To paraphrase “The Godfather,” The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester in White Plains wants to make bridal couples an offer they can’t refuse: Have your wedding here and get a “Honeymoon on Us.”
Spend $25,000 and receive a three-night honeymoon at any of 55 Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts in the United States, Caribbean or Mexico. Spend $30,000 and get a five-night honeymoon, $50,000 and it’s a seven-night stay. With any of these packages — which include a $500 airfare credit — the bridal couple also receives a two-night stay in the bridal suite at The Ritz in White Plains, a couple’s massage in its spa and mimosas and fruit for up to 12 guests on the wedding day.
While some couples, particularly millennials, are opting for the “mini moon” — a brief honeymoon with a big trip a year later when they’re more established — Alex Corbett says, “I feel a lot of (couples) want to go on a honeymoon and it’s such a huge chunk of their wedding budget,” anywhere from 10 to 20 percent.
Corbett can relate. The senior catering sales manager, weddings, at The Ritz in White Plains since November, she inaugurated the wedding program at Richard Gere’s Bedford Post Inn after a stint in journalism that included MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” But she’s also been there personally, having gone through the process when she was engaged. The engagement ended, but Corbett says she gained new insight and empathy into the challenges of planning the big day. She also possesses a poise and a savvy — displayed over salads in the hotel’s relaxing lounge — that would put even the most nervous bride at ease.
It helps that The Ritz has upgraded almost 11,000 feet of meeting space. There’s the expanded 2,357-square-foot gallery for cocktail receptions and new, purple-print carpet in the 6,014-square-foot ballroom that gives the expanse a softer tone. The 920-square-foot Sapphire Suite is available for rehearsal dinners, while the Design Studio has everything the bridal couple may need in planning their event, from a mock table setup to linens and tastings.
“A lot of what they’re looking for is a clean, modern look,” Corbett says, right down to the Lucite chairs.
As to destinations, “Hawaii is extremely popular,” she says, adding that The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Maui is “pretty special, with breathtaking beaches and to-die-for rooms.”
Corbett suggests breaking up this honeymoon trip — and thus avoiding a half-day in the air — by spending part of it at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco in fashionable Nob Hill before going on to Kapalua.
And might we dream that someday these wedding packages will extend to Ritz hotels worldwide, even the historic, newly renovated Ritz Paris?
Corbett smiles. “We’re keeping our options open. Let’s see what happens in 2017.”
For more, visit ritzcarlton.com.
