The Wedding Planner
Diana Shapiro
Marriott Certified Wedding Event Planner, New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge

Considering a New York wedding? A popular venue for weddings of all types but especially ethnic weddings which reflect the diversity of this city is the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. We recently interviewed Diana Shapiro, wedding event planner for this metropolitan hotel, for her tips on planning a wedding at this property. Diana, like other planners interviewed in this monthly column, has passed the Marriott International Wedding Certification Program. Diana also gives us her advice on Culinary Trends and Customizing Menus for Ethnic Weddings.

What aspects of your property are most attractive to brides?

To begin with, the location of our hotel is most attractive to our brides. One in seven people can trace their roots back to Brooklyn. The convenience of staying in the hotel once the reception is completed is most appealing to my clients.

We have a beautiful lobby, which features a mural on the ceiling, hand painted by a local Brooklyn artist. In January of this year, we completed a $2 million dollar renovation of all our ballroom and meeting space. The brand new wallpaper and fresh new carpet colors are very inviting to our guests. Our entire staff is friendly and accommodating and our guests can feel that upon entering the hotel.

We have a pastry chef on property who will create a customized wedding cake for the bride and groom. I was the hotel’s opening pastry chef back in 1998, and our clients love the fact that we will work with them to create a wedding cake that is simply perfect for their big day.

What are the most popular wedding venues at the property, both for large and small weddings?

We have a Grand Ballroom, which features both 13' and 19' ceilings and crystal chandeliers, and our Legends Ballroom, which offers windows, although it does not have a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. Many of our brides are interested in the Legends Ballroom because the windows create a very intimate atmosphere. Day weddings are especially popular with the natural light filtering through.

We can host an intimate wedding of 50-100 guests or comfortably seat 800 guests with a chuppah in one room, smorgasbord in our foyer, and the dinner in another room; with no wait time!

Kosher weddings are very popular in our hotel as our hotel was built with the Orthodox community in mind. We have a dedicated kosher kitchen, four open chuppas in the Grand Ballroom and Sabbath locks on our guest room doors. Our staff is well versed in the traditions associated with Jewish weddings and this puts our clients at ease with the comfort that they are in very capable hands.

What local elements can a bride add to her wedding to give it a regional atmosphere?

The hotel specializes in Caribbean and West Indian cuisine. Our pastry chef can prepare a delicious black cake for the wedding cake. For the Brooklynites, the menu can be customized to include stations representing the different communities in Brooklyn: Russian, Caribbean, Asian, etc. We have Brooklyn-themed props that can be included in the cocktail reception. Guests can enjoy Juniors Cheesecake and an egg cream for dessert!

For brides planning a weekend wedding, what nearby attractions or on property activities are of special interest for their guests?

Brooklyn is quickly becoming the new Manhattan. We have Court Street and Smith Street, which have become the hot spots for both restaurants and shopping. Downtown DUMBO has a delectable chocolate shop owned by Jacques Torres. A quick stroll down Montague street will afford you a beautiful view of historic brownstones and at the end of it, the New York skyline. There is the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Academy of Music for those who like to take in a bit of the arts. The hotel is only two train stops from Manhattan, which makes it a hop, skip and a bridge away!

Click here for an interview with Diana about Culinary Trends and Customizing Menus for Ethnic Weddings

To plan a Marriott wedding, call the Marriott of your choice and ask to consult with the hotel's wedding event planner. For more information on Marriott Hotels, Resorts, and Suites, call 1-800-228-9290 or see www.marriott.com.

Photos courtesy Brooklyn Marriott