When you start shopping for your wedding dress the salesperson at the bridal salon will ask you where your wedding will be held. It's important to know your wedding location before you start shopping for a wedding dress because the location will help determine the type of gown you purchase.
If you're planning to say "I do" in a hotel ballroom, you're going to want to choose a formal ball gown. We visited the newly restored Grand Ballroom in the landmark Plaza Hotel in New York City and selected more than a dozen elegant ball gowns that would complement this regal space.
Strapless ivory ball gown with beaded silk taffeta pleated bodice and tulle rosette-accented skirt by Platinum for Priscilla of Boston. Price upon request. Style No. PL246, visit priscillaofboston.com.
The Plaza Hotel opened its doors on October 1, 1907 and was described, at the time, as the greatest hotel in the world. The Plaza is located at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South in New York City. In 1969, the Plaza was designated a New York City Landmark and is listed on the Register of Historic Places and is the only New York City hotel to be designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Piccione by Alfred Angelo strapless silk satin ball gown with scalloped neckline and bodice. Bodice and skirt, with semi-cathedral train, are adorned with metallic embroidery, crystal beading and sequins. Available in light gold/metallic or diamond white/metallic, in sizes 2 to 20. Style No. 434, $2,699. For store listings call 866-8-ANGELO or visit
piccionebridal.com.
The 19-story building took more than two years to build and cost $12 million—an unprecedented amount in the early 1900s. The design of the Plaza, by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh—who also built the Dakota apartments and the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC—was inspired by an opulent French Chateau.
Monique Lhuillier strapless silk satin organza and tulle ball gown with natural waist, ruched bodice and sweep train. Asymmetrical hem with embroidery. Price upon request. Style name: Lyric, available in ivory or latte, visit
moniquelhuillier.com for more information.
The Plaza's Grand Ballroom has been restored to its original grandeur. Celebrities who have said "I do" at the Plaza include: Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas, Donald Trump and Marla Maples, Julie Nixon and Dwight David Eisenhower II, Pat Kennedy and Peter Lawford, Eddie Murphy and Melissa Rivers.
Satin beaded corset with cuff neckline and beaded tulle ball gown skirt by David's Bridal Collection. Available in white or ivory in sizes 2 to 18 (plus sizes: 14W to 26W). Style No. NT8017, $499 (plus size: $599). At David's Bridal stores nationwide. For more information and to find a David's Bridal near you call, 877.923.BRIDE or visit davidsbridal.com.
The Plaza Hotel offers 21,000 square feet of meeting space including the Grand Ballroom and the Terrace Room. Meeting rooms can accommodate as little as 10 people or as many as 150. The seven meeting rooms can also be combined to one large space and accommodate up to 700 people.
Silk double-faced ivory satin strapless ball gown with elaborate beading by
Platinum for Priscilla of Boston. Bodice with silk satin belt, hidden pockets, huge front skirt appliqué and step down chapel train. Price upon request. Style No. PL272,
priscillaofboston.com.
The Grand Ballroom has been restored to its 1929 look. The 4,800-square-foot ballroom can seat 500 guests for a formal dinner. Included in the multi-million dollar renovation are: cleaning and repairing the ballroom's original chandeliers, refreshing the paint after 200 samples were taken to research the original colors, cleaning all tapestries, refurbishing the original mirrors and sconces and six ceiling oil murals depicting angels and cherubs are being restored.
Vera Wang Fairy Princess ivory organza cut-petal bodice gown with vanilla grosgrain sash. $9500. Call 212-628-3400 to schedule an appoint at the Vera Wang Bridal House in New York City, or visit verawangonweddings.com to find a salon in your area.
The Plaza has appeared in several movies including Plaza Suite, The Way We Were, The Great Gatsby, Barefoot in the Park, Funny Girl, Cotton Club, Crocodile Dundee I and II, Home Alone II: Lost in New York and most recently, Bride Wars with Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson. The building's film debut was in Alfred Hitchcock's classic North by Northwest in 1959.
"Orabelle" silk taffeta a-line gown,
Reem Acra, with draped bodice, jeweled neckline and hand-detailed back skirt in pink with sapphire embroidery, $7925. Visit
reemacra.com to find a salon in your area.
In 1966 Truman Capote gave his legendary "Black & White Ball" at the Plaza for 540 of his closest friends.
"Opulence" silk taffeta strapless gown by
Kenneth Pool with low dropped waist, tiered skirt and gently curved neckline. Silver Swarovski crystals adorn the empire, hipline and skirt.$4700. Visit
amsale.com for store listings.
The world famous Oak Room and Bar originally opened in 1907 as a bar for men only. During Prohibition it closed its doors and reopened as a restaurant in 1934.
Edgardo Bonilla's "Leah" taffeta ball gown with draped bodice, ruffled layered skirt and hand beaded accents. Price upon request. Visit edgardobonilla.com for retailers.
The renovations of the Plaza's Grand Ballroom also included a 2600-square-foot pre-function space for brides and debutantes, cocktail reception areas, meeting rooms and new wedding-party spaces.
Carolina Herrera strapless, floor-length ball gown with golden beading at the bust and top-stitched detail on the bodice. Features a gold ribbon detail with bow at the back. Available in ivory or white mikado or duchess satin. Worn with elaborately beaded chapel veil in shades of gold. Dress, Mikado, $4490; Duchess, $5490; veil, $5290, call 212-249-6552 for an appointment.
The Plaza Hotel is the only hotel in the world to offer 24-karat gold plated sinks and fixtures in every room.
Point d'esprit strapless ball gown with embroidered bodice, metallic accents and beading by
Alfred Angelo. Chapel train. Style No. 2018. Available in ivory/cafe, white/cafe, ivory and white, sizes 0-30W, $899. For more information call 866-8-ANGELO or visit
alfredangelo.com
New to the Plaza Hotel are The Champagne Bar and The Rose Club. The Champagne Bar offers a selection of champagnes and light bites, as well as continental breakfast. The Rose Club is a stylish cocktail lounge that serves lunch and a light dinner menu.
Alvina Valenta silk satin organza gown in Eggshell. Strapless soft scoop neckline with a draped elongated dropped waist bodice and three-tiered skirt, flower detail at center back. Covered buttons and loops over zipper down center back, sweep train. Style: No. AV9913, $2685,
jlmcouture.com.
With 102 suites (the most of any luxury hotel in New York City) there are seven distinct designs and layouts, including six duplex Terrace Suites.
"Patsy" peau de soie ball gown with beaded Alençon from
Judd Waddell, $4300,
juddwaddell.com
In 2008 the Plaza completed a $400 million three-year restoration including renovating guest rooms and meeting and event spaces.
Silk taffeta "Lenora" gown by Ines Di Santo. $10,200, available at Bridal Reflections Fifth Avenue Salon, 212-764-3040.
Still searching for the perfect gown for your wedding? Visit the Brides.com Wedding Dress Gallery to find your dream dress!
CPS Events at the Plaza oversees all events from grand weddings to corporate meetings. To learn more about planning an event at The Plaza Hotel call 212-549-0502 for information and booking inquiries.
