Soaring columns embellished with gold, marble walls, chandeliers, hand-painted vaulted ceilings, and a spacious ballroom lend a sense of capital-appropriate grandeur to The State Room. Designed in 1901 by American architect Marcus T. Reynolds, the building originally served as Albany’s City & County Savings Bank (and the city’s first skyscraper). Subsequent restorations have preserved the period architecture and transformed elements of the former bank into standout features. The vault serves as a lounge area for the wedding party. The former bank president’s office is now a private wedding suite where newlyweds can enjoy a private cocktail hour — original mirrored glass allows them to view the festivities below — before making a grand entrance at the reception. A DJ booth was built with reclaimed moldings and materials from the original building, and bank-teller counters were repurposed into the bathroom vanities.
Despite the opulent architecture, you might be surprised to find that you won’t have to rob a bank to afford a wedding at The State Room. An array of all-inclusive packages offer great value for your dollar. In addition to covering site fees, catering, and five hours of top-shelf bar service, even the most basic packages include a cake, antique car service from the owner’s personal collection, a floral credit, and overnight accommodations for the newlyweds at a downtown Albany hotel. Included planning services sweeten the deal, and GM Eric Michael Stewart is an LGBTQ-certified wedding planner. (“We love celebrating love here for all couples,” he says.)
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Given its location on State Street, many couples budget extra time to take portraits at nearby Albany landmarks, including the New York State Capitol building. If you can swing it, consider having your wedding on a Friday. Not only will you receive a discount on any package, but you’ll have access to the Capitol building’s Million Dollar Staircase, where the photos come out looking like, well, a million bucks.
The Details: The State Room can accommodate up to 250 guests, with packages ranging from about $120 to $170 per person. On Saturday, a minimum of 120 adult guests is required.
