Venue Tour: India House/Bayard’s

India House is a veritable fixture of the Financial District. It’s legend precedes it. When my father dabbled in maritime law straight after school, this was the place to be. Located at 1 Hanover Square, India House is across the street from the British Gardens and down the street from both Fraunces Tavern and Delmonico’s. Stone Street, which is lined with usually hopping restaurants, cafes, and bars (including a Financier!) runs along its western side. You really cannot ask for a better downtown location. This landmark is easily accessible by all forms of transportation.

India House was the last venue I looked at but was one of the first I called. It was overlooked for a visit because of a silly confusion. Back in February, I called Bayard’s because I had read about it on some website. It took me a while to finally connect Bayard’s as the catering service for India House. That said, the food at India House is definitely one of its huge pluses.

The Blue Bar at the India House looking out onto Pearl Street

Cocktails at the India House would be severed between two first floor rooms–the Blue Bar and the (red) Hanover Room. Both are stunning. While the Blue Bar exudes cool comfort, the Hanover Room transports you back into a golden age with its lush red walls, Chinese tapestries, and crystal chandeliers. Hosting a cocktail party on the first floor is like hosting it in your own grand mansion. You automatically feel very “at home.” But of course, I can’t help but note that the division of the rooms is odd and can sever your guest list.

The Hanover Room looking north - seeing the chandelier from the street at night, breathtaking!

Moving on to the second floor, there is an alternative space for a cocktail hour or a space, for a small group, for a sit-down dinner or buffet. Called the Garden View Room, this set of this rooms make a U-shape.

The largest room or the "bottom" of the U of the Garden View Room

These rooms are great, super bright and airy; however, you must like or at least be able to stand maritime art. The India House is practically a maritime art museum! Those ships cannot be sunk! What on the walls, stays on the walls.

The Marine Room at the India House

This brings us to the third floor or the Marine Room. It’s west side looks out onto Stone Street. This orange, blue, and white room is very large and very versatile. The India House brochure states that it can seat 200 for dinner, though with a dance floor, we’re talking more like 130-150, maximum. While décor is minimal, you do have to contend with two gigantic models ships at each end.

The view from the third floor onto the second floor Garden View Room

Pros: no rental fee; all tables/chairs/etc. inclusive; in-house catering; additional time at cost; facilities on first and third floors; suitable elevator (to all floors)

Cons: maritime theme; $75 non-refundable/non-transferable tasting; very dark and steep staircase leading from the second to third floors

Conclusion: This venue is tried and trusted, but it does leave those looking for a little pizzazz a little sea sick.

Venue Tour: Pratt Mansions

For every polished positive of the Pratt Mansions, there is a tarnished negative. I have never wanted to love a venue more than I have wanted to love the Pratt Mansions. Alas, no can do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The geographical location—Fifth Avenue at 84th Street—is to die for. Imagine your wedding portraits being taken on a balcony overlooking the Metropolitan Museum of Art or being whisked away into a horse-drawn carriage for a grand exit through Central Park at the end of the night. Unfortunately, the buildings’ day job—as home to the Marymount School for girls—leaves you feeling like you’re more likely headed to the principal’s office than an affair to remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The buildings at 1028, 1027, and 1026 Fifth Avenue were originally the homes of Florence Vanderbilt Burden, Herbert Lee Pratt, and Dunlevy Milbank, respectively. Throughout a 25 year period in the first half of the twentieth century, they were acquired by the school and conjoined for its purposes. Like many of the mansions on the Upper West Side, they are designated landmarks.

The lobby of the Pratt Mansions, a truly beautiful space minus the finger paintings

The lobby and the front room are my two favorite places in the mansions. These rooms, which flow into one another, would be used for the cocktail hour before guests are ushered upstairs for dinner and dancing. Overall, the mansions have a very traditional set up. The front room is wood floored and lined with dark wood panels and red velvet wall paper. And as you can see, the lobby’s marble and moldings have been restored to their original grandeur. Period pieces furnish the rooms, such as grandfather clocks, bookcases, and credenzas.

The biggest drawback of the mansions is its ballroom, which double’s as the school’s auditorium. Because of this, there is a proper stage and stage lighting. If anyone’s familiar with Twenty Four Fifth downtown, it has a similar feel. Inexplicably, the ceiling in this room is low and is then made lower by these lights. Literally, claustrophobic. The ballroom is also fully carpeted. It begs the question, where’s the ball?

The never-ending staircase the the Pratt Mansions

Pros: exceptionally well-kept; modern elevator; un-be-lievable location; in-house cook and prep kitchen; in-house tables; variable space rental fee based on season; well informed website and almost too friendly staff; the lower school’s library can be left open for younger guests; private spaces for the bridal party are available upon request

Cons:  limited restrooms (which is surprising because it’s a functioning school); out of house caterer; chair rental; dance floor rental; access to tour the space is limited by school’s schedule; weekend events only

Conclusion: This schoolhouse does not rock. Individually, each of its rooms have endearing qualities, but as a whole, nothing stands out. Its location is the only attention grabber but 100% not worth it.

Saving the Date: “Some Ukrainian Place on East 7th Street

One of the greatest challenges Bruno and I face in planning our wedding is that, well, we really don’t know many people who have recently been married. While that leaves high bars to be set, it also makes drawing up lists of potential venues, stationers, florists, musicians, and photographers a little tricky. Where to begin?

Most recently, I been looking back, sometimes even way back, at the weddings of women in my family who’ve been there and done that—my mother, step-mother, aunts, cousins, and, especially, grandmothers. I think that, if you’ve been married for 50 years, you must have done something right! This exercise has not only made me privy to decades of invaluable and often intangible family history but also has given me some remarkably special ideas.

With just 222 days to go (but who’s counting?), I’m bound to meet and speak with many more brides. For now, I’ll start by sharing a little piece from my mother’s wedding—her stationery.

Maria & Philip's Bilingual Invitation Suite, 1986

So, you know how I’ve been agonizing over paper? My mother doesn’t even remember where she bought her stationery. The place probably doesn’t exist today but was replaced by an NYU dorm or a clothing boutique a decade ago. My mother also doesn’t remember how much they cost. She thinks it was about $200, total. No big deal. I couldn’t replicate these invitations even if I wanted to. Sure, I could take the template to a graphic designer, but that element of 7th Street would be missing—not the down-and-dirty grunge and God knows what else of the 1980s E. 7th Street or the glorified hipsterdom it is today but the very essence of old world that you can still find on a few of its corners (or simply at Streecha in the basement of St. George’s where the babushki still sell varenyky and coffees after church).

Close up of the invitation's Ukrainian panel

My mother, a typical first generation bride, had a very traditional wedding.  She effectually had no choice in the invitation’s design. Apparently it was what many young Ukrainian-American brides ordered and was truly a testament to the strength of the diasporic community at that time. The invitation was bilingual, in English and Ukrainian, and included an RSVP card and reception card. A direction card was provided by the catering hall. There were double envelopes and even a sheet of tissue paper between cards. Very classy! But, then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less.

Venue Tour: Americas Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep. That’s right. This is the staircase at the Americas Society Mansion. I can just imagine the photographs now… but what about the rest of the house? Don’t hold your breath.

The mansion, which was built by the legendary McKim, Mead & White in 1909, was originally the home of financier Percy Rivington Pyne. It is now the headquarters of the Americas Society & Council of the Americas. Interestingly enough, the mansion served as the Soviet Mission to the United Nations from 1947 to 1965. I presume all the secret wire taps have been removed!

The library at the Americas Society, a quaint space for cocktails

Located at 680 Park Avenue, it’s right across the street from the Harold Pratt House. Unfortunately, it is not nearly as renovated. A lot of work needs to be done to the facilities, especially the ballroom, where the wallpaper hasn’t been replaced since Woody Allen filmed some movie here, circa 1980. The library, which is the only space that would serve for cocktails is a little on the small side. I can’t image more than 50-60 people being in this room at once. Claustrophobic, anyone?

The ballroom at the Americas Society, okay, so, it photographs well, but trust me!

One huge enormous plus  is that a setup for dinner and dancing is not divided. The ballroom would be lovely for a party of about 100 people, and the crowding in the library can be alleviated by spreading the cocktail hour a little onto the second floor landing. The ballroom is somewhat L shaped with about 50-60 guests in one portion and 40-50 in another. Dancing is most logical in the smaller portion, which is also where the outside caterer can access the full in-house kitchen. The door to the kitchen is a little unsightly, though, so it would be best have the DJ set up nearby, as no one wants to sit next to the kitchen!

Make sure you avoid having your guests get smacked on the backs of their chairs by not arranging your tables too close to the kitchen

Pros: in-house kitchen; setup is not divided; a super funky bridal suite on the third floor with original hand painted frescos

Cons: in need of general renovation; no in-house chef; restrooms on the first and third floors only; no chairs or tables on site for parties over 50

Conclusion: While the house has a few nice touches, it’s cons undoubtedly outweigh the pros by several stones.

Venue Tour: Harold Pratt House

Façade of The Harold Pratt House

From the sidewalk, the Harold Pratt House blends in with the many other limestone mansions lining the streets off Park Avenue. If you’re not careful, you can even miss it, like I almost did. But once inside 58 East 68th Street, the anonymity of its exterior is surpassed by the stunning beauty of its interior.

Grand staircase in the entrance foyer of the Harold Pratt House

A major plus of the house is that it’s now the home of the Council  on Foreign Relations, which means its rooms are constantly in use by some very important people and, therefore, must be in tip top shape. As a result, the 1919 house underwent a million dollar restoration a  few years back, which installed many modern conveniences, including a coat check room, track lighting, and multi-stall toilets (yes, this is something very rare and very exciting). Though certain of the more modern additions have lost their classical touches, making you feel more like you’re in a hotel, the house generally has a very old and elegant feel to it. Marble floors? Check. Crystal chandeliers? Check.

The library absolutely glows at the Harold Pratt House

A major negative of the house is its layout and flow. Cocktails on the second floor in the library; dinner for a maximum of 130 guests on the second floor in the ballroom; dancing downstairs on the first floor in the reception room; cake, once again, downstairs and across the hall in the drawing room. Huh? I figured that I’d have to include a map for guests  giving directions from the church to the reception but not within the reception!

The ballroom --- working fireplaces, century old portraits, silk curtains, views onto Park

Pros: all cocktail tables, dinner tables, chairs, and audio/visual equipment included; newly renovated and restored with modern conveniences; flexible receptions hours/extensions for a nominal fee; extensive recommended vendor list (read: dozens events take place here on a weekly basis, so you’re bound to work with a vendor who knows the facilities like the back of her hand)

Cons: no in-house catering; very divided setup; multi-stall restrooms on the ground floor only; because the venue is so multi-purpose, availability is limited, so book swiftly

Conclusion: Flawed and flawless, love it and hate it, this mansion house is an oxymoron—perfect for the carefree bride, but the worst nightmare for one intent on capturing every little moment.

Saying Yes to the Dress

Yes! Ja! Oui! Si! Tak! Да! Ano!

In the age of reality TV, nothing is sacred—not even a woman’s wedding dress. Thanks to TLC’s hit Say Yes to the Dress, women (and men, I know you’re out there…) across the nation can watch you as you try on wedding dresses. Filmed at the famous Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, the show captures brides in their most intimate of moments. Don’t be fooled! The camera lens sees every little freak out, every little sucking in of the tummy, every little spat, and every little tear. What I always wondered is how the brides keep their TV appearances secret from their grooms. It’s bad luck for him to see the dress before the big day, you know!

I will admit that I caught onto the Say Yes trend late. The show is already in its sixth season and a spin-off, Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, has recently started airing. I watched my first episode in March with Hope, my Maid of Honor. To say that I was stunned would be an understatement. So many dresses, so little time!

While Say Yes definitely prepared me for the atmosphere and pace of what was to come, I booked my first and only wedding dress consultation appointment at Kleinfeld Bridal not because of the show. I am a second generation Kleinfeld bride, and I wouldn’t buy my wedding dress anywhere else in the world. My mother, Maria, bought hers in 1986 at Kleinfeld Bridal,  when it was still in its original Bay Ridge, Brooklyn location. It was a “one of a kind” Italian satin gown with poofed shoulders (à la Princess Diana), long sleeves, and a bejeweled neckline. Simply gorgeous. (I don’t have a photo scanned, but I promise to find one and upload it once I do.)

How apropos! They must have known I was coming...

The night before my appointment, some of the ladies in my bridal party and I got together for takeout and cocktails. We watched five hours of Say Yes, basically until we fell asleep. My emotions were running wild. Would I find a dress I like love? If my consultant brought me something I hated, how could I nicely say that it was horrid? How could I make sure I see absolutely no Pnina Tornai dresses? What if I love more than one dress?

One thing that hours of Say Yes did teach me is that the people and stories you bring with you to your appointment are just as important as the dress you ultimately choose. That’s why I invited my mother, my Maid of Honor, two of my bridesmaids, and a very good friend/fellow bride, who were all nice enough to oblige my very early 10am start. I love all of these ladies, who have been and will continue to be so important to me in my life and in this wedding process.

My lovely ladies in the fitting room at Kleinfeld Bridal

No one fought. Everyone got along. New friendships were forged. Did I mention that there were a lot of tears? I remember my MOH Hope saying, “You’ll know when we all love the dress because we’ll be crying.”

Within two hours, the credit card was swiped and the dress bought. I found it! I said yes to my dress. I was so happy that I wanted to show everyone. But where’s the fun in that? Obviously, Mum’s the word, but what I will tell you is that it’s simply fabulous. Finding my dress really made me feel like a bride. Before, I was just a girl young lady madly in love with her English prince. I know it sounds so cheesy, but I left Kleinfeld’s that day with a whole new outlook on my wedding and the ambiance Bruno and I want to achieve for it as a couple. All the pieces truly began to come together.

Thanks to my amazing consultant Judy Kozuck, who knew me oh-so-well from the second she met me, my appointment was a pleasure and quickly flew by. On and then off again—I tried on at least 12 dresses, almost all within my favorite silhouette. There were some good ones; there were some really bad ones; there were a couple I really liked. I did try on some randoms, just because I don’t plan on being back in this fitting room ever again. (Okay, maybe one day with my own daughter….)

                                                The Crew outside Kleinfeld Bridal                                                              Hayden, Elaine, my mother Maria, me, Hope, Ashley                 

Venue Tour: Explorers Club

Ah, the Royal Wedding—a free pass for all to gush over weddings. Well, don’t mind if I do!

Founded in 1904, the Explorers Club is “an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore.” The club counts biologists, astronauts, zoologists, mountain climbers, and scuba divers among its many decorated members. The building, which is located at 46 East 70th Street was originally the home of Stephen C. Clark and family (yes, madam, the Williams College Clark Institute Clarks).

While your guests may find the brown and red brick entrance façade, which is currently under renovation, rather nondescript, once in the lobby they will have no doubt they are someplace special. When I toured the venue with my parents, I was enraptured by the club’s very exotic, if not quite honestly odd, décor. Rhino tusks? Aboriginal skulls? A ten foot taxidermy polar bear that roars (thanks to the flip of a switch)? A wooden desk used by Columbus, Vespucci, or some other New World explorer (I forget exactly who…)? A sled used by one of the first explorer’s of the Arctic? You question whether you’re in the private home of some eccentric or in the halls of the American Museum of Natural History.

The first floor lounge at the Explorers Club

For a modest fee, non-members can rent the entire first and second floors.  Not much of the party would happen on the first floor, though, where the loos and coat check are located. All the fun at the Explorer’s Club is to be had on the second floor. Oriented longitudinally from north to south, the second floor can host a cocktail hour, a sit down dinner, and dancing for around 120 people. The cocktail hour would be held in the club’s library. With its wood paneled walls and ceilings, a marble fire place, Persian rugs, and stained glass windows, this room is, on one hand, cozy but, on the other, very austere. Out the stained glass door is a gorgeous rectangular slate balcony great for the summer but also could be covered in the winter. A floor could be brought in after the cocktail hour in preparation for post-dinner dancing.

The library at the Explorers Club

Across the landing is the ballroom, where you could easily host around 120 guests at round or 100 at long tables for a sit down dinner under its high rounded ceilings. My favorite part: the marble Roman sarcophagus turned fireplace. Priceless. Catering at the Explorer’s Club is provided in-house by New York Catering. Check out a recent wedding featured in The New York Times.

The ballroom of the Explorers Club set up for a screening -- use your imagination!

Pros: in-house catering; experienced staff; an effortless, readymade theme; simply a really fun place to be

Cons: divided dinner and dancing; single restrooms on the first floor; carpet cannot be lifted in the ballroom; all tables, chairs, and linens as well as the dance floor must be rented; additional fees for coat check and security

Conclusion: this historical Upper East Side mansion provides a one of a kind ambiance that could bring the adventurer out of just about anyone—guest and newlyweds alike!

Saving the Date: Mr. Boddington’s Studio

Not to put the cart before the horse, but I’ve already begun shopping around for stationery without having officially set the date. All I can say is that our nuptials will take place sometime in January 2012. So, save the month!

Paper-obsessed, I knew that I would have to strictly discipline my indulgent side when choosing our save the date and invitation suites. Who doesn’t love the feel of premium 130lb 15 point thickness card stock? I read that linen card stock is the most expensive, at over 25 cents per sheet. If only we all were millionaires!

While perusing designs online, I came across Ms. Leopold from New York City-based stationer Mr. Boddington’s Studio and fell in love all over again. Measuring 9.5 x 4 inches, horizontal in orientation, and printable in flat matte (cheaper, faster, multiple colors) or letterpress (more expensive, slower, more limited palette), this Save the Date would chart our relationship as it developed around the globe, marking some of our most favorite spots: Berlin, Miami, Fiesole, and, of course, New York. How befitting! I called and asked for samples to be sent over, posthaste.

Samples graciously sent from Mr. Boddington's Studio

Mr. Boddington’s Studio may not be the oldest design and printing house in New York City (I think, Bowne & Co. Stationers at the South Street Seaport Museum take that cake…), but it is one of the finest. Everything about Mr. Boddington’s is cute. Just go to their  website to be greeted with “Hello Little Miss Engaged.” Swoon! Who told them I was checking in?

If you set up a consultation with Rebecca, the proprietor, and Laura, the go-to contact for all design needs, you’ll be invited to the studio, a micro but impeccably chic multi-functional space in Gramercy. Stepping inside is like stepping into another world where Emily Post is the unquestionable queen and a rainbow of filigree is an acceptable accent to anything and everything–a true testament to the fact that designers lead designed lives. This is the place to be if you have the time and patience to look through dozens of stationery lookbooks. While being shuffled in and out of the conference room, I even spied a pack of work elves sitting around a work table glueing liners into envelopes. Every little touch counts!

Post-consultation, brides are sent an estimate (Be prepared…) and a copy of the Mr. Boddington’s Studio “Terribly Thorough Field Guide to Creating Splendid Correspondence.” That includes details on the design process, timelines, and tons of helpful little hints on wording. When deciding dress code, it is white tie (Still figuring out what that is…), black tie, or something totally different, like modern chic? What’s the difference between an escort card and a place card? (Former, picked up before entering the dining room, noting name and table number; latter, found on the tables, noting seating arrangement) If your parents are divorced, do you include the word  “and” between their names? (No.)  Is the wording different for a secular versus religious ceremony? (Yes,  “pleasure of your company” versus “honor/honour of your presence.”) Do you capitalize the first word of the year, 2012, when spelled out? (Yes.) And the time? (No.) And please, please, please, never forget… the lady’s name always goes first!

Mr. Boddington's Correspondence Care Package amongst my wedding planning tools, a French bulldog Moleskine notebook and NYMag

Pros: 100% customizable stationery of the highest quality; hundreds of samples, colors, fonts, and papers to choose from; a comb of modern and antiques to fit the taste of almost any bride

Cons: wedding sets quoted at $15 per invitation in New York Magazine; four+ month turn around time

Conclusion: for the very patient bride with deep pockets, who finds thrill in a labor of love, the sky is really the limit at Mr. Boddington’s Studio

To do before “I do”

Hi there! Ksenia here. It’s safe to say I’ll be doing most, if not all, of the posting. Not a silent partner just less Internet-dependent, Bruno will definitely receive credit where and when deserved.

While I’ve assumed the majority of the wedding planning responsibilities since I’m conveniently living in New York City, where the wedding will take place, I do run (almost) every idea by Bruno. Through emails, text messages, phone calls, and Skype video chats, we’re making the decisions together, despite being separated by thousands of miles (approximately 3456). Let me tell you, it’s exhausting living mentally in two times zones! To get through it all, I remind myself of my long-distance relationship mantra, which has always been to embrace the here and now. When you’re literally and figuratively so far apart, there’s no time to waste grappling. I don’t have the personality or patience to let things lie. Doing so will only drive me more crazy. So let it out. Speak your mind. Don’t be afraid to duke it out. There’s never a better time than the present.

Time is something I see fleeing before my eyes. Is it really already mid-April? Bruno and I have been engaged for over two months, and considering the circumstances, I think we’re on track. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be catching you up on how we chose the date, the church, and the reception venue. I’ll be sharing a little bit about our families and the wedding party. Of course, I’ll fill you in on how I said “yes to the dress” and became a Kleinfeld bride. There will be talk of flowers, registries, engagement photos, wedding forums, and DIY stationery. Did I mention finding the perfect shoes? There is so much to do and so little time. The lists are endless, and I’m taking advice from anyone and everyone out there—brides, grooms, and wannabes. Bring it on!