We are so excited for our first wedding show of 2015 to be at the Chase Park Plaza that we thought we would feature two of St. Louis's most glamorous, historical venues on the blog. The Chase Park Plaza on North Kingshighway Boulevard and the Coronado on Lindell Boulevard. They are just minutes from each other so you could easily plan a day to visit both of these exquisite sites.
The Chase Park Plaza
The Chase’s legacy began in 1922 with the elegant Chase building, originally built by and named for Chase Ullman. Legendary hotelier Sam Koplar started construction of the Art Deco style Park Plaza seven years later. In the 1950’s the Chase really hit its stylish stride - the Chase Club was widely known as one of the leading night clubs in America and hosted such big band acts as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis. Just in time for the 1956 Miss America contest, an outdoor swimming pool was built where the original entrance stood. This stirred up quite a scandal, since the "scantily-clad" ladies could be seen from the busy street.
The Chase can provide the perfect location for a small, intimate affair up to a grand event of 1,000.
The Empire Room provides a cozy atmosphere for smaller receptions or is ideal for a wedding ceremony. This classic venue has a spectacular dome ceiling, crystal chandelier and a working gas fireplace.
The Starlight Roof is located on the 11th floor and offers breathtaking views of Forest Park. This beautiful room features walls of windows and two charming terraces that are a perfect setting for photos. The reception space consists of the Zodiac Room and The Starlight Ballroom. The rooms can be reserved separately or together and they are considered one of the top wedding sites in St. Louis.
The Khorassan Ballroom is well known as one of the most magnificent and historic grand reception spaces in St. Louis. This venue has hosted presidents and dignitaries from around the world for decades. High ceilings, perfect acoustics and lighting, an elevated stage with a lift, offer endless options for your special event.
Located one floor below the main level of the hotel is the Lindell Ballroom. This room is a true treasure and offers a unique opportunity for couples. This luxurious space offers a private escalator to your event, a cozy setting for cocktail hour, a dance floor, and seating for up to 450 guests. The bride has access to a private room, where she can get ready and refresh during her reception.
Whichever venue you choose, Chase couples will be assisted by a team of wedding specialists and caterers to assure every detail is attended to from the perfect space to the menu and everything in between.
Coronado Wedding Receptions
The Coronado Hotel was built in 1926 and was designed by Preston Bradshaw. The St. Louis architect not only owned the building, but lived there with his family as well. The elegant establishment hosted celebrity guests and dignitaries such as Barbara Stanwyck, Mae West, and Harry Truman. During the 60's and 70's, the Coronado was a St. Louis University dormitory. The landmark building was closed for many years, and was reopened in 2003 after a spectacular renovation.
With its stunning Art Deco design, a Coronado Ballroom reception could be your fairy tale wedding come true. You are first greeted with the stunning Grand Lobby that is graced with a beautiful stone fireplace, elaborate cast ceiling, gold leaf columns, and elegant furniture.
The barrel-vaulted Grand Ballroom is breathtaking with ornate ceiling designs that were painstakingly restored to their original condition. The dance floor is currently one of only a few classic terrazzo floors with illuminated tiles remaining in the U.S. Your glamorous Coronado wedding reception will be in the talented hands of the Steven Becker Fine Dining catering team. Rob Schaefer, Vice President of Catering and Design Development, has been planning extraordinary parties for over 22 years and he is a Certified Wedding Coordinator by National Bridal Service.
If you have your reception at the Coronado, the Chase is a perfect spot for a honeymoon suite after your glamorous night. Just minutes away, the Chase is a ideal place for out of town guests to stay with a movie theater, great restaurants, and charming shops nearby. Or even for your “in-town” guests that don’t want to drive too far after the reception. You could plan an “after morning” brunch for your final goodbyes before everyone heads home.
Wedding shows and the web are a great place to start your research on wedding venues, but DO NOT make any final decisions based on what you see online or in brochures. Walk through each and every venue you are interested in. Bring a camera, notepad, and pen and make sure to take photos of your favorite elements. If while you are there you start visualizing how you could make your dream wedding come true, having the pictures on hand afterwards will help with the planning.