Rooftop Restaurant Penthouse808 @ Ravel Hotel

My husband and I got married at the Ravel hotel about 9 months ago. It was one of the happiest, most fun days of both of our lives that was accentuated by the helpful event planning staff of the Ravel Hotel. I will start by saying that we are both very laid back. We didn't have a large budget, but being as stubborn as we both are, wanted so badly to get married in New York, where we live. I dreamed of having a terrace wedding overlooking the Manhattan skyline where we could entertain our out of town family and friends, as if to say "look how awesome this place is!". It was an amazing day and night. 

To this day, our friends and family remark on how that was "the best wedding I have ever been to", and "the food at your wedding was amazing!". I agree with both of these statements. To start, the terrace is unbelievably beautiful, the views of Manhattan at sundown could make you weep. The cocktails, food, and service is terrific, creative, and entertaining. The rooms are spacious, well cooled, and urban chic in design. We had no problems with noise (although, to be fair, we may have been the noise). Also:

1) Annie (the event planner at the Ravel) is the most accomadating, sweet, and organized woman I have met. She is professional to a T and an awesome chick as well.
 

2) They accomodated my Gluten Free diet for our wedding! This was awesome. Not only did we enjoy (love, love, love) our menu tasting dates- where we got to select a variety of gluten free apps and entrees like sushi rolls (with gluten free soy sauce!), greek sliders with cucumber yogurt sauce, and grilled salmon with polenta, the FOOD WAS AMAZING. For anyone who has ever been to a wedding,  you know how much the food is usually boring and terrible and totally not worth the price. Our wedding meal remains one of the best New York meals I have had in my 6 years living here. They also accomodated my vegetarian friends and my kosher friends. The chef there is AMAZING.

3) They accomodated us with a room block at a discounted rate for family and friends. This was amazing because it was like a giant family reunion, where we were all under the same roof for the whole weekend. No one needed to drive anywhere to attend our wedding, just take the elevator to the 8th floor! The night before the wedding, we chilled at salsa night on the terrace, and the morning after we were shuttled (by their service) to a family brunch in Astoria. 

4) Our signature cocktail was a Spicy Pear Margarita. Need I say more?

5) Ok, fine, I will. We had a champagne toast of some of the best Rose I've tasted

6) The bartending and wait staff was courteous and sweet as well as nicely dressed.

7) We had the best Wedding suite (for free). My husband and I spent our first night together with the best views of the 59th street bridge and Manhattan you have ever seen. We were feeling groovy!

8) They have a nearby order in service from a diner. The morning my bridesmaids were getting ready with me, we ordered omelets to be delivered at the hotel. I was nervous and couldn't eat much, but it was awesome, convenient, and delicious.

9) My bridesmaids and I took a pre wedding run across the 59th street bridge (my last workout as a single woman). It is really close (and gorgeous, as I mentioned)

10) My wedding planner was able to reach Annie at any time, and we were able to set up multiple meetings with her for planning.

11) They allowed my brother (who is a professional DJ), to DJ our wedding on their sound system! People still tell me how awesome the music was.

12) My mom, the baller, shot caller, who paid for the whole thing, was thoroughly satisifed and wrote a review right after the wedding. And as many of you know, if mommy ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. She was treated with respect and was a happy customer.

13) It rained on the day of our wedding : (
BUT, Annie and staff jumped right in and gave us our options for a tent, which we ultimately went with. They say that's good luck anyway. We're still going strong, so maybe!

14) Our families toured New York the next day via the N train, which is near the hotel. It was almost a destination wedding for non New Yorkers. China town, the Statue of Liberty, and Grimaldi's were all among favorites for our guests that weekend. 

15) Our wedding pictures are amazing. I have a framed picture of my husband placing the ring on my finger, the background is the empire state building, and the 59th street bridge. I mean, come on!

As I said, we are very laid back. We didn't have a lot of money to spend and I was comfortable with a more casual, party feel for our wedding.