Yale Club Wedding Review : Private Club : New York, NY
A Yale Club Wedding Review
Whether you're a graduate or not, The Yale Club is an enticing location for a wedding thanks to its prominent, centralized location in Manhattan, classic old world ambiance, rooftop lounge for cocktails, and all in one amenities. When I visit The Yale Club to photograph a wedding, I encounter a professional staff that manages the evening such that brides and grooms can enjoy themselves worry-free. If you're looking for an airy, open feeling venue that is formal and civilized (it carries the name "Yale" after all) yet not stuffy or pretentious, The Yale Club may be the perfect fit.
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Getting ready: Brides have access to a refurbished, on-site suite for their preparations leading up to the ceremony. The suite is tastefully appointed and provides a good amount of room for a bride and small to moderate sized bridal party. Although the room isn't necessarily bathing in light mid afternoon, it is soft and directional and makes for very flattering bridal portraits.
Spaces for photography: The rooftop is an ideal spot for a first look and portraits of the bride and groom. With skyscrapers towering all around you, you really feel immersed in the city. Inside, the library, reading room, staircases, and ballroom provide the backdrops in the event of weather that limits venturing outside. The predominant color scheme of the club includes a lot of white with soft blue accents. It's formal without being stuffy.
Proximity to photo locations: Staring right at the Yale Club is Grand Central Terminal. Being directly across the street, it's an obvious choice for photos of the bride, groom and bridal party. Those who aren't shy can even opt for a first look in the middle of the station which makes for quite a moment. Many couples travel the short distance to Central Park to add some natural elements and color to their day.
Ceremony: Ceremonies onsite take place in the main ballroom which is subsequently flipped for the reception. With the tall ceilings and open feel of the room, large flower arrangements tend to look best to fill it out.
Cocktail hour: After being in the ballroom with its ornately carved ceiling for ceremony, elevators await guests to whisk them to a more modern modern roofop space which offers indoor, covered outdoor and open deck areas. Multiple bars serve guests quickly and there is rarely a queue for a beverage.
Reception: The Yale Club is a well oiled machine where service is simply something you dont have to think about. Consistent, well prepared entrees are dropped to tables efficiently with no appreciable lag to delay any toasts that might occur during this time. Use of seasonal ingredients like roasted winter squash elevate the typical steak or fish selection. Coordination between vendors is always prompt with event management giving band/photo/video members a heads up before something important is about to happen.
