Looking for a unique &  affordable  location in Manhattan can be a task for some couples. The Alger House has become a favorite venue of mine to photograph.

The Alger House located in the West Village has amazing fun decor with vintage flair. Julius Caesar’s bust greets you after your walk up a long stairway until the entrance of the Alger house. You are greeted by white painted brick walls with lovely pieces of art work and unique stained glass and walls filled with tapestries.  Combining the look of a modern loft and artists space with mismatched artworks makes this venue work as a whole.

Upstairs there is a solarium used as the bridal suite which I often use with my clients for formals and a great place to stage the signing of the wedding license. Inside this room are mirrors, lovely couches and fireplace. The ceremony starts as the you watch the bridal party descend to the ground floor from the Solarium, seats are set up in a  typical ceremony fashion and the Bride has plenty of room walk down the aisle.  The ceremony area of the venue doubles as the reception area, as when the ceremony ends the room flips magically into a reception area. The cocktail hour takes place at the front of the venue, looks can be deceiving as there is plenty of room to walk around and mingle with guests.

You can bring in your caterer, however Alger house has their own on site catering. There is a front “foyer” style area which is a great place for the viewing of the cake, place cards and a sign in book.

This location is also a great example of using the environment you are in fully to photograph.  The East Village is a oasis for beautiful painted doors, gritty city streets and interesting parks.  Use this environment for its full capability to capture a unique and amazing wedding day.

Some of the great vendors that made this beautiful day a reality:

All photos courtesy of Laura Ryan: www.lauraryanphotography.com

Flowers: Denise Fasanello http://www.dfasanello.com/
Desserts: One Girl Cookie http://www.onegirlcookies.com/
Cake toppers: Naked Peggies off Etsy (Kate and Dinush painted them)

For more information on this great New York City Wedding Venue please click HERE.

* Recommended for smaller weddings, 60-80 guests max.

Two studios are available for use, boasting 4500 sq.ft and 5500 sq. feet, with  incredible views overlooking the Hudson. For more information on this space click here http://peterwhitestudios.com.

photos are © Peter White and courtesy of  http://peterwhitestudios.com

Both Beantown, better known as Boston, and New York have glamorous options with backdrops that glisten. A few of our favorites include:

{Boston wedding venues with a view} The Colonnade Hotel, The Ritz Carlton Boston Common, The State Room {by Longwood Events}, Millennium Bostonian Hotel

{New York City Lofts} Loft 11, Tribeca Rooftop, 620 Loft and Garden, Ramscale, The Glass Houses

{Other New York City View Locations} The Water Club Restaurant, Mandarin Oriental, Gramercy Park Hotel, The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, The United Nations Dining Room and Rooftop Patio