JW Marriott Essex House New York: Central Park Weddings at an Art Deco Landmark
New York City’s signature brand of elegance has always revolved around Central Park. While the city itself lives at the forefront of change, innovation, and modernity, those who want to experience a glimpse of the past are often drawn to Midtown Manhattan, 5th Avenue, and the timeless romance of the city’s iconic green space. Located at the southern edge of Central Park, JW Marriott Essex House is a landmark hotel that caters to couples envisioning a classic NYC wedding. With beautiful accommodations, a prime Midtown location, and dedicated on-property wedding and culinary teams, Essex House serves as a home base for the entire celebration, with personal support from the early stages of planning through the wedding weekend itself.
An Art Deco Landmark
JW Marriott Essex House has been a significant part of the New York City skyline since it first opened in October of 1931. The property’s construction notably began on October 30, 1929, just one day after the historic stock market crash; yet the project, designed by Frank Grad & Sons, prospered and resulted in a magnificent 44-story high-rise. For nearly a century, the hotel has been defined by its Art Deco façade, gilded doors, rich wood paneling, and red neon rooftop sign that towers above Central Park.
For most couples hosting out-of-town guests in NYC, it’s imperative to give their loved ones an authentic feel for the city. Not only does Essex House offer the 5-star comforts of a luxury wedding weekend, but it has also been a member of Historic Hotels of America since 1994. Guests of Saturday Night Live famously stayed at the hotel throughout the 1970s, and the property has continued to welcome discerning visitors from around the world.
Central Park Weddings and Photo Ops
The property’s close proximity to the park is ideal for couples who want the feel of a Central Park wedding, but with all the amenities of a luxury hotel. After the wedding ceremony takes place at Essex House, newlyweds can walk over to the park with their wedding party and photographer for a photo session. Inside the hotel, one of the most sought-after settings for wedding photography is the Meadow Terrace Suite, where a large private terrace overlooks Central Park’s Sheep Meadow. The open-air setting and park backdrop make the suite particularly memorable for first looks, wedding portraits, and quiet moments before the celebration begins.
The Grand Salon
The crowning jewel of Essex House is its stunning Grand Salon. A glamorous setting for ceremonies and receptions, the ballroom makes an immediate impression with soaring ceilings, crystal chandeliers, gilded architectural detailing, and an elaborate painted ceiling above the center of the room. Rather than functioning as a blank slate, the Grand Salon brings a distinctive sense of place to a New York wedding, while still allowing couples to transform the room through florals, lighting, and décor.
The adjoining Petit Salon offers a natural setting for cocktail hour, allowing the celebration to unfold across distinct spaces throughout the evening before guests enter the Grand Salon for dinner and dancing. Throughout the planning process, Essex House’s dedicated on-property wedding team works closely with each couple and their creative partners to bring the details together, with the advantage of a team that knows the hotel, its event spaces, and the rhythm of a wedding day firsthand.
“When we first toured JW Marriott Essex House, we fell in love immediately with the gorgeous [hand-painted] murals, chandeliers, and ornate decorations,” says Amanda Trau and Emma Darragh, who celebrated a timeless Manhattan wedding at the property. “As soon as we visited the ballroom at Essex House, we knew it was where we wanted to say, ‘I do.’ The room is so capable of speaking for itself.” The Grand Salon accommodates up to 200 guests for a banquet setup with a dance floor.
Essex House Wedding Menus
At Essex House, the wedding menu is designed as a collaboration between each couple and the hotel’s dedicated culinary team. Private menu tastings give couples an opportunity to refine their selections ahead of the celebration, while the chefs can draw inspiration from a couple’s backgrounds, family traditions, and favorite flavors to create a menu with meaningful connections to their story.
That individualized attention continues on the wedding day, when dishes are prepared à la minute from the kitchen adjoining the Grand Salon. With the culinary and banquet teams based on property, food and service are closely coordinated with the flow of the celebration, from cocktail hour through dinner.
The experience can extend to the bar as well, with signature cocktails offering another opportunity for personalization. The team can work with couples to develop drinks inspired by favorite spirits, flavors, or shared memories, creating a personal touch for cocktail hour in the Petit Salon and the celebration that follows.
Visit marriott.com for more information.