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 new wedding 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 and a glamorous gathering back 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." LUXURY HOTEL FAVORED BY KENNEDYS, GRACE KELLY CRACKS DOWN ON INFLUENCER PHOTO SHOOTSIt was also the beloved stomping ground of Eloise from Kay Thompson's classic children’s books.The Plaza Hotel will close in January 2027 for at least four years as the landmark undergoes extensive restoration work, the hotel said in a press release shared with Fox News Digital.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 overlooking Central 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.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERSeveral brides with upcoming weddings said they were left scrambling for alternate venues after learning of the closure, according to the 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 Ho...