The Glasshouses

How to Choose the Perfect Venue for Your Wedding Reception

The venue you choose for your reception should be as perfect as your wedding day itself. When shopping for a wedding venue, consider how much space you require, the visual quality of the venue surroundings, and the amount of creative control you expect. 

Look for Ample Space

• The average number of wedding guests in 2011 was 138, according to TheWeddingReport.com. Choose a venue that gives your guests enough space to mingle and enjoy themselves. Aim for a venue with high ceilings and a maximum capacity above the number of guests you expect. A 3,400 to 3,600 sq. ft. space can accommodate 150 for a seated dinner and 200 for a standing cocktail reception.

Consider the View

• Because it will be the backdrop for thousands of wedding photos, pick a venue with visually pleasing backgrounds. Ask yourself if there’s enough natural light and interesting views, like the sunset or city skyline. A venue with glass walls is great for providing these backdrops while protecting you from the uncertainties of weather.

Choose a Venue that Gives You Creative Control

• Some wedding venues pull out the same old tables, chairs, and linens that they’ve used a thousand times in previous weddings. While well-maintained facility equipment works fine for some brides and grooms, others prefer a little more say in what decorative and functional items to include in a wedding reception. Pick a wedding venue that allows you to exercise creative control while providing the technical infrastructure like adjustable lighting, high-quality sound systems for music and microphones, and a fully-equipped kitchen for the caterer.

The Glasshouses offers two possible wedding reception locations, both with floor-to-ceiling glass window walls and stunning waterfront views of lower Manhattan, the Upper West Side, and the Hudson River. Explore our event spaces in the up-and-coming NYC neighborhood of Chelsea to see if it’s the right location for your reception. Give us a call at (888) 803-8573 for more information. 

Stay Organized!: Party Planning 101

Planning a party and need some tips? Check out these websites below for some inspiration, but don't forget to get some help from the friendly people at your NYC event space! At The Glasshouses, we make sure that your event is the best it can be. Call us at (888) 803-8573 to find out how we can help you plan the event of the year!

• Use the party planning checklist on this page from RealSimple.com for a more detailed schedule to help you stay organized.

• Find more party responsibilities to put on your planning list on this page from Better Homes and Gardens.

• You can visit this page from MarthaStewart.com for more inspiration to help you plan your next party.

• If you are planning your wedding, head over to this page from HowStuffWorks.com for a list of questions to ask your event planner.

• Check out this page from TheNibble.com for a list of tips you can use to find the perfect party caterer.

Questions to Ask Your Event Planner

Planning a special event requires a great deal of time and dedication. Hiring an event planner will let you escape some of those responsibilities and enjoy your party as much as your guests! The Glasshouses can provide the perfect event space in NYC for your celebration, and a party planner will help you take care of all of the details. Just be sure to ask these questions:

Can you work with my budget?

• Creating a budget is an important first step when planning any type of special event. It will be easier to stay on track and stay organized if you have a number in mind when choosing the details. Go over your visions and goals for your event and discuss how to prioritize your budget in order to plan your dream party.

What local vendors do you work with?

• Your event planner will be in charge of finalizing all of the details for your event. If you already have an idea of the types of elements you want to include in your wedding, birthday party, or other celebration, you should ask your party planner about the vendors they typically work with. This will help you determine how to transform your visions into reality!

Do you have any input or suggestions?

• Incorporating your style and personality into the planning process is an important part of planning an event that you will always remember. But your event planner has professional experience that can come in handy! Throughout the process, ask your party planner for any advice or tips they may have regarding your ideas and visions. Working together will help you find the most convenient, affordable, and appropriate options for your special event.

Contact The Glasshouses today to learn more about our event space in NYC. We can accommodate 150 people for a seated dinner and provide built in lighting for all types of events. Come see the view! Give us a call at (888) 803-8573 to start planning your event.

How to Plan Dinner Party Seating

When planning the meal for your party, it is important to think about the type of food you want to serve as well as the type of service you want guests to experience. If you want to have a traditional sit-down dinner, you will need to work with your party venue to plan seating arrangements.

In this video, you will get tips that can help you plan the perfect dinner party seating arrangements. Keep the needs of different guests in mind, such as elderly guests and guests with children. It is also important to keep groups of family and friends together to make conversation easier among tables.

If you’re looking for a great party space or event space in New York City for your dinner party, come check out The Glasshouses in Chelsea. Both of our event spaces can accommodate 150 guests for a seated dinner. We also offer a fully equipped catering kitchen in order to provide the best food possible! Call us at (888) 803-8573 to learn about all of our amenities, and how we can help you create a beautiful event. 

Party Planning Checklist

Spring and summer provide a number of opportunities for fabulous parties with friends and family. But in order to make the most of your warm-weather bash, it is important to be fully prepared! Choosing the right event space, decorations, menu, and other elements can be easy if you stay organized. Use this party planning checklist to stay on track:

Pick a theme for your event.

• No matter what type of party you are planning, choosing a theme is a great way to stay organized and impress your guests. Themes can be simple and subtle, such as a color scheme incorporated into the décor. You can also choose a more dramatic theme, such as a favorite location or time period. This will help you choose other elements for your event.

Find the perfect venue.

• Setting plays an important role in the overall atmosphere of your event, which is why it is important to choose a spacious yet inviting venue. Consider how many guests you want to invite, what type of meal or refreshments you want to serve, and the type of activities you want to include. Look for a venue that will easily accommodate all of these details. The event space available at The Glasshouses can be dressed up to meet the needs of any type of special event.

Choose a catering company.

• Your guests are sure to be hungry during your party. Whether your event will be held during the morning, afternoon, or night, you will need to provide a delicious selection of foods and drinks for guests to enjoy in between talking, dancing, and picture-taking. Find a catering company that can create a menu that works with your event.

Decide on entertainment.

• DJs, live bands, magicians, dancers, and comedians are all popular choices for parties and special events. Entertainment adds personality to an event and gives guests something to enjoy throughout the celebration.

If you are ready to start planning your event, contact The Glasshouses. Our beautiful NYC event venue makes it easy to plan the perfect party. With adjustable built-in lighting, Terrazzo floors, and more, your attendees will be talking about your party for months! Visit us online or call us at (888) 803-8573 to get started.