Famed wedding venue of Michael Douglas, others closing for years, leaving brides scrambling

One of New York City’s most storied hotels is shutting its doors for years, leaving brides and grooms scrambling to secure newwedding venues.

For over a century, The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan has stood as the ultimate crown jewel of luxury weddings, setting the stage for extravagant celebrations — most notably the star-studded 2000 nuptials of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones anda glamorous gatheringback in 1968 for Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower.

The Fifth Avenue landmark is also deeply woven into the fabric of popular culture.It has served as the backdrop for blockbuster films like “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” and “Bride Wars.” 

Read More → GOP is running 2026 like it’s 2006, repeating George W Bush’s Iraq War election failure

LUXURY HOTEL FAVORED BY KENNEDYS, GRACE KELLY CRACKS DOWN ON INFLUENCER PHOTO SHOOTS

It was also the beloved stomping ground of Eloise from Kay Thompson’s classic children’s books.

Read More → Ilhan Omar says she lives ‘paycheck to paycheck’as DOJ probes financial disclosures

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, pictured at left, married at New York City’s Plaza Hotel, shown at right, in 2000.(Terry deRoy Gruber/Gruber Photographers;iStock)

The hotel, which opened in 1907 overlookingCentral Park, said the work will focus on repairing and restoring its historic façade.

“Due to the complexity of this undertaking and significant intrusion to operations, The Plaza Hotel will be closing for at least four years commencing January 2027 while the work is underway,” the hotel said.

The announced closure is creating uncertainty for couples who had planned to marry at the hotel.

Read More → 16-year-old allegedly led ransomware gang behind hundreds of attacks

Several brides with upcoming weddings said they were left scrambling for alternate venues after learning of the closure, according tothe New York Post.

Christine Carney, 38, had planned a roughly 200-person wedding at the Plaza for May 1 after booking the venue nearly a year in advance, the outlet reported.

The Plaza Hotel, shown above, will close in January 2027 for at least four years.(Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Carney told the Post she learned about the closure from a friend rather than the hotel itself, leaving her worried about the money already paid for her wedding.

“I’m definitely frustrated and disappointed that this happened, and I’manxious to figure outwhat the next steps will be,” she told the outlet.

The closure drew reactions from New Yorkers and travelers online, including some who immediately thought about the weddings affected.

“I feel sorry for all the weddings that had to [be] canceled,” one Reddit user wrote.“[I] was [supposed] to go to a wedding in [February] and now the groom is scrambling.”

Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower, pictured at left, held their wedding reception at New York City’s Plaza Hotel in 1968.(Bettmann Archive/Getty Images;Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger)

Another commenter responded, “It’s going to be impossible to find something comparable on such short notice.”

Read More → Deadly crash kills two as plane plunges into ‘ball of flames’near suburban golf course

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The Plaza said additional details surrounding the planning and execution of the restoration remain under review.

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

The hotel has hosted some of the country’s most high-profile weddings and receptions, including Patricia Kennedy and actor Peter Lawford’s reception in 1954, as well as Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower’s reception in 1968.

She and the team cover travel, food and drink, health, relationships and more.She also produces the weekly American Culture Quiz and handles other special projects.