NYC is famous for incredible skyline views and my personal choices are: for glamour, Lotte New York and the St Regis Hotel; for modern, Tribeca Rooftop + 360, 620 Loft + Garden, and Glasshouse; and for the wow-factor rooftops, The Press Lounge and Somewhere Nowhere…”
Brett Galley, Brett Galley Events & Destinations
Brett Galley is founder of Brett Galley Events & Destinations, a New York-based luxury event planning and design company with offices in New York City and Greenwich, CT. She held a role as Entertainment Director at Tavern on the Green before transitioning into the family business, Hollywood POP Gallery, which she expanded into a venue for high-profile events before founding Brett Galley Events & Destinations. The company has worked with clients including Robert De Niro, Whoopi Goldberg, Diana Ross, Bette Midler, Tony Bennett, and Katy Perry, alongside organisations such as American Express, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Robin Hood Foundation, and has produced destination events in locations including Mexico, St Barths, London, and Los Angeles. Here we discuss Brett’s favourite wedding and event venues in and around her home city…
C&B: “Brett, you know New York like the back of your hand and are known world-wide for creating incredible events in the city. Which are your favourite places to stage a special occasion, and why?”
BG: “My favourite wedding and event venues around the city are these, each for a different reason: GlassHouses for couples who want a distinctly modern New York experience with cinematic skyline views and elevated architecture; the Waldorf Astoria for guests who want to step into a piece of New York history while still experiencing contemporary luxury; the Rainbow Room, one of New York’s most iconic event venues, combining history, skyline drama, and old-school glamour in a way that feels uniquely Manhattan; and the Capitol Theatre, which offers authentic rock-and-roll history combined with dramatic theatrical architecture that few luxury or entertainment-focused spaces can match. Central Park doesn’t just influence venue choice, it sets the design philosophy: elevated, restrained, and deeply responsive to its contrast between nature and city…”
When planning a special occasion, I never start with the venue—I start with the experience we want guests to have. I choose the borough the same way I choose anything in luxury: by asking who the clients are, where the guests are coming from, and how much drama everyone can realistically handle. Manhattan says prestige. Brooklyn says taste. The Bronx says scenic and industrial. Queens says space and common sense. The right venue isn’t about geography—it’s about whether guests leave saying, “That was incredible,” instead of “Why did it take us 90 minutes to get here?”
Brett Galley, Brett Galley Events & Destinations
C&B: “Which scenic outdoor locations do you like to use during the summer months when you can stage an event without having to worry about the weather too much?”
BG: “Anywhere guests can say “Wow!” before they even say “Where’s the bar?” Central Park Gardens, Hudson rooftops (above), Brooklyn waterfronts, Hamptons beaches, and Hudson Valley estates always understand the assignment…”
C&B: “Are there any hidden gems in Brooklyn that you would suggest for a unique event?”
BG: “Absolutely! Brooklyn is basically hidden gems with better lighting. A waterfront warehouse, a secret garden in Williamsburg, or a rooftop in Dumbo where the skyline does half the decorating. Weylin situated in the heart of Williamsburg, this historic event space is located at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge, making it a central spot in Brooklyn for weddings, galas, and corporate events is a favourite. Also, The Foundry, which is not a traditional waterfront venue, but Long Island City’s proximity to the East River and skyline gives it a magical urban-industrial atmosphere. Couples and planners love the raw architecture paired with lush greenery and dramatic city views…”
Pier Sixty (above) is one of the most established luxury waterfront venues in NYC; located at Chelsea Piers, it delivers dramatic Hudson River, Statue of Liberty, and downtown skyline views with massive flexibility for large-scale events…”
Brett Galley, Brett Galley Events & Destinations
C&B: “The grand hotels of NYC are renowned world-wide for their grandeur, which would you say are at the top of your list for a special occasion?”
BG: “The Waldorf for Art Deco elegance, The Carlyle for old-money elegance, The Plaza for dramatic elegance and entrances, Aman for whisper-level opulence, and The Baccarat when you’d like your martini served with sparkle…”
C&B: “Then there are the incredible museums! Are there any you particular recommend for a highly refined ambience?”
BG: “Yes! We regularly work with The Museum of Modern Art, LightBox, American Museum of Natural History, The National Arts Club, Halles De Lumiere – nothing says chic quite like cocktails next to priceless art and guests pretending they totally understand the exhibit…”
Fifty Four NYC (above, left) is excellent for upscale milestone events, cocktail receptions, and luxury private parties where customisation and lighting design matter, with a scale that feels intimate without sacrificing sophistication. Midtown Loft & Terrace is one of the best examples of a venue that feels both elegant and personal, especially for rooftop ceremonies and seated dinners with a curated guest list. The Glasshouse Chelsea (above, right), a design-forward space inside Chelsea Arts Tower, typically hosts luxury events in the 100-200 guest range with penthouse-style skyline energy. And Lavan Chelsea is one of Chelsea’s most production-ready luxury event spaces – less traditional ballroom, more high-end blank canvas built for immersive design…”
Brett Galley, Brett Galley Events & Destinations
C&B: “Waterfront venues are also incredibly popular – which are the best, would you say?”
BG: “The Lighthouse, which is the more design-forward sibling of Pier Sixty. It has a cleaner, more modern aesthetic with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson. Sunset Terrace at Chelsea Piers is perfect for clients who want a true open-air waterfront experience; terrace setting feels relaxed but elevated, with sweeping river views and incredible sunsets. The Glasshouse – ultra modern; while technically it’s more skyline-focused than directly waterfront, its Hudson River positioning and massive glass walls create one of the most visually striking luxury event experiences in Manhattan. Then there is Tribeca Rooftop + 360°; while it’s not directly on the water, it captures downtown Manhattan’s waterfront energy beautifully with expansive skyline perspectives and industrial-chic luxury styling…”
Cedar Lakes Estate (above) is one of the most talked-about ultra-luxury event venues in the region right now. It has been transformed into a beautifully designed private estate experience with lakes, cabins, curated activities, and full wedding weekend buyouts…”
Brett Galley, Brett Galley Events & Destinations
C&B: “We hear a lot about the Hudson Valley being an incredible destination for weddings; would you say that’s true?”
BG: “Definitely! Our favourites are Glenmere Mansion – think formal gardens, European-style architecture, Michelin-level dining energy, and intimate ultra-luxury hospitality. Blue Hill at Stone Barns- this is the culinary crown jewel of Hudson Valley events. The appeal isn’t just the architecture or pastoral scenery — it’s the world-famous farm-to-table experience and the sense that every dinner is highly curated and deeply seasonal. Clients are drawn to Sagaponack Farm Distillery and The Historic Foster Farm for rustic style events. And lastly, Wildflower Farms (below,left), an Auberge Resorts property that feels incredibly current in the luxury market; it combines refined rustic design, wellness programming, spa culture, elevated cabins, and sweeping mountain views…”
C&B: “All these sound unmissable when visiting the area! Now summer is fully here and it’s finally time for an escape to The Hamptons, which are your favourite venue options by the ocean, and what makes them special?”
BG: “Gurney’s Inn (their beach club, below right) is for oceanfront glamour, Topping Rose for ‘quiet luxury with excellent taste’, or perhaps a private estate in East Hampton because nothing says romance like pretending you own 400 acres for the weekend….”
CONTACT: http://www.brettgalleyevents.com
