I shot my first wedding at the Prince George Ballroom this summer, and I was floored by the beauty of this hidden gem. It can be hard to find a unique wedding venue in Manhattan, something that can seat a good number of guests while still retaining amazing charm. The Prince George Ballroom is one such location. If you’re looking for somewhere to get married in New York that’s a little quirky, a little different, and still extraordinary beautiful, this is an amazing venue to consider.
We started our day around the corner from the Prince George Ballroom. I loved this neighborhood, because the hotel, church, and reception venue were all within a few blocks of each other. This made things easy for the scheduling of the day. It also made the day extremely easy for the guests!
The bride got ready surrounded by her mother and bridal party. I always love it when brides have their families in the preparation room, as it really adds to the intimate vibe of the day. The schedule was set so that the preparation process was leisurely and slowly paced, and it made for a great start to the wedding day.
Sharon Becker from SB Beauty was on hand to create the bride’s hair and makeup look. Sharon is fantastic to work with. She did an incredible job on the bride and her bridal party. Her looks are completely natural, while still incredibly glamorous.
The start of the day being so calm and leisurely meant that I got some time to spend with the bride’s lovely details. I was especially enamored of her simple, yet dramatic, classic bridal gown.
It was just a quick commute across the street to the ceremony at the Church of the Transfiguration. I was totally blown away by this warm, welcoming church. It’s nicknamed “The Little Church Around The Corner”, and the nickname is absolutely fitting. This is a delightful space with a delightful clergy, and it was a true treat to photograph the ceremony here!
The bride and groom chose to not see each other until their ceremony. While the guests walked to the Prince George Ballroom for cocktail hour, we spent some time taking portraits at the church of the bride, groom, their families, and their bridal party. It was a great time to really focus on documenting the family, the couple together, and to make a few stellar bridal portraits.
After the portraits, it was off to the Prince George Ballroom for the rest of cocktail hour. I also got a few wonderful moments to document the reception ballroom decor. Twisted Willow did a marvelous job with the decor. The candlelight, gorgeous centerpieces, and entire vibe of the space perfectly meshed with the existing ambiance of the ballroom.
I always love looking at typical scenes in atypical ways. For example, the DJ was preparing to introduce the bride and groom into their wedding reception. The lights in the room were dimmed, and a spotlight hit the dance floor. I spotted the bride waiting just outside the door, and I loved the unposed moment.
After the introductions of the bride and groom, the guests took their seats for dinner. During the dinner, there were many spectacular toasts. I especially loved hearing from the Father of the Bride. He spoke so eloquently of his daughter, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house (mine included).
While I love photographing the people giving the toasts at wedding receptions, I also love capturing the reactions of the crowd. This reaction of the bride and groom to her father’s speech is one of my favorites from the night.
After dinner was over, the bride and groom kicked off the dancing with their first dance together.
Prince George Ballroom Wedding Photographer
The Prince George Ballroom between Fifth and Madison Avenues in Manhattan’s Flatiron District is a 1904 Neo-Renaissance landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places — 16-foot ceilings with original murals, four massive golden columns, herringbone oak floors, a grand marble mantelpiece, and golden silk walls that require almost no additional decoration to photograph beautifully. Over 9,000 square feet across three spaces. Owned and operated by Breaking Ground, a nonprofit that provides housing for homeless New Yorkers — 100% of net proceeds support that mission. When you book this venue, your wedding funds something genuinely important. I photographed here and was floored by it.
About the Venue
Between Fifth and Madison Avenues in the Flatiron District, Manhattan. Built 1904. National Register of Historic Places. Over 9,000 square feet across three spaces. Owned and operated by Breaking Ground, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — 100% of net proceeds fund housing for homeless New Yorkers. Open vendor policy for caterers from a curated preferred list. Baby grand piano and gold Chiavari chairs included. 15-hour venue access included in rental. Madison Square Park steps away.
The Spaces
The Prince George Ballroom is the main event space at 4,800 square feet. 16-foot ceilings with original ceiling murals, four massive golden columns in Renaissance style, herringbone oak floors, a grand marble mantelpiece, and golden silk walls. Up to 300 to 400 guests. The intricate Neo-Renaissance detail means this space requires minimal additional decoration — the bones do the work.
The Ladies’ Tea Room is the intimate Beaux-Arts space — turn-of-the-century in character, with dramatic lighting possibilities. Up to 75 guests. Used for ceremonies and intimate dinners.
The Gallery is the modern art gallery entrance space that adjoins the Ballroom. Up to 225 guests. Used for cocktail hours between the Tea Room ceremony and the Ballroom reception, and for smaller standalone events.
Why the Mission Matters
The Prince George Ballroom is one of the few wedding venues in Manhattan where booking your event directly funds a meaningful cause. Breaking Ground houses thousands of formerly homeless New Yorkers. 100% of net proceeds from every event at the Prince George goes directly to that work. For couples who want their wedding spending to mean something beyond the day itself, this is a genuinely distinctive choice.
Photography at the Prince George Ballroom
The four golden columns and the 16-foot ceiling murals for wide ballroom coverage. The herringbone oak floor. The marble mantelpiece for formal portraits. The Ladies’ Tea Room for intimate ceremony coverage. The Gallery during cocktail hour. And outside — Madison Square Park is steps away for outdoor portrait coverage, and the Flatiron neighborhood offers extraordinary street-level portrait options on every block. The Church of the Transfiguration, known as The Little Church Around the Corner, is nearby for couples planning a ceremony there.
Frequently Asked Questions: Prince George Ballroom Weddings
Where is the Prince George Ballroom located?
Between Fifth and Madison Avenues in the Flatiron District, Manhattan. Steps from Madison Square Park.
What is the Prince George Ballroom?
A 1904 Neo-Renaissance landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Over 9,000 square feet across the Ballroom, Ladies’ Tea Room, and Gallery. Up to 400 guests in the Ballroom. Owned by Breaking Ground — 100% of net proceeds fund housing for homeless New Yorkers. Baby grand piano and gold Chiavari chairs included.
What makes the Prince George Ballroom distinctive?
The ceiling murals, golden columns, herringbone oak floors, and marble mantelpiece are genuinely extraordinary for a Manhattan venue at this price point. The three-space layout allows ceremony in the Tea Room, cocktail hour in the Gallery, and reception in the Ballroom — a complete wedding flow within one building. And the Breaking Ground mission makes it one of the only wedding venues in New York where your event directly funds housing for homeless New Yorkers.
Is catering exclusive at the Prince George Ballroom?
No. The venue works with a curated preferred caterer list, but couples choose their caterer from that list. This is different from venues with a single exclusive caterer.
Do you photograph weddings at the Prince George Ballroom?
Yes. I photographed here and was floored by it. If your wedding is here, I would love to hear about it.
