  • Iconic landmark
  • Food quality is great
  • Ron Ben-Israel wedding cake is included in package
  • Beautiful photography opportunities, inside and outside
  • Nice acoustics
  • Existing stage (optional)

Cons:

  • There is no wedding suite included, it is additional
  • Guestrooms are old, dark and dingy
  • The room for cocktail hour is separated between two rooms if you host a large wedding
  • The paint in the main ballroom is in desperate need of repair and a new coat of paint, as well as carpeting needs replaced
  • There is a site fee for the ballroom in addition to the ceremony fee
  • They require in-house lighting company which is a minimum of $45,000
  • After party room (Oak Room) they use a clicker and they will bill you, so if you use the restroom, you may be charged twice
  • There is no view

THE WALDORF ASTORIA

The Waldorf Astoria New York is a luxury hotel and condominium residence in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, United States. Both the exterior and the interior of the Waldorf Astoria are designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as official landmarks.

The Waldorf Astoria has been known for its lavish dinner parties and galas, often at the center of political and business conferences and fundraising schemes involving the rich and famous. The Presidential Suite was the residence of Herbert Hoover from his retirement for over 30 years, and Frank Sinatra kept a suite at the Waldorf from 1979 until 1988. Some of the luxury suites were named after celebrities who lived or stayed in them, including Cole Porter, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Douglas MacArthur, and Winston Churchill.

The Waldorf Astoria will host larger events, starting with 200 guests.

Pros:

  • Iconic landmark
  • Entirely new renovated hotel
  • Food quality is great
  • Ron Ben-Israel wedding cake is included in package
  • They include a wedding suite for the couple the night before the wedding as well as the night of the wedding complimentary (this is a huge value)
  • Beautiful photography opportunities, inside and outside
  • Existing Stage, Juliette balconies
  • Nice acoustics

Cons:

  • Starting price for the venue is $500,000
  • They require in-house lighting company
  • There is no view

Our question to you is, what is important to you? What are your dealbreakers and what will influence you to select a venue? There are so many options in NYC; however, you will never make a bad decision if you invest in a 5 star luxury venue.