Invitations

So you have something to celebrate and you've decided to throw a party. It can be a birthday, a baby or bridal shower, engagement party or just a little get together to catch up with some friends. There is one thing you must have. Invitations! Yes, you can buy them and fill in the blanks or have them personalized with your info online, that is somewhat easy. The real challenge is making them meaningful.

Sure you can send out simple invites. No problem. However, when a celebration comes around that is truly one of a kind, you should put a little more effort into it. Just think of the event and the decor involved. Your invitations should reflect the event so your guests get a little sneak peak as to what is up ahead. It is also nice if they reflect you or who the event is for.

Personally, I feel the invitations and save the date's if you're planning a wedding, should excite your guests. Don't you want them to count down the days? Sure! Especially, if it's a big event. I mean, you're celebrating for a reason. This is your chance to show some style, uniqueness and authentic design. Start putting down the bricks and lead your guests down the yellow brick road, all the way to your fabulous event.

There are no rules except one: make sure the text is readable. If your guests can't make it out, you might not have everyone come, haha. I love designing items like invitations. Like cards and stationary, you have a certain amount of space to work with so you don't really need to think about size. It's all about the design. So this is why I say make it spectacular. It's the first thing people will see!

Here are some invitations I found that I feel are really great. I hope they inspire you as much as they did me. Remember, think out of the box and explore your options. Research, research, research! Get creative and have fun.

NY Wedding DIY Venues - The 5 Boroughs

Ok guys. I already shared venues in Long Island. Here are some great spaces to consider in the 5 boroughs - NYC, Queens and Brooklyn. Remember, there are always places in your area where you can have an event. You just need to do your research. There might not be one up the block but I can guarantee you will be surprised as to what you find.

The Foundry - Long Island City
This is one of the best places I have seen in the area. This 2,000 square foot industrial space has history, natural elements and romance all in one. It used to be d The Albra Metal Foundry and is now restored and truly magical. You can have your ceremony there as well. The foundry has an interior space, a courtyard, a mezzanine and a terrace area for cocktails. There is even a greenhouse on the property. You can rent all of it for your event.





Rates start around $7000 and vary depending on the spaces you include for your event. It can hold up to 200 guests for cocktails and 125 for a sit down dinner. You are renting the raw space so you would have to hire caterers and rentals. The site provides a hostess, a doorman and a parking attendant. If you want a unique, elegant and NY feel to your wedding, the foundry is a great choice.





Blanchet Flowers - Manhattan
If you decide to have a small, intimate wedding, Blanchet Flowers is a sweet pick. You can guarantee the space will smell and look beautiful - I mean geez, it's a flower shop! Talk about whimsy. It would be perfect for an engagement dinner or party as well.





The Queens County Farm Museum - Floral Park
For a rustic, historic farm wedding I highly recommend this quaint venue. Yours truly has picked it for her special day! This pick is DIY all the way so if you want total freedom, this works out great. I would only suggest it if you love animals and the farm atmosphere.



You can rent the Barn Complex for $1600 (4 hours) and $200 each additional hour, the Pavilion for $800 (4 hours) and the Orchard for $2200 that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. Chairs and tables are included in most packages and they are really lenient with their permit rules. You can even add on animal feeding and hayrides. Yay! For a fun, whimsy, vintage wedding you will find this restoration farm affordable and lively.





Prospect Park - Brooklyn
Being surrounded by nature is a perfect way to start you and your fiance's new life together. It's no surprise NYC parks can bring that Earthly feel to your special day. Prospect Park offers a gorgeous Boathouse to rent for events as well as the Picnic House.



Renovated in 2002, the Boathouse features two levels and a balcony. Built in 1905, the Beaux Arts style building represents elegance, style and pure class. The historic space is available for events 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. every day. It can accommodate up to 125 guests and 220 if tents are on site. Six security staff, a bridal suite and free guest parking are included. They have an exclusive caterer, The Movable Feast, so unfortunately you have to use them but I'm sure they will work with you on whatever you have planned. Ceremonies can be booked 10 a.m. to noon on weekends from April to October. The rate is $750 which includes 40 chairs and one staff member.



Built in 1927, the Picnic House is a 4,000-square-foot brick and glass enclosed pavilion. It's a Renaissance style building that overlooks Long Meadow and its vast 90 acres. It can accommodate up to 175 guests for dinner and up to 250 for cocktail parties. The Picnic House is available Tuesday through Sunday between 8 a.m. and 1 a.m. and is rented in 8 hour blocks. Prices range from $3375 to $4800 and chairs and tables are included. Elegance, nature and historical style gleams brightly, making it perfect for a wedding.





The Liberty Warehouse - Brooklyn
Located on Pier 1 in Red Hook, the Liberty Warehouse sits on New York's historic shipping yards on the tip of the water. This historic pre-Civil War space was built in the 1850s but recently renovated. It has two large and small rooms as well as a stage area. It's 3,000 square foot waterside patio has a stunning view of the NY harbor and the Statue of Liberty. It accommodates up to 600 for a sit down dinner and 1,000 for cocktails. There is a bridal suite and valet parking.





Perfect for your ceremony, reception and after party if your guests are up for it. The venue provides all food so you would have to take care of rentals and all design elements. You have a choice of The Governor's Room, the Bridge Room or the Harbor Room and all are exquisite.







The Palm House - Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens are a beautiful place to have a wedding. There is a Victorian Glasshouse and Garden Pavilions to die for. For a New York celebration that is magical, this venue will bring on the sunshine. Having your ceremony in the 52 gardens on site will amaze and brighten up the day. You can choose to have it inside as well. The Lily Pool is a perfect place to hold cocktails while the reception can come alive in the Palm House.



Daytime (11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and Evening (after 6 p.m. for 5 hours) rates range from $1335 to $5085 and catering fees start at $130 to $150 a person. If you have a nice budget to work with and do not want a traditional wedding, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens make a perfect place. It's possible to stay under 20K if you have a small celebration.





I hope these venues were of some inspiration to you all. Remember, research!! Be smart and do your homework. See what works best for you and make it happen.

NY Venues for a DIY Wedding - Long Island

When I researched venues for my wedding next spring I knew three things: it had to be unique, authentic and whimsy. Don't forget affordable! Since I was the bride, the wedding planner and the designer, the venue had to give me the freedom to do what I wanted. I pretty much needed a blank slate to present my awesomeness.

After a few months I narrowed the list down to four places and visited each one. Some of them twice to be sure. After receiving all the details and checking out the venues my fiance and I made a decision. We actually chose the venue we originally wanted before looking at the others. A vineyard out east lured us in but upon learning the fees, permits and rules, we opted for our current choice. Even though we ended up where we started, I am happy I researched and considered other places. It's one of the fun elements of planning a wedding.

So now I can share some of those places with you. If you live in New York or would like to get married here, these venues are definitely worth checking out. Let the sharing begin!

Brecknock Hall
This historic mansion is absolutely gorgeous. The home of David Floyd, grandson of WIlliam Floyd, was built between 1851-1857 and makes a perfect choice for a romantic and elegant wedding. The mansion is secluded and private and surrounded by nature. Located in Greenport by the water, the 19th century Italian cobblestone building reflects class, beauty and vintage style.



There is only one wedding booked at a time so the whole weekend is dedicated to you. There is no rush to get everything out right away. For $7,000 you get to use the whole mansion which accommodates up to 450 guests. There is a bridal suite to die for and a groom suite your fiance and his best men will love. All you have to do is hire the caterers and add the touches of design. You can have your ceremony outside and feature the reception inside and I can guarantee your guests will be in awe. You can contact Diane Radigan for more information at diane@brecknockhall.com



Hallockville Farm Museum
If you want a rustic, vintage wedding, than this is your place. Located in Riverhead, the museum grounds are quite beautiful with a vast 500 acres of farm land and several historic buildings to explore. This natural setting is perfect for nature lovers who appreciate the simple things in life. You have the option to set up tents or rent the Naugles Barn on site. Rental fees for the museum grounds only range from $2200 to $3300.





The 1500 square foot barn was built in 1938 and has been restored to hold events. Talk about authenticity! The barn has electricity, a small space for caterers but no heating or cooling. So if you choose this venue I recommend its during a nice cool month. Prices vary from $2800 to $4000 depending on the amount of guests you have and there are a few permits you will need as well. Make sure to get all information before considering this venue.







Martha Clara Vineyard
This was the venue that we were going to pick but decided on another place. However, this is a beautiful space to have a wedding. I recommend spring into fall so you can appreciate the peach orchard and lush vineyard. They allow the horses to roam as well in the nice weather so that's a bonus!

The restored potato barn is huge! I love the rustic feel. The bathrooms are newly updated, there is a cute nautical themed bridal suite as well as a space for the groom and his guys on the second floor. You can have the ceremony outside up to 250 people on the Merlot field for an extra $250 or ask to use the bridal gazebo.







Tents are also an option out on the Chardonnay field for $2000 to $5000 which includes electric. Prices range from $4000 to $6000 from May 1 to October 31st and $3000 to $4000 from November 1 to April 30th. You will need permits and licenses from each company providing food and also to serve liquor. A wine purchase is required for the event as well.



Nassau County Museum of Art
If you want a night wedding surrounded by art why not pick a museum? The rental site includes meadows, formal gardens, outdoor sculptures and a trellis all within the former 19th century Fricke Estate mansion. The 145 acre property located in Roslyn Harbor this venue will help you put together a grand evening wedding you will never forget. Contact Frances Diesu at 516) 484-9338, ext. 15 or fdiesu@nassaumuseum.org for more information and rates.







The Hedges Inn
Located in East Hampton, this cozy inn is a perfect setting for an intimate affair. Friends and family can even stay over making it even easier for your guests that are traveling to the event. Offering 12 luxurious rooms, 400 year old gardens and trees and a relaxing setting that create a calm and romantic environment for your special day. It would also be nice for an engagement dinner. Just expect it to be a little pricier than other venues.





Other venues to check out!

Bailey Arboretum - Lattingtown


Long Island Vineyards

Brenner's Farm - East Setauket


Happy planning!