This past May we were honored to cater the International Women’s Forum’s opening reception to their 50^th Anniversary Leadership Conference at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). More than 1000 women from 30+ countries gathered to celebrate a legacy spanning 50 years of women leaders joining in community to support, uplift, and inspire each other.

During the conference itself, our CEO and Founder, Liz Neumark, was honored to receive the Women Who Made a Different Award, which salutes IWF members who have demonstrated innovative, tenacious, and transformational leadership, locally and globally.

The conference concluded with the 2024 Dine Around, a series of dinners, all taking place concurrently, at members’ homes throughout New York City. The largest one to date, it was the culmination of years of planning. Spearheaded by Gary Bedigan, Senior Event Director at Great Performances, it was a true demonstration of all of our core values at Great Performances.

We invited our event captains to capture the evening, showcasing their work in bringing Great Performances into each of the 44 private dinners at IWF members’ private homes, and we deployed chefs and captain-level waiters at each location. We invited our teams to share photos of themselves as they prepared for the event and the beautiful and diverse settings.

Our Team at IWF Dine Around

As we closed the evening, we were overwhelmed with the enthusiasm, camaraderie, and celebration of these incredible women as they gathered around the dinner tables to share a meal.

Dine Around 2024 Menu

Butlered Hors d’Oeuvres

Chickpea Pani Puri, mint, candied cumin seeds
Potato Cornet, wild mushroom mousse, sorrel
Tamari Ginger Tuna Poke, crisp sesame tuile

First Course

Cherries & Pearls Salad, bibb lettuce, goat cheese, radish, mint, tarragon

Entrée

Branzino & Roasted Spring Vegetables, saffron, lemon, carraway crisp
Vegan Torta Panzanella, roasted and smoked vegetables, herbed polenta, balsamic glaze, basil oil

Dessert

Assorted Petit Fours, fresh fruit tartlet, flourless chocolate cake bite, key lime tartlet, lemon curd pavlova, carrot cake bite, vanilla macaron

At the end of each Dine Around, our team baked a tray of our delicious GP Chocolate Chip Cookies as a sweet treat to leave for the hosts to enjoy.

On the surface, a wedding planner may not seem like an essential expense, especially when pitted against the more obvious needs of food, your dream venue, and a good DJ. But what most newly-weds-to-be don’t know is that hiring a wedding planner can actually save you money.

And that’s not all. Great Performances Wedding Specialist Amanda DiUglio spoke on the ways in which hiring a wedding planner might just save your big day.

Save Time

“Let the planner do the hard work. Let them research and find out information about all the places you’re looking [and] at the vendors so you don’t have to do any of the stressful things. They can come in [and] they can say here are my top five recommendations and take you through it without you having to do the hours and hours of work it really takes to plan the perfect wedding.”

Save Money

“They can help negotiate. They can help recommend different vendors that might have different price points. They can get you exactly what you’re looking for and help you really craft your budget to make sure it works all within what you’re looking to spend.”

Save Energy

“Your planners have worked in weddings for normally a very long time and have a good list of vendors who they love partnering with. They’re suggesting them because they do a great job and they want your wedding to come out perfect. So trust their recommendations and really look into the vendors that they recommend.”

Each season has its perks and pitfalls when it comes to planning a wedding, but oftentimes the positives can outweigh the more unfavorable aspects.

Great Performances Wedding Specialist Amanda DiUglio highlighted for us the top 3 reasons why you should consider getting married in the spring.

#1 All is in bloom

Flourishing in the influx of sunny days, gardens and greenery are bound to be blooming in abundance. Whether you decide to host your ceremony outside or indoors, pulling from the lush natural elements is sure to give your special day an extra dose of serenity. From bountiful bouquets to stunning organic backdrops, you can’t go wrong with incorporating the fruits of the season in your wedding design.

#2 Post-winter and ready to party

Shedding the dreary days of constant gray, woodland creatures aren’t the only ones emerging from hibernation. Though more of the metaphorical variety, it’s undeniable that the first signs of sunlight draw out even the most introverted individual’s desire to socialize. A spring wedding is an enticing break from the monotony of the colder months, sure to increase that RSVP rate and bring together all those you haven’t seen since before the first snowfall.

#3 Temperate temperatures

With warm afternoons and cool evenings, the moderate embrace of spring is sure to create a comfortable atmosphere for your many celebrations. The perfect porridge for a wide array of guests, you’re certain to settle somewhere “just right” when it comes to desired degrees. No sweating through suits or shivering in sleeveless dresses, there will be smiles all around, allowing for an enjoyable exchange of vows.

Main photo credit Gulnara Samoilova

We invited our colleague, Bella Camara, a garde manger cook, to share her experience of working in food service during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a holy month that is observed as a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

Ramdan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. During the month of Ramadan Muslims around the globe fast from sunrise to sunset. Meaning that we can eat or drink anything while the sun is out. Ramadan is the month that the holy Quran began to be revealed to Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). It is an obligation upon all Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan except children who have not reach puberty, the elderly, women who are menstruating, women breastfeeding a newborn, and people who are physically or mentally sick. Ramadan is not only the month of fasting but the month of giving charity and feeding the less fortunate.

It takes a lot of discipline and self-control to work in the kitchen while fasting during the month of Ramadan. Many people who are not Muslims always ask, how do we (as Muslims) do it. The reason we can fast while working with food is because many of us have been fasting since we were 14 or 15 years. Even though we have been fasting since we were teenagers, being around food while fasting is very tempting because your sense of smell is heightened, and your body is craving food. But you must focus on the rewards you will get if you do not break your fast before sunset and the sins if you break (without any valid reason) your fast before sunset. We also try to keep our minds off the food as much as possible when we are fasting. It is not that difficult to fast during Ramadan while working with food.

Last year, we shared our new mission, Unleash Joy through Genuine Hospitality. It’s at the heart of everything we do and encompasses the delicious food and impeccable service that we bring to every event we cater and every space we operate. At the core of this is our operations team, which I’ve been honored to lead for the past few years.

To kick off the spring season, we brought together the operational leaders at Great Performances to talk through the key aspects of our team dynamics. From Culinary to Pastry and Venues to Warehouse, we covered topics including collaboration guidelines, empowerment, questioning the status quo, and creating an inclusive and innovative environment.

One notable point of discussion centered around the concept of “unleashing human magic,” highlighting the importance of feeling valued and encouraged to be oneself at work.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of reframing challenges as opportunities and adopting a solution-driven mindset. Team members were encouraged to shift from a mindset of “I can’t” to “How can we?” to promote problem-solving and mutual support within the team.

With this team, leadership and moral authority are always key topics of discussion, with an emphasis on earning authority through actions and character rather than exerting power over others.

At the end of the event, we donned t-shirts spelling out Great Performances to represent that although we are all individual contributors, together, we become the whole of Great Performances.

Meet the team:

Culinary

Albert Bello – Executive Pastry Chef (2nd E)

Andrew Smith – Culinary Director (!)

Bridgid Randolph – Culinary Administrator (1st E)

Daniel Dougherty – Director of Beverage (3rd R)

Daniel Sokolov – Research & Development Chef (3rd E)

Geoff Koo – Research & Development Pastry Chef (O)

Javier Carrasquillo – Corporate Chef de Cuisine (2nd R)

Michael Steifman – Executive Sous of Catering Operations (M)

Mike Deuel – Executive Chef of Catering Operations (F)

Rachel Taffet – Food & Beverage Coordinator (1st R)

Stratos Georgedakis – Executive Production Chef (G)

Design

Micha Bentel – Creative Director (1st A)

Hospitality and Staffing

John Gargano – Director of Service (N)

Steven Moskos – Director of Staffing (S)

Logistics

Willie Carrasquillo – Director of Transportation (C)

Procurement

Vince Gubbins – Director of Purchasing (T)

Zach Mayer – Director of Fulfillment (P)

Venue Operations

Christina Macaluso – Executive Director of Venues (2nd A)

Learn about the hidden gems, exciting events, and volunteer opportunities at six of our favorite and most beautiful parks and gardens in New York City. New York City is more than a concrete jungle – it’s home to more than 29,000 acres of green space across 1,942 sites. It’s impossible to go far without stumbling across a park or garden, and we’re featuring six locations here: Bronx River, Caramoor, CityParks, Governors Island, Riverside Park, Van Cortlandt Park, and Wave Hill. They’re sharing some of the exciting events and features to enjoy this spring and summer, including some exclusive insider tips! Read on to discover these spaces and plan your next adventure in New York City!

The Bronx River

Contributor: Alyssa Perez, Communications and Development Assistant

At the Bronx River Alliance, great strides are being made to promote community advocacy and stewardship right here in the Bronx. A major testament to our work was the opening of Starlight Park Phase II in 2023 that created new pedestrian bridges, added to the existing Bronx River Greenway, and incorporated stormwater retention features into the development. This all-new connection brought communities together! In addition, our continued efforts in rain garden maintenance speaks to the prevalent flooding issues NYC experiences during wet weather events.

For a unique experience, you can canoe the Bronx River during programming season, visit the ONLY edible food garden at Concrete Plant Park’s Foodway, and cycle continuously through on the Bronx River Greenway. You can also join us at major events like Open House on April 20th, Our Amazing Bronx River Flotilla on May 4th, and so many volunteer opportunities for an experience unlike any other in the Bronx! Find us at bronxriver.org or @bronx_river on Instagram!

Caramoor

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, NY just announced the 79th Summer Season and tickets are now on sale! The concert season is from June 9 – August 16, and features a wide variety of genres throughout the summer. What makes Caramoor different from all other venues? The non-profit organization sits on 80 acres of grounds, which lends itself to having four very distinct outdoor venues. You could potentially go to four concerts at Caramoor and have four entirely different concert experiences! Concert highlights include a Music & Meditation series that’s located in the lush and butterfly-filled Sunken Garden, world-renowned stars in the Venetian Theater such as Sutton Foster, Rhiannon Giddens, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and so many more. The Spanish Courtyard provides a serene experience where you can sit among the stars in a very intimate venue which is perfect for chamber music, and sit back and relax (or dance!) on Friends Field during the popular Concert on the Lawn series where picnicking is encouraged – check out the Great Performances Concessions Tent for some great bites! Don’t forget to check out their all-day American Roots and Jazz Festivals, which is a great way to see all the corners of Caramoor while listening to multiple musicians in one day. Plus, check out their calendar for free concerts and the Concerts for Little Ones series that is geared for ages 2–6. Here’s a tip! For most Caramoor summer concerts, there is a free shuttle that goes back and forth between the Katonah Metro-North train station and the venue. This means you can take the hour-long train ride from NYC, and easily get to Caramoor and back to the train! Caramoor is the perfect place to experience live music while being in the beautiful outdoors!

CityParks

We’re gearing up for our busiest season at City Parks Foundation, as the weather warms up and New Yorkers start coming back to their local parks. In celebration of Earth Day, we’re excited to share what we’ll be working on across the city.

Our CityParks Play team will be hosting free sports instruction across all five boroughs for both kids and seniors, with everything from tennis to tai chi on offer right in your neighborhood park. At CityParks Learn, we’ll be going into the classroom and hosting park field trips to teach kids about biodiversity and the role that our parks play in mitigating climate change.

Our programs wouldn’t be possible without parks that are well cared for – if you’re interested in giving back to your community, check out our wide range of It’s My Park beautification and service projects coming up this Earth Day (and every day!). Come together with your community to make a difference right in your neighborhood.

Then, bring the whole family to enjoy a show at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, which is currently featuring the high-flying tale of a cow who joins the circus in Bessie’s Big Shot. It’s a perfect family-friendly activity, with showings Thursday-Sunday in Central Park.

And of course, we will soon announce a new season of SummerStage, coming to you from May to October in parks across New York City. Already we’ve announced several stellar benefit shows in Central Park, from new “jazz-trap-alt” artist Masego to Irish legends The Saw Doctors, and our entire season of free concerts will follow later this month. Sign up for our membership program today so you can enjoy perks at concerts, including skipping the line and watching the show as a VIP. As always, you can also enjoy delicious food right in Central Park thanks to our partnership with Great Performances– so be sure to come hungry.

See you in the parks!

Governors Island

Contributor: The Trust for Governors Island

From free arts and culture to climate solutions demonstrations from NYC’s most innovative small businesses to large scale concerts with powerhouse headliners, there is something for everyone at Governors Island—now open 365 days a year. The summer season will feature 20+ food and beverage vendors, a packed calendar of free events, a unique collection of arts and cultural programming, monthly nature walks, free walking tours, volunteer opportunities, and, of course, some of the city’s most unique outdoor recreation, including 7 miles of car-free bike paths, urban hiking in our award winning, climate resilient park, and the longest slide in NYC.

Don’t miss our incredible collection of public art, presented through Governors Island Arts—the Trust’s arts and culture program. The Island is home to long term and tem¬po¬rary works from mul¬ti¬dis¬ci¬pli¬nary artists that interact with and respond to Gov¬er¬nors Island’s park and his¬toric landscapes. We also have a large cohort of Organizations in Residence presenting free exhibits, artist residencies, and events every weekend from May through November in the Island’s historic former military houses.

We have a ton of new resources on our website to help visitors connect with our green space—head to the Governors Island Nature tab under “About” to see what plants are currently in season (and where to find them), explore an interactive map of the Island’s 3,500+ trees, and learn about each of our natural areas and the ecological horticultural projects that help them thrive.

Governors Island offers a unique opportunity for organizations and event producers to reach new audiences in an unforgettable setting. At the Trust for Governors Island, we work with cultural, educational and commercial organizations to host independent festivals, concerts, outdoor exhibitions, performances, screenings, workshops, and more.

Riverside Park

Contributor: Alison Ettinger-DeLong, Communications Manager at Riverside Park Conservancy

2024 is an exciting year for Riverside Park Conservancy! Working in partnership with NYC Parks, the Conservancy cares for five Manhattan parks: Riverside Park, Riverside Park South, Sakura Park, West Harlem Piers Park, and the shoreline portion of Fort Washington Park up to 181st Street. Comprising nearly 400 acres of public parkland, the area is enjoyed by millions of people each year and provides critical habitat for birds and other wildlife. The Conservancy is committed to building a more sustainable Park – from climate resiliency to environmental justice to financial stability.

We recommend exploring the Park’s pollinator meadows and gardens, which provide valuable habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinator populations. Our 119^th Street Pollinator Meadow is a hidden gem; to reach it, follow the path behind the nearby 119^th Street Tennis Courts, and you’ll reach an expansive, hidden meadow filled with tall flowers and grasses.

This year, the Conservancy is expanding our popular Summer on the Hudson public programming, with many new events in the northern section of our park. The brand-new array of events uptown complements the Conservancy’s increased focus on volunteer activities, landscape stewardship, park equity and community partnerships. Uptown parkgoers can now enjoy movie screenings by the Hudson River waterfront each Thursday in August as well as a Black Birders Week birding walk hosted in partnership with NYC Audubon. Returning events uptown include Fort Washington Park’s beloved Little Red Lighthouse Festival and World Fish Migration Day, and last year’s inaugural Sunset Yoga series at the 145th Street Lawn.

NYC Parks welcomes a variety of permitted events in the Park, including birthday parties, weddings, and other celebrations.

Van Cortlandt Park

Exciting things happening in Van Cortlandt Park this spring and early summer:

Volunteer with us, as we gear up for spring, planting lots of new trees and shrubs. Upcoming volunteer events are listed on the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance calendar here.
From April 26-29, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance will participate in the City Nature Challenge, a global contest or “bio blitz” between cities to find and document wildlife on iNaturalist. Any picture, video, or recorded sound of plants, animals, or evidence of life counts as a submission! Van Cortlandt Park had the most wildlife observations of any NYC park two years ago! Details on a public event for this challenge coming soon!
Van Cortlandt Park is a great place to explore the history of NYC with sites like the Grand Central Stones and the Van Cortlandt House Museum
Cultural events, like our annual Pinkster Festival on Saturday, May 4, connect visitors to the park’s history through live music, crafts, and food.
On Tuesday, June 11, the New York Philharmonic plays its annual free concert on Van Cortlandt Park’s Parade Ground. With dazzling fireworks at the end of the evening, it’s our favorite way to kick off summer!

Event Suggestions:

Hike in Van Cortlandt Park – the best way to escape the sights and sounds of the city, accessible via subway! Full list of trails here
Summertime is the best time to picnic in the park!

Note that any event in the park of 20 people or more requires a Special Events permit, which must be applied for at least 30 days in advance. More info at the link here.

Wave Hill

Contributor: Jess Brey, Senior Horticultural Interpreter at Wave Hill

My favorite view at Wave Hill is from the Secret Garden. An enclosed hillside surrounded by hedges and specimen trees and shrubs offers intimacy with a view. The plantscaping directs attention towards a “garden window”, a break in the plants, to enjoy the best view. Overlooking the nearby Conservatory and Flower Garden, the view spans out towards sweeping lawns and the distant Hudson River and New Jersey Palisades. Many times, there will be some Wave Hill chairs positioned in the Secret Garden offering a seated view from underneath the sweeping arms of an old blue Atlas cedar. Many miss this garden area on their visit as it is a “secret”, however I think it is one of the must stops at Wave Hill during late spring into early autumn. You can even watch Sunset Wednesday concerts from here!

Last month, we unleashed joy in the most epic way at our 40+4 Anniversary Celebration at our Bronx HQ. We invited our partners, collaborators, clients, vendors, and more to join us as we celebrated 40 (plus 4) years of being of service, delivering deliciousness, and helping others celebrate their milestones.

From the moment our guests arrived at our building – by car or by foot – they knew they’d arrived at the right place when they saw the large graffiti mural by Scratch decorating the front of the building and were greeted with the The Marching Cobras Drumline and Danceline who dazzled with energizing drums and electrifying dance.

Guests quickly checked their coats and stepped into Mae Mae Café and Plant Shop where they enjoyed live jazz music from Jazz at Lincoln Center and got their first bite and sip of the day – a Berry Beet Shot and some Carrot Tartare – before they embarked on a tour of our space.

We had so much to share with our guests! They started with the first floor commissary that starts on the south with the loading dock for incoming ingredients, goes through various walk in refrigerators, cold kitchens and hot kitchens, blast chillers, and pack out refrigerators to the out going loading dock. Inside the production kitchen which was still bustling with activity, they enjoyed some bites highlighting our production lines. The Sauce line presented Butternut Squash Soup with Truffled Croutons; the Starch Line presented Twice Baked Potato Gruyere Bites; and the Vegetable Line presented Eggplant Meatballs.

A fan favorite at our venues and at our 40^th was a guest appearance from our friend and partner, Charles’ Pan Fried Chicken who served bite-sized portions of his Chicken Slider, Catfish Slider, and Cornbread.

Guests then headed up to the third floor, home to our administrative offices and pastry kitchen, where they had a photo moment in front of our mural painted by Crash, peeked in at the Sylvia Center and the Design/Marketing Offices before continuing through the main office to the Pastry Kitchen where they grabbed one of our incredibly delicious chocolate chip cookies.

A quick hop down to the second floor, they had the chance to see our Design Warehouse, a cave of wonders packed with all the essentials to turn an event into a party! Walking past our Subway Mural created by Scratch (complete with subway audio!), they stepped into our 2nd Floor Event Space! We transformed the open space into a swanky lounge with bars, food stations, a demo area, and a seated lounge.

Warm, friendly staff members greeted guests and offered a selection of our most popular hors d’oeuvres including House Made Kosher Pigs in a Blanket; Smoked Salmon Napoleon; Tuna in a Birds Nest; Mushroom Mole Tostada; Habanero Smoked Tofu Taco; Red Pepper Puffed Tortilla; Fluke Ceviche; Goat Cheese Bonbon; Beet Terrine; and Boneless Lamb Chop.

Guests wandered around the space, learning about our Exclusive Venue Partners and Nonprofit Partners (and how to support them); learning more about our history through our wall of Iconic Moments; adding their tags to a graffiti wall by Scratch; becoming experts in napkin folding with Kevin Horne, a long-time member of our event team; slinging cocktails with our mixologist Daniel Dougherty; and learning how to use vegetables in place of meat with Chef Andrew Smith.

We made sure everyone stayed hydrated throughout the event with our bar station and beverages from our partners at Dio. And of course we made sure that everyone left full of delicious treats from stations representing the breadth of our menus and partners.

At Katchkie Deli, named after our organic farm in upstate New York and featuring a vegan take on the classic NY Reuben with a Pastrami Cured Butternut Squash on Herbed Focaccia.

We shared our Momofuku Station, a collaboration with Momofuku to prepare and share their recipes at events, sharing Charred Eggplant Dip; Tingly Lamb; Chilled Spicy Noodles; Ginger Scallion Noodles; Spicy Pork Rice Cakes; Wagyu Ragu Rice Cakes; Shiitake Bao; Brisket Bao; Bing Bread.

Our friends at Russ & Daughters hosted a station featuring Bagel Chips; Latkes; Wild Alaskan Salmon Roe; Trout Roe; Smoked Salmon.

We worked with JJ Johnson to bring FIELDTRIP to the party with their fan favorite Short Rib & Carolina Rice Bowl and Quinoa Falafel & Wild Rice Bowl.

We rounded out the menu with our Pan African Station serving a variety of dishes that represent different regions across Africa: Chapati (East African Flatbread); Zaalouk (Moroccan Vegetable Dip); Burkina Faso Chicken Brochette; Senegalese Jollof Rice; Khudraat Mashwiyya (Moroccan Spiced Roasted Vegetables); Kelewele (Ghanian Sweet Plantain); and Tanzanian Tofu Curry.

We were thrilled to receive a number of citations and proclamations including a Citation of Merit from Vanessa L. Gibson, President of the Borough of The Bronx; and a proclamation from Mayor Eric Adams declaring March 11, 2024 Great Performances Day in New York City!

It was an incredibly joyous event, and we lived up to our Mission of Unleashing Joy through Genuine Hospitality. We love throwing parties with our clients; and we love even more having them over at our own home and throwing a party for them!

40+4 Video

Video credit: Hechler Photographers

Great Performances Through the Years

Gallery images credit Hechler Photographers

WOLLMAN RINK CELEBRATES ITS THIRD SEASON WITH GREAT PERFORMANCES

By Stacy Shuster, Wollman Rink

At Great Performances, we’ve been thrilled to partner with Wollman Rink since it’s reopening three years ago. We’ve captured the spirit of New York City with our menus featured at the Cafe and through our partnership with Melba’s Cafe which operates a kiosk on the overlook.

With tempting treats from hot chocolate and a Chili Bar, we’re delighted to offer delicious and warming dishes that can accommodate a variety of dietary preferences.

Learn more about our partnership with Wollman Park Partners (WPP), a join venture between HSBE, Related Companies, and Equinox below.

Featured in iconic films such as Serendipity and Home Alone 2, Central Park’s Wollman Rink has become an everlasting symbol of New York City. The ice skating rink kicked off another ice season in October and welcomed tourists from across the globe to experience a picturesque holiday season in NYC.

As the venue’s food and beverage partner, Great Performances introduced skaters to a variety of new options this season to enjoy at Wollman Rink’s rinkside cafe. The latest cozy treats included a Build Your Own Chili Bar featuring vegan options and a Pasta Station with bolognese, alfredo, and a rotating chef’s special. Also new this season is the Sundae Station with a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings to create some frozen magic alongside a signature Hot Chocolate Bar for a cozy treat.

In addition to introducing new options, Great Performances brought back some fan favorites including the Wollman Smash Burger (secret sauce, cheddar cheese, pickles, potato bun), which is also available as a Vegan Smash Burger, and the classic New York Style Hot Dog with the classic toppings available all beef or vegan. To enhance some of these favorite dishes, Great Performances sourced ingredients straight from their organic farm, Katchkie Farm, to bring Thunder Pickles and Katchkie Hot Sauce to Central Park.

For upscale corporate and private events, Great Performances has introduced enhanced catering packages to be enjoyed for both full venue buyouts or intimate private events in the rinkside tents. The new catering packages include a carving station with options like a delectable filet mignon, brie fondue, artisanal cheese boards, and a raw bar with fresh seafood and sauces.

Wollman Rink is celebrating its third season of operation by Wollman Park Partners (WPP) – a joint venture between HBSE, Related Companies and Equinox. With the evolving and creative menus from Great Performances, Wollman Rink continues to serve both New Yorkers and tourists alike as a dynamic culinary destination.

When it comes to choosing the perfect season for your wedding, summer holds a special appeal for many couples. From vibrant outdoor backdrops to longer daylight hours that stretch celebrations into golden evenings, the advantages are endless.

In this article, Amanda, GP’s resident wedding expert and seasoned event director, brings her extensive experience—gained from working on hundreds of weddings across New York City’s most sought-after venues—to highlight the top three reasons why a summer wedding could be the ideal choice.

Whether you’re envisioning a chic city rooftop or a scenic outdoor ceremony, Amanda’s insider insights will help you make the most of every summer advantage while crafting an unforgettable celebration.

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Beautiful crudite featuring many vegetables from the farm

Kat Huang & Eric Schreiber Wedding at Wave Hill. September 3rd 2022

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#1 Fruitful Farmland

Encouraged by the early spring rain, farms are at peak production, providing a wide variety of fresh produce to incorporate in your menu. Few fruits and vegetables are off limits in the summer months, making it all the more enjoyable to craft the perfect assortment of dishes to accompany your big day. Our very own organic farm in Hudson Valley, Katchkie Farm, is always a source of great inspiration to us here at GP, especially during the summer season.

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#2 Fun Food Activations

Drawing from nostalgic summers past, implementing related fun food activations is a perk of planning a wedding for the warmer months. Ice cream trucks and pool-side inspired petit fours are both engaging and delicious, sure to be enjoyed by all of your guests.

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#3 Flourishing Florals

If sand’s not your thing, no worries! A lush garden wedding is guaranteed to be just as much of a hit. Similar to the flourishing farm, gardens everywhere will be in full bloom, making for the perfect fairytale-style setting in which you can begin your Happily Ever After.

Main photo by Daniel Chen (Chennergy)

2022 IN PHOTOS

By Great Performances

What an adventure 2022 has been! Coming out of pandemic to a flurry of events from company events and employee gatherings to fundraisers and galas; from intimate dinners to lavish weddings! It’s been wonderful gathering and celebrating with all of you.

With so many photos to choose from, we’ve selected a few of our favorites that capture the spirit of 2022.