Wedding Essentials at Classic NY Venues | NYC Wedding Planner Advice
As wedding planners in New York City and beyond, we have planned various types of weddings at some of the most iconic NY venues. With experience comes expert knowledge and advice, so we have just a few tips to offer that could make or break your wedding day.
Read below where we share both wedding essentials (the must-haves!) and wedding favorites (the upgrades that truly elevate your day) for classic and iconic NY wedding venues, alongside some trusted NYC wedding planner advice.
Prospect Park Boathouse
ESSENTIAL
Bring paper towels. Their restrooms only have hand dryers, which are not only loud, but also just not ideal! Your guests will thank you, and this simple wedding essential ensures your day runs smoothly no matter what.
ELEVATED
Renting pedicabs for your guests adds that fun, New York twist while keeping everyone comfortable and avoiding a long walk to and from the street. It’s one of our top wedding favorites to make transportation memorable and photo-worthy, too.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
ESSENTIAL
Uplighting is one of those wedding essentials that completely transforms this venue once the sun sets. It enhances both ambiance and photography, and it’s honestly a MUST-HAVE here.
ELEVATED
Wrap the dance floor for a custom and cohesive design look. This adds a polished touch that feels ultra-luxurious without being over-the-top.
Harold Pratt House
ESSENTIAL
Candles on the stairs create a warm, romantic glow as guests arrive. An absolute wedding essential for this elegant venue. The soft light complements the timeless architecture.
ELEVATED
Removing the portraits from the ballroom gives a clean, neutral backdrop for your décor. It’s one of our best NYC wedding planner advice tips for creating a modern, elevated aesthetic at this timeless venue.
Burden Kahn Mansions
ESSENTIAL
Extra load-in and load-out time is key here. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes wedding essentials that saves stress and keeps vendors on schedule, especially at this venue.
ELEVATED
Upgrading the reception chairs makes a huge impact visually. This instantly elevates the entire design and guest experience.
Wave Hill
ESSENTIAL
Transportation for your guests is non-negotiable here. With its scenic yet tucked-away location, this wedding essential ensures everyone arrives relaxed and on time.
ELEVATED
Skip the linens and go for long farm tables or wooden tables. This warms up the space beautifully and photographs well.
The Beekman
ESSENTIAL
Bring in your own ceremony chairs. Not only will it feel more wedding-like than what the hotel offers, but it also allows for better spacing, creating a big difference in comfort and flow.
ELEVATED
Host your after-party at Laissez-Faire. Your party may end a bit too early at the Beekman, but it doesn’t mean the night can’t continue! It will create unforgettable memories for you and your guests.
Aurora
ESSENTIAL
Hire a DJ - not just a playlist for dancing! The energy a professional brings is unmatched and totally worth the investment.
ELEVATED
Table runners instantly elevate the overall design, adding texture and warmth. Bonus wedding favorite: a late-night gelato cart - fun, interactive, and delicious!
The William Vale
ESSENTIAL
A second photographer is absolutely worth it. With so many dynamic spaces and angles on this rooftop, this guarantees you won’t miss a single moment.
ELEVATED
Upgrade your ceremony and reception chairs, and consider adding strings or a live sax player to the band. This brings energy and sophistication to the entire celebration.
At the end of the day, wedding essentials keep your day running seamlessly, while wedding favorites create those unforgettable, personal touches. The best NYC wedding planner advice? Mix both and always make it your own.
New York Wedding Planner | Brittney Bartling | BLB Events
Planning an intimate wedding in New York requires more than just vision—it demands expertise and flawless execution. That’s where we come in. As a full-service wedding planning team, we specialize in curating elevated, multi-day wedding experiences that reflect your style while keeping everything on track and within reach. We'll help you define your vision, determine a realistic budget, and assess if your dream weekend aligns with the logistics and costs of a high-end celebration in this region. If you're serious about hosting a wedding here - let’s connect!
Planner - BLB Events | Photographers- Kendall Rae, Eryc Perez de Tagle, Sasithon Photography, Masson Liang, Forged in the North, Brittney Raine, and Justin Jun Lee.
Photos by Kendall Rae Photo, Eryc Perez de Tagle, Forged in the North, A Fist Full of Bolts, The Anti Bride, and uncredited via Pinterest.