The Best Wedding Reception Locations in New York City: Manhattan

If you're trying to plan a stylish wedding in Manhattan but keep coming up with lists of wedding reception locations that include Queens, Brooklyn, and even New Jersey and Long Island, there's no need to pull your hair out in frustration. I've interviewed several top wedding planners and florists in New York City for a list of the best wedding reception sites in Manhattan. Though they must remain nameless to avoid upsetting their partners that didn't make the list, here are their recommendations for the best places to plan a wedding reception in Manhattan only:

Capitale: For Larger-Than-Life Manhattan Wedding Receptions

To understand the visual impact of Capitale you need to know the structure is a national landmark designed by Stanford White, the most prominent architect of the Gilded Age of New York. The drop-dead-gorgeous interior features Corinthian columns that stretch up to the 65-foot coved ceiling with an art glass skylight. There simply is not another wedding reception site in Manhattan with more of a wow factor, which is why it was chosen for the Sex and the City TV show wrap party.

Capitale's ballroom can seat 700 guests and features cutting edge lighting and sound equipment to make sure every element of your wedding day is perfect. Unlike many wedding reception locations in Manhattan, Capitale also has its own award-winning in-house catering, which means that although it's definitely expensive, you save time, money and effort by avoiding searching for a caterer. For more information on Capitale, call 212-334-5500.

620 Loft And Garden: For Manhattan Wedding Receptions With Beautiful Grounds

Some brides want it all: a glamorous city wedding with a stunning outdoor garden for taking pictures. That can be hard to find in New York City, especially if you're not willing to leave Manhattan, but one place fits the bill: 620 Loft and Garden. Located at the top of Rockefeller Plaza, 620 Loft and Gardens is the private event space for the well-known club Top Of The Rock. It features a pristine white interior that's waiting for your own event decorator to transform, but its most outstanding characteristic is its garden in the sky: gorgeous greenery with a reflective pool, surrounded by a panoramic view of the New York skyline. 620 Loft and Garden works with many well-known New York caterers, including Patina Restaurant Group, Creative Edge Parties, Great Performances and Abigail Kirsch, to provide you with a custom menu for your party of up to 120 guests. For more information on 620 Loft and Garden, call 212-698-2000.

The New York Palace Hotel: For Old World Luxury Manhattan Wedding Receptions

The Palace Hotel is built around the Villard Mansion, a neo-Italian Renaissance brownstone that it is a designated New York City landmark. It features historically decorated rooms such as The Library and the Drawing Room, and the world-renowned Grand Courtyard (the original entrance to the mansion) makes for a unique photo opportunity for brides and grooms that want to feel like old New York high society. The New York Palace Hotel is located across the street from Saint Patrick's Cathedral, making it an excellent reception choice for those who wish to have their ceremony in the United States' best-known Catholic church. Due to its numerous public spaces, the Palace can accommodate parties from 50 to many hundreds, and its gourmet catering is among the best in New York. For more information on the New York Place Hotel, call 212-888-7000.

The Jumeirah Essex House Hotel: For Sleek Art Deco Modern Manhattan Wedding Receptions

The Jumeirah Essex House Hotel (more commonly known as the Essex House) has a stunning art deco interior. Every surface in the hotel gleams, and although it's a historic landmark, after its recent $90 million dollar renovation there isn't a reception site in Manhattan in fresher condition. In house catering at the Essex House is exceptional, and even more important, service is unsurpassed; if your dream for your wedding is to be treated like royalty, the staff here will make it come true. The Essex House is the place to pick for a sophisticated, elegant wedding that is perfect in every detail. I may be biased, since I got married there thirteen years ago, but to give you an idea of what a flawless jewel it is, we turned down the Plaza Hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, the Pierre and the Saint Regis in favor of the Essex House. The bridal suites are spacious and inviting, and the stunning art deco lobby offers numerous photo opportunities for unique wedding portraits. The Essex House can accommodate groups of between 125-500 people. For more information on the Jumeirah Essex House Hotel, call 212-247-0300.