Bride & Blossom Venue Spotlight: Battery Gardens

 

When it comes to choosing where to get married in New York City, each couple is different from the next. Some couples want a venue with a view while others want one that is rich in history and tradition. Access to a picturesque backdrop for taking photos is always a plus. And let’s not forget about cuisine. A guest’s wedding experience is always shaped by the food that is served.

Located at the Southern most corner of Manhattan’s Battery Park, Battery Gardens offers all of these things and more to the couple looking for their perfect wedding venue. New York City’s history began in Battery Park when Dutch Settlers landed there in 1683. Today, it is a 25-acre public park exuding a tranquil beauty that makes visitors completely forget they are actually in bustling metropolis. Nestled within this urban oasis, Battery Gardens has stunning indoor and outdoor spaces that accommodate the wedding from the start of the ceremony to the end of the reception. Esteemed veteran chef Ari Nieminen heads the kitchen, which offers delectable menus designed to meet the highest culinary tastes. And breathtaking vistas of New York Harbor are ever-present through out the wedding festivities.

Above all, a wedding venue should feel comfortable, and suit the style and personality of the couple. It is largely up to the catering team to make sure this happens. Michele Cavellero is Senior Catering Sales Manager at Battery Gardens. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Michele on many weddings together and decided to ask her a few questions as part of our new B&B Venue Spotlight blog series. Here, Michele shares all the must-know details about the Battery Gardens wedding experience.

 

New York City is home to countless wedding venues. What makes Battery Gardens so special and unique?

Battery Gardens is such a special venue. It is nestled inside Battery Park on the water, and has floor to ceiling windows with views of the New York Harbor and Statue of Liberty. It is so signature New York!

 

 

You host both outdoor and indoor weddings. Can you tell us about the spaces available to couples planning to get married at Battery Gardens?

For couples looking to have their ceremony at Battery Gardens, we have great indoor and outdoor options. The outdoor location takes place on the Promenade with the Statue of Liberty right behind you. Our indoor space is beautiful as well.  Indoor ceremonies take place in our Harborview Room, which has floor to ceiling windows with stunning views of the New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty, and Battery Park.  The Harborview Room is on our second level so you are elevated with no obstruction to views. This gives the feel of an outdoor wedding, but in a more controlled environment. The wedding cocktail hour takes place in our fine dining room and attached outdoor patio. The patio has a tree with hanging lanterns, which makes for a really pretty photo backdrop!  It’s wonderful to have the indoor and outdoor space for guests to mingle before the reception.

The reception dinner and post-dinner celebrations take place in our Harborview Room, which also has two attached outdoor terraces. Again, it’s great to have the indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy through out the evening. The Harborview Room also has a wood-burning fireplace, which is perfect for weddings during the colder months. If the weather is warmer, we place candles in the fireplace to illuminate the space.

 

 

 

Can you tell us about the Battery Gardens experience? How does your work ensure that a couple has their dream wedding?

We take great care in making sure the Battery Gardens wedding experience is smooth and accommodating for our clients. Our relationship with the bride and groom starts on the first meeting when they meet with one of our catering managers for their initial site visit. We work with them through out the entire planning process, and on the day of the wedding.  The consistency of having the same catering manager from day one ensures that nothing slips through the cracks. We really are there for them every step of the way. It’s always such an honor to be part of their special day.

 

 

 

Battery Gardens provides a breathtaking backdrop for wedding photos. Are there any spots in particular where couples should go during their photo session?

There are so many beautiful areas around Battery Gardens to take wedding photos. Wedding photographers have many options to get creative. Taking photos by the water and the park seem to be the most popular with couples, especially with the Statue of Liberty behind you! Historic Stone Street is very close to the venue. Made of original cobblestone and surrounded by historic buildings, it evokes an Old New York feel that looks breathtaking in pictures.

 

 

Is there an area available on site where for the bride and her bridal party can get ready?

We do have a bridal suite on site, which has a wall of floor to ceiling mirrors and electrical outlets along the perimeter. It is a great room to get full-on wedding ready, or just use to do touch-ups in between photos.

 

 

How far in advance should a couple that wants to get married at Battery Gardens contact the venue and start planning? Do seasons affect venue availability?

I recommend couples that wish to get married at Battery Gardens contact us as soon as they have made the final decision. Dates do book quickly, so the earlier you contact us means there will be a better chance that your preferred wedding date is going to be available. Seasons tend to affect availability – spring, summer and fall dates tend to book a bit quicker than winter dates.

 

 

Do you offer couples a vendor list to work with? Do couples have the option of bringing in their own vendors if they want?

We do have a preferred professionals list that we provide to clients. All of the vendors on the list are professionals that know our space well and do fantastic work! Clients are welcome to use any vendors of their choice though, and are not required to use any of our recommendations.

Cuisine is a very important component of a wedding and Battery Gardens takes pride in its kitchen headed by Paul Nicaj and and Executive Chef Ari Nieminen. Can you tell us about your food catering options? 

Our menu is a blend between American cuisine and Asian fusion. We can absolutely customize menus though and always let our clients know that if there is a specific type of food that is important to them, we will do our best to incorporate it in the menu. Since each event has different needs, we are absolutely flexible with our menus.

 

 

 

 

You’ve seen many different styles of weddings take place at Battery Gardens. What are your favorite ways to the space decorated?

I have seen the space decorated in so many ways. Since the inside of the venue is very neutral in color, it is rare to see a type of décor that doesn’t work! Looking back, some of my favorite weddings were romantic and simple in style and incorporated dimmed lighting, candles, and soft florals to create a beautiful and intimate atmosphere.

A big thank you to Michele for participating in our B&B Venue Spotlight series!

For more information about Battery Gardens, visit: batterygardens.com

Follow Battery Gardens on Instagram at @batterygardensnyc