Host Your Wedding at The Plaza Hotel, Hollywood’s Favorite Venue
- Author: Natali Grace Levine
- Reading time: 5 min 44 sec
- Publication date: 06/09/2025
- Updated: 06/12/2025
"Nothing unimportant ever happens at The Plaza" – and your wedding certainly won't be the exception.
Imagine exchanging vows in the very room where Truman Capote hosted the most iconic soirée of the 20th century, beneath crystal chandeliers that once illuminated the halls of the Palace of Versailles. Your loved ones gather where Hollywood stars once danced, presidents dined in elegance, and The Beatles captivated America in their first stateside press conference. This isn't fantasy—this is The Plaza Hotel wedding venue, where timeless romance unfolds and love stories begin their golden chapter.
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A Century of Romance and Legend
The Plaza Hotel isn't just a venue; it's a living piece of history that has witnessed over a century of romance, glamour, and unforgettable moments. Since Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt became the first guest to step through these doors on October 1, 1907, The Plaza has been the stage for history's most remarkable events.
When Hollywood Calls The Plaza Home
From the moment Alfred Hitchcock chose The Plaza for "North by Northwest" in 1959, this legendary hotel became New York's most beloved film location. Cary Grant's dramatic kidnapping scene in the Oak Bar launched a cinematic love affair that continues today. The Plaza has starred alongside Hollywood's biggest names:
- "The Way We Were" (1973): Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford's chance encounter at the Fifth Avenue entrance epitomized romantic serendipity
- "The Front" (1976): Woody Allen brought his signature wit to The Plaza's elegant suites
- "Home Alone 2" (1992): Young Macaulay Culkin turned the hotel into his personal playground
- "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993): Bill Pullman's reunion with Meg Ryan at the Fifth Avenue entrance became an instant classic
- "The Great Gatsby" (2013): Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire brought F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece to life in The Plaza's opulent rooms
Each film added another layer to The Plaza's mystique, making it not just a backdrop for your wedding, but a co-star in your love story.
Legends Who Called The Plaza Home
The Plaza's guest registry reads like a who's who of the 20th century. The Beatles lived here for five unforgettable days in February 1964, holding press conferences in the Baroque Room where they received gold records for "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." John Lennon returned throughout the 1970s, frequenting the Oyster Bar with Yoko Ono.
Frank Lloyd Wright spent six years (1953-1959) living in suite 223-225 while overseeing the construction of the Guggenheim Museum. Greta Garbo conducted a rumored four-month romance with designer Cecil Beaton in his suite. Marlene Dietrich made suite 317-325 her New York home in 1948, decorated by the legendary Lady Mendl.
ner_sign_up}}The Plaza Hotel NYC Wedding Venues: Spaces Steeped in History
Each of The Plaza's wedding venues is far more than a beautiful space – they are living theaters where history has unfolded, where celebrities have celebrated, and where love stories have become legends.
Grand Ballroom The Plaza Hotel Wedding: Where Dreams Become Reality
The Plaza's fabled Grand Ballroom has hosted some of the most important events in American social history. This is where Truman Capote threw his legendary "Black and White Ball" in 1966, gathering 540 of the world's most famous people to celebrate his masterpiece "In Cold Blood." The guest list included Frank Sinatra, Norman Mailer, Andy Warhol, and Rose Kennedy – all wearing masks until midnight, when they revealed themselves and the real party began.
More recently, this same space hosted Saturday Night Live's 40th Anniversary After Party, proving that The Grand Ballroom continues to be the setting for landmark celebrations.
With its soaring ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and the ability to accommodate up to 500 seated guests or 1,000 for cocktails, your wedding reception will join this pantheon of legendary gatherings. Imagine your first dance taking place where entertainment royalty has performed for over a century!
The Terrace Room: Versailles in New York
One level below the Grand Ballroom lies The Plaza's best-kept secret – The Terrace Room. This meticulously restored architectural masterpiece houses some of the most exquisite details within The Plaza. The original crystal chandeliers were crafted by Charles Winston (brother of famed jeweler Harry Winston) and are exact replicas of those in the Palace of Versailles.
This is where Marilyn Monroe made headlines in 1956 during a press conference for "The Prince and the Showgirl." Her strategic wardrobe malfunction – a carefully orchestrated broken shoulder strap – became front-page news across the country. The Terrace Room has also witnessed countless intimate celebrations, making it perfect for more personal wedding ceremonies or elegant cocktail receptions—and a favorite backdrop for The Plaza Hotel New York wedding pictures that exude timeless glamour.
The Oak Room & Bar: History and Controversy
The legendary Oak Room & Bar, with its Fifty-ninth Street entrance and stunning Central Park views, has been the setting for both Hollywood magic and social change. In 1969, the National Organization for Women (NOW) staged a historic sit-in protesting the room's men-only lunch policy. After a four-hour demonstration, the policy was finally changed – proving that The Plaza has always been at the center of important moments in history.
Conrad Hilton installed The Oak Bar in 1943 when he purchased The Plaza for $7.5 million, and it quickly became one of the hotel's most popular gathering places. Today, it offers an intimate setting for rehearsal dinners or pre-ceremony gatherings, with the same elegant paneling and architectural details that have welcomed presidents, movie stars, and now, couples celebrating their love.
The Palm Court: Breakfast at...The Plaza
The world-renowned Palm Court, with its signature stained glass lay light ceiling and opulent furnishings, is where Eloise might have taken her afternoon tea if she were real. This iconic space has welcomed dignitaries and celebrities for over a century, making it the perfect location for a wedding brunch or afternoon celebration.
The Palm Court was featured prominently in "Bride Wars" (2009), serving as the backdrop for Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson's final scene. While the movie was mostly filmed elsewhere, The Plaza's Palm Court was considered so essential to the story that they had to include the real thing.
Intimate Spaces for Every Moment
The Rose Club overlooks the hotel lobby and embodies all the splendor of The Plaza with contemporary style. It's perfect for cocktail hours where guests can mingle while watching the elegant bustle of Plaza life below.
The Edwardian Room, with its beamed ceilings and wood paneling, offers exclusive privacy for more intimate wedding parties. The Executive Boardroom provides the perfect space for high-level wedding planning meetings with complete privacy and security.
The Plaza Hotel Weddings Written in History
The Plaza has witnessed some of the most notable weddings in American history. Patricia Kennedy, daughter of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, married British film star Peter Lawford in April 1954. The lavish reception in The Plaza's Ballroom included her brothers Jack, Bobby, and Teddy Kennedy – a political dynasty gathering to celebrate love.
Julie Nixon's wedding to David Dwight Eisenhower II in December 1968 was another Plaza milestone. As the grandson of President Dwight Eisenhower and daughter of President-elect Richard Nixon, their union represented the merging of two presidential legacies.
Even Donald Trump chose The Plaza for his 1993 wedding to Marla Maples, proving that when it comes to making a statement, nothing compares to The Plaza's grandeur.
The Plaza Hotel Wedding New York: A Culinary Legacy of Excellence
Your wedding feast deserves to match the magnificence of your venue. The Plaza's 85-person culinary team has been creating culinary masterpieces since 1907, earning the hotel its reputation as a dining destination. They don't simply prepare food – they craft edible works of art that reflect The Plaza's honorable tradition while embracing contemporary innovation.
Every dish is a symphony of flavor, texture, and presentation, created by chefs who understand that your wedding menu must be as extraordinary as the love you're celebrating. From intimate dinners to grand receptions, the culinary team ensures that your wedding feast becomes part of The Plaza's legendary dining history.
Your Place in Plaza Legend
When you choose The Plaza for your wedding, you become part of a story that spans over a century. You join the ranks of couples who understood that some moments deserve the world's most extraordinary setting. Your Plaza Hotel wedding photos will capture not just your special day, but your place in a legacy that includes royalty, presidents, movie stars, and cultural icons.
Standing at the storied intersection of Central Park and Fifth Avenue, The Plaza Hotel offers more than just elegant spaces – it offers the chance to begin your marriage surrounded by the same grandeur that has hosted the world's most important celebrations.
