United States, New York - Four Seasons Hotel |
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Ask anyone what Manhattan brings to mind, and that tumultuous skyline has to come out tops. Skyscrapers make manhattan the majestic city it is. They are a symbol of defiance, of pushing boundaries, of that most American of attributes - reaching for the stars. The Four Seasons New York is the tallest hotel in Manhattan, and pays homage to the giants of the city that date back to the art deco era of the 1920s: the Empire State Building. The Rockefeller Building and the Chrysler Building. New Yorkers recommend fall, or autumn, as the best time of year to marry in the city. The four Seasons is located just blocks from Central Park, and in November the trees are ablaze with colour, making a picture-perfect setting. It also falls neatly between the hot summer months and the hectic winter season. couples dreaming of a bold venue should look no further than this soaring hotel that makes no secret of its ambition to be the best. This graceful limestone spire, built in 1993, soars high above its near-perfect location between Madison and Park Avenues, just a few steps away from Central Park. Its 52 storeys of any building in the city, with each room racking up a bill of around US$1 million (£550,000).
To obtain a marriage license, couples must apply in person to any town or city clerk in the state of New York. The application for a license must be signed by both the bride and groom in the presence of the town or city clerk, so a representative cannot apply for the license on their behalf. the marriage license is issued immediately, but the marriage ceremony may not take place within 24 hours of the exact time when the license was issued. There is no particular form required in the ceremony, except that parties must state in the presence of a n authorized member of the clergy or public official and at least one other witness that they take one another as husband and wife. The person performing the ceremony must be registered with the City of New York in order to perform a wedding within the New York City limits. Couples can marry at the Four Seasons, of course, but if they prefer to have a church wedding before a reception at the hotel, these are usually held at the hotel, these are usually held at the church of St Bartholomew on Park Avenue and 50th Street or St Ignatius Loyola on Park Avenue and 84th Street. Horse-drawn carriages to and from the hotel and photographs in nearby Central Park are some of the typical New York touches that couples may expect. Those who choose to wed at the Four Seasons New York generally have the ceremony in the Metropolitan Suite, followed by cocktails in the Metropolitan foyer and dinner and dancing for up to 100 people in the Cosmopolitan Suite. This majestic room reflects the signature decor of the hotel lobby, with walls panelled in light beech making the perfect complement to the floral table decorations. The Four Seasons New York is not a 'ballroom' hotel, unlike many of its rivals, but rather specializes in smaller weddings (with 60 to 100 guests) in a more intimate, elegant style. Couples who marry at the hotel spend their wedding night in a complimentary Four Seasons Executive Suite, where a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and chocolate-covered strawberries await them. The rooms have ultra-romantic views of Central Park, sycamore-panelled dressing rooms and marble bathrooms with steeping tubs that fill in 60 seconds, some with stunning views of Manhattan. All the rooms are large by city standards. 
I. M. Pei emerged from retirement to design two new suites that opened in 2005. These transparent penthouses high in the sky have their own log fireplaces and enjoy breathtaking views from the Hudson to the East River. Floor to ceiling bay windows were designed to make guests feel they are floating above the city. Outside balconies are positioned on the corners of the building to give a diagonal view of Manhattan, 51 floors above Madison Avenue. Central Park appears to be within touching distance and the New York skyline is laid out before you. The interiors of the suites are by the flamboyant architect Peter Marino, who designed the Louis Vuitton store next door, and who has spared no expense in his use of delicate fabrics and white carpets. Each suite creates a different atmosphere and is quite unique; Suite 5101 suggests an opulent, masculine library, while Suite 5102 seems to hum with the vibrancy of a sophisticated cocktail party with cream-coloured credenzas, customized games tables and a baby grand piano. Carrie Bradshaw eat your heart out! The Four Seasons has an on-site wedding expert who will work with couples to reserve dates, plan the schedule of events and coordinate all food and drinks, from menu designs to linens. They will also assist with the legal paperwork. A florist, or 'floral designer' as they are known in Manhattan, is available on request, a customized wedding cake can be created by the talented in-house pastry chef, and everything from a intimate family brunch to a sophisticated cocktail buffet or grand reception banquet can be arrange. One option you might like to try for the wedding breakfast is a 'Tasting Menu', a meal designed as five to eight courses in tasting portions, paired with the appropriate wines and champagne. The Fifty Seven Fifty Seven Restaurant, which serves stylist American cuisine, has been awarded an unprecedented three-star rating by the New York Times, while the adjacent bar has one of the best buzzes in the city and is famous for its citrus martinis. Brides-to-be can pamper themselves in the spa before the wedding and chill out there afterwards. As well as New Wave treatments such as Inner Pulse Light Therapy, the spa also offers more mainstream manicures and pedicures, as well as wedding hair and make-up. All the spa treatments are also available for men, of course, and the groom may like to prepare for the wedding with a traditional steam-towel shave featuring products from London's famous barbers Geo F. Trumper. In the winter months, couples who are real chocoholics can book the Chocolate Package, which features a chocolate bar in their room serving chocolate martinis, homemade chocolate bars and chocolate-covered strawberries. You can even snuggle down for the night and watch films from the complimentary DVD library including Chocolat, Like Water for Chocolate and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factor ! And for those who live to shop, there's even a 24-hour shopping service at Bergdorf Goodman in case you've forgotten a vital something on the eve of your wedding day, or just fancy indulging one another. For honeymooners, New York is a honeypot of delights. As well as the tried and tested attractions of Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village and Soho, there are the uber trendy areas to explore such as the Meatpacking District with its cutting edge bars, restaurants, and clubs from the rooftop pool at Soho House to the faux Parisian chic of Pastis. As the song goes, 'New York, New York, so good they named it twice...'
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO
CEREMONIES
PRE-WEDDING RESIDENCY published by Conran Octopus Ltd Four Seasons New York 57 East 57th Street New York Ny 10022, USA T: +1 212 758 5700
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