Perfect Wedding Locations: Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery

Are you dreaming of an intimate New York wedding with a taste of Southern France?  If so, Lafayette Grand Café and Bakery is a venue you will want to consider. 

Located at the corner of Lafayette Street and Great Jones Street in downtown Manhattan, this NoHo gem brings homage to French cuisine (bonjour Provence and Normandy!) with a hint of the neighboring Mediterranean coast.

I have shot several weddings here and there has not been a single one where I did not hear the guests rave about Lafayette’s fantastic food & service. Offering his own version of traditional and signature dishes, chef Andrew Carmellini likes to wow with mouthwatering food that will transform any wedding into a huge success. The fabulous cuisine at Lafayette salutes tradition and delights guests with anything from delicious hors d’oeuvres to fish dishes to chocolate desserts. The French wines (this place boasts a generous 350-bottle list) perfectly compliment the chef’s style of cooking pleasing even the pickiest connoisseurs. 

The ambiance at Lafayette is extremely warm. The special reception room, simply called Cave du Vin (French for “wine cellar”) looks truly romantic, especially when filled with candles, and gives an elegant dinner party feel to any small or medium sized wedding reception (the cellar can host up to 100 guests still leaving enough space for a live band and for guests to tear up the dance floor).

The magical thing about this place is that you know very well you are in New York City, however the atmosphere, food, wine, and setup whisk you away to romantic France. One thing I love about this venue is that it allows for family-style reception seating thus creating a casual and laid-back feel that encourages guests to interact with each other. 

With cinematic interiors reminiscent of traditional brasseries, boasting surprising murals, mahogany floors, towering arched windows and tiled columns, this beautiful location is ideal for intimate weddings with tonnes of character. 

On one of the most memorable days of your life Lafayette will provide an impeccably tailored solution for your wedding reception.