There are many ideal wedding locations in New York City and finding the right one can be quite overwhelming. However, there are quite a few places that top the list.

The Foundry

The Foundry is located in Long Island, Queens directly across Manhattan. This 19^th century metal foundry provides a dramatic venue for any wedding. It features old exposed brick that contrasts with the modern steel railings. Along the walls are cave-like rooms that can be turned into small, intimate dining spaces or lounge areas for guests.

The venue can seat approximately 125 persons for a sit-down set up and 200 for cocktail. Outdoor tent seats are also available with a capacity of 160 guests.

With its high ceilings and skylight that encompasses most of the ceiling; The Foundry provides a romantic and cozy ambience.

Central Park Boat House

The Central Park Boat House, also known as the Loeb Boathouse, is situated right in the heart of Central Park. This space is an ideal location for couples who wants to be in the city at the same time be secluded enough from the hustle and bustle of the city center. The Boathouse also houses the Boathouse Restaurant that overlooks the lake.

The main banquet space of the Boathouse is the Lake Room which is adjacent to the restaurant. The space is surrounded on two sides by French doors that lead to the English garden and the Central Park Lake. The Lake Room can accommodate between 80 to 150 guests depending on the type of service.

The Pavilion is also another venue in the Boathouse. This space is larger than the Lake Room and can seat between 200 to 500 guests.

The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers

Another favorite wedding destination in New York City is The Lighthouse right on Chelsea Piers. With its floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Hudson River it is no wonder that the Lighthouse is a favorite among couples. The space also features hardwood floors, 10,000 square feet of windowed space and an all-season terrace suitable for cocktails and outdoor dinner receptions.

Aside from the overall look of the place, the Lighthouse also draws many couples because of the legendary caterer Abigail Kirsh who is the resident caterer for the Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse at Chelsea Pier is a large wedding venue capable of accommodating 100 to 650 guests for a sit-down meal and 1000 guests for a cocktail reception.

Angel Oresanz Center

This 1849 synagogue is another dramatic venue for a wedding. The Angel Oresanz Center has a neo-gothic style that features an amazing gold-leaf altar. It can accommodate 300 guests for cocktails and 250 for a sit-down meal.

Prince George Ballroom

For couples who want an ornate and dramatic wedding venue, then the Prince George Ballroom is recommended. This ballroom is situated in a landmark building in Manhattan’s Madison Square North Historic District.

The intricately-designed, colorful ceiling and golden columns provides an elegant ambience to any wedding reception. The Prince George Ballroom measures 4,800 square foot making it an ideal place for an elegant, large wedding.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

This 52 acre botanical garden is situated in the borough of Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is divided into several themed gardens each with its own charm but some of the more notable ones are the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden, Cranford Rose Garden and the Osborne Garden.

Wedding ceremonies at the garden are expected to start at 9AM and end at 10AM when the garden opens to the public.

Flower Bar at Banchet Flowers

The Banchet Flowers is an unexpected, yet charming, venue to hold a wedding since it is actually a floral shop. This 1,800 square foot venue provides an intimate space that features brick walls. The Flower Bar, situated next door to the shop, is a contemporary space that can accommodate 125 seated guests.

Gotham Hall

Gotham Hall features a magnificent Art Deco ballroom that has a 7-storey grand vaulted dome. The hall has Corinthian columns and marble floors that add to the ambience of the place. The Gotham Hall is an ideal place for a grand, dramatic reception that can accommodate 1200 guests. The space can also be intimate by using sheer curtains to divide the space.

United Nations Delegates Dining Room

The Delegates Dining Room inside the United Nations building features floor-to-ceiling windows and 180 degree views of the East River and New York’s skyline. This space is ideal for large wedding receptions accommodating up to 700 guests and by adjoining the smaller dining rooms the entire space can accommodate 1000 guests for cocktails.  

Café St. Bart’s at St. Bartholomew’s Church

For an indoor wedding, the Café St. Bart’s at St. Bartholomew’s Church is a good option. Couples can have their wedding ceremony and reception all in one venue. The café features a 5,000 square foot terrace that overlooks Park Avenue.

If there’s something I learned as a child that I am teaching my children, is to make the best out of the cards they’re dealt by life. If you get lemons don’t mope… make fresh lemonade! Now there’s the kind of positive reasoning I’m a big fan of! And when it comes to winter, the same principle could be applied: don’t just complain about the chilly weather, keep focused on the shiny ice!

Sure, feeling cold is annoying, but that’s nothing you can’t get around with a simple heavy coat. Once you think about it, the cold is just a technicality, and there are many beautiful things that you can experience in the cold winter outings! Who doesn’t like watching the snow, or trying skiing or snowboarding? Which child has fully experienced childhood without making a snowman, getting into a snowball fight, making angels in the white show and feeling blushed from the cool ice? If you live in a place where there is no snow, you should serious think about getting a true winter outing, this year!

Sometimes, you’ll find resorts in the mountains not too far away from your city, where you’ll get to experience the best winter thrills with the least expense. There are winter resorts out there with ridiculously low fees, and sometimes it’s just a matter of shopping around until you find something that perfectly fits your budget. Think about this next time you find yourself complaining about the weather, and make sure to get yourself some icy lemonade!

  So, you’re thinking on how to reward your employees after one of the most stressful years in recent memory, but you have a small budget, or lack ideas? First of all you should keep in mind that’s not really a problem: people expect from corporate holiday parties is just spending a good time far away from the pressure of the work place.  Most employees view corporate oliday parties as a way to improve personal bonds with co-workers, thus promoting a more relaxed – and productive working environment. Once you realize the global goal of the get together, the occasion is all about sharing experiences, thoughts, and socializing out of the office.

With that in mind you shouldn’t be concerned about renting an expensive place for the party… actually, if the weather is inviting, fresh-air activities are always one of the best choices that you can make. You can start by arranging collaborative activities that can stimulate the group, while encouraging people to communicate collectively. It’s always nice coming up with some fun activities or sports that will keep people entertained and promote a friendly environment. Such scenario will get people to speak freely even with their superiors.

Cutting the formalities right from the onset of the party will be a good way of promoting friendly interactions. Naturally, it’s always a good idea to get some snacks offer your guests, using the less formal attitude you can find, and why not give some symbolic awards (with no material relevance) to the top performing teams from the events you organized?   

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It’s true, these holidays we are getting back to the 1920′s, with the ghost of the recession hanging on our heads! But in the end, it could be all about returning to the basic, to the meaning of the season itself!! ‘’Saving it” only depends on your ability to show others your feelings for them, to be kind to the others, to really get the meaning of it in the personal sphere, without the material requests of this society of consumption!

So, this season keep it simple: be with your family, show the support they need, and be gifted with the affection and the wellbeing that they provide you! Be a present member of your community; help the others with your own work and dedication, stand for a greater good, putting aside your personal goals to archive a common one.

That is the true spirit of the season, the ability to be and to give something to the others, rather than a material gift, to ‘’catch-up” with your loved ones, to be part of a celebration that is intended to be a spiritual reflection about your year, about your projects, and about yourself!

In the end, you will see that, sometimes, in this stressful world, all you need is to lie back, and enjoy the simple things in life… like a smile, a simple conversation, or even an ‘’Hi, how are you?”! That’s really something you can hold on to!

If you really want to spend your money on gifts, be sure to visit sites like: eBay and Fatwallet to find deals!

Also, visit the Planaganza Event Shop to save on items to make your gatherings a blast! In addition to FREE SHIPPING on orders greater than $50. We are offering 10% off orders over $100. Use Discount code “HOLIDAY08″ (offer good until 12/31/08).