"Vermont native Emily Thompson earned an MFA in sculpture from UCLA, a fact that’s evident in all of her floral centerpieces—yes, she uses flowers (which tend to be as wild and fecund as possible), but she builds them into boutiques that look like they might have sprung from a Renaissance painting. There are brambles, and sticks, and over-ripe pieces of fruit, all done up to pretty stunning effect."

"Named after founder Taylor Patterson's childhood farm in Delaware, Fox Fodder is a next-level floral design studio based in Greenpoint. The studio itself is by-appointment-only, but you can order an arrangement online to be delivered anywhere in the city. The seasonal arrangements are anything but ordinary; they feel found rather than fussed over—but they're made all the more special by the custom stoneware, smoked glass, and hand-thrown ceramic vases they arrive in."

"Legendary florist Katsuya Nishimori first made a name for himself as the chief floral designer at the floral shop inside the Japanese department store Takashimaya. When Takashimaya shuttered in 2010, Nishimori and his team opened up their own place in Flatiron. They're known for daring, architectural arrangements with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. Most of the flowers come from their organic farm in upstate New York, about eighty miles north of the city."

"Primarily an event- and editorial-focused stylist, Amy Merrick's arrangements are lush, evocative creations with creative combinations of classic flowers with foliage, branches, and unexpected fruits like blackberries. She teaches floral design classes out of her Brooklyn studio and delivers single arrangements as her schedule allows; it's definitely worth trying her for a special occasion."

"Oliver Cheng Catering and Events mimics the white table-clothed, fine-dining experience in catered form. This boutique company represents the gold standard in catering industry, concepting a totally bespoke New American menu, infused with Asian and European flavors (the level of artistry on each plate is breathtaking) for every job. Conveniently, Oliver Cheng also offers a comprehensive cocktail list with drinks expertly mixed on-site. "

"Liza Lubell has more than a decade's experience working with botanicals–and her experience shows. Every bespoke piece she and her team creates has an ethereal, organic, whimsical quality, reminding us that to stop and literally smell the roses–and revel in their ephemeral beauty. Simply gorgeous arrangements for wedding, parties, or any occasion, for that matter. "

"Chris Hessney founded his eponymous event planning and design company after more than ten years of working in the event management field. He’s earned a reputation for his expertise in brand identity and decision making (and excellent taste, we must add), with a roster of clients that includes Vogue, Andre Balazs, Stuart Weitzman, and many others. He thoroughly considers every detail."

"Offering some of the most superlative catering in New York City since 1985, Peter Callahan is a master at executing the perfect event. With a full team of event producers, artists, and most importantly, chefs, he customizes each menu and drinks offering to the client's specifications irrespective of whether the event is a gala dinner, an intimate baby shower, or rustic wedding (the team are adept at creating kitchens in the field to cater to every type of location)."

"Ellen Weldon has been creating lavish invitations for New York weddings for close to three decades. And does she know what she’s doing? Let’s put it this way: Estée Lauder was her first client. A specialist in the art of calligraphy, Weldon offers different styles, ranging from the more printed-looking type that is straight caps to the dramatic swirling font that is Venetian. Be sure to allow at least three months, especially if your heart is set on one of Weldon’s custom monograms for the invitations. "

"Scrolling through John Dolan’s website is the digital equivalent of flipping through a beautifully curated coffee table book. Dolan does his fair share of editorial and advertising work, and his images have the dramatic, energetic quality of both. When it comes to weddings, he’s a master of discretion. He excels at capturing intimate moments—a quiet conversations in the corner, the setting of a veil, guests’ expressions when they catch their first glimpse of the bride. Dolan prefers film over digital and is based in New York City and the Berkshires. "

"New Yorkers have been bowled-over by the totally random, sumptuously over-the-top flower arrangements that have been sprouting up on street corners, around trash cans, and over city landmarks since 2016. This exercise in random delight is the work of Lewis Miller and his team of florists. Miller grew up a California farmer’s kid. Horticulture school followed a childhood spent in the garden, and now he runs a large studio in New York City. He is a true creative. For an artist like Miller, flowers can elevate a humble city block. Imagine what the man can do with a wedding. To get an idea, flip through his coffee table book (published by Rizzoli) or request a meeting at his studio. "

"Just outside New York City, in the lovely area of Oyster Bay, you’ll find the Printery headquarters. The location is in the town’s charming old clapboard newspaper building. But the setting isn’t for show: All the vintage printing presses are, miraculously, still in use. Invitations, save-the-dates, announcement cards—you name it—are all handmade and engraved on the printing presses using rich stock. The company is available for private consultation appointments in the city on Wednesdays at locations chosen by the client—your home, the office, a local café, it’s up to you. "

"L'Olivier Floral Atelier consistently produces some of the most remarkable floral arrangements in New York: You can find Olivier Giugni's work in monumental arrangements in hotels and restaurants all over the city, but you can also have smaller arrangements tailored to your home. He's a great resource if you’re planning a wedding or a party. "

"Roey Yohai runs his New York studio with his wife, Zoe. The couple met many years ago while Yohai was in Greece on assignment, when he was a photojournalist. The photographer’s experience shooting candid portraits, wanderlust-y travel pictures, and, of course, editorial spreads means Yohai brings a depth and realism to his images. Instead of staged (and, too often, stiff) wedding pictures, he excels at capturing natural, spontaneous moments."

"Let’s start with a caveat: Christian Oth is tough to pin down. To guarantee availability, you’ll want to book a year in advance. Really. This popularity is warranted. Oth and his team are at the top of the wedding photography game. They leave no detail uncaptured, and the finished product is somehow editorial and glamorous. Oth is conscious of just how much effort goes into the small details, whether it’s the flowers or the candles of the hem of a bride’s dress, and he’s a master of capturing it all. "

"For events that require not only meticulous attention to detail when it comes to the décor and organization, but also pitch-perfect food, Mary Giuliani and her team are the go-to. Everything from flowers to mixology to décor (and more) comes as a part of her service. She intertwines the latest in the food and entertaining worlds, exemplified in her recent collaboration with Chef Mario Batali. If you’re looking to bring the flavors of your favorite Batali restaurant to your next party, Mario by Mary catering offers seasonally inspired Italian menus that will surely create a memorable culinary experience. For a quick taste of the collaboration, check out Mario by Mary's new Italian fast casual concept at The Pennsy."

"Operated by husband-and-husband team Michael and Darroch, Putnam & Putnam's gorgeous, otherworldy arrangements grace the tabletops of some of the city's most exquisite events and weddings. (The amazing team supplied the incredible florals for GP's wedding.) They also deliver smaller-scale arrangements and host classes and workshops. Most recently, the duo opened its first retail location in Moxy Chelsea, where they turned the hotel's entrway into a verdant, lush, botanical reprieve from the city."

"Even those who are not big on dessert can appreciate the paper-thin layered crêpe cakes that made Lady M. Confections so famous—not too sweet, and with a delicate consistency that literally melts in your mouth. The interiors of all nine international locations are kept strictly stark-white, with the cakes displayed like precious jewels on tiny podiums: there’s the Checkers cake, a chocolate gâteau, tarts, and so much more. While the original outpost is on the UES, the two Midtown boutiques are a blessing when a 3pm sugar craving kicks in. "

"There are few rooms more soothing than one packed with plants. Abundant greenery is the niftiest tactic to summon nature, induce calm, or warm up a scant tablescape or too-roomy room. But buying enough plants to echo the garden of Eden is costly, never mind the time involved in finding the perfect royal fern or tallest fiddle-leaf fig. Then we discovered the Plant Library. With both an East (NYC) and West (SF) Coast presence, this smart start-up has been a godsend—and best of all, it’s sustainable. The process couldn’t be more straightforward: Pick a bevy of plants or tabletop arrangements—thriving potted cacti, evergreens, or desert greens—to pack a space as big or small as your needs demand. The Plant Library will deliver them for your event, and when you’re done, these short-term party guests are collected and rented again. "

"Cloud Catering's Michelin-trained chefs spend the same amount of time and effort on presentation—the dishes seriously look like edible works of art—as they do on crafting insanely delicious recipes, which is precisely why we love them (and had them do the food for both our Diane von Furstenberg collaboration dinner and our Net-a-Porter celebration)."

"Denise Fasanello is a fine artist by trade, so it makes sense that her arrangements have a museum-worthy quality. She's particularly skilled in trimming arrangements with wildflowers and rustic elements, which creates a texture and volume that's as unexpected as it is beautiful. "

"Fleurs NYC supplied the incredible hydrangea centerpieces for our Net-a-Porter garden party. Their aesthetic is clean and approachable, so nothing feels overdone."

"This is fancy, white-glove catering at its best. Sonnier & Castle is famous for hiring experienced chefs from the finest NYC restaurants, which in turn translates to sophisticated finger foods, plated dinners, and buffets. What's great is that they can take care of all the details—waiter uniforms and wine pairings included."

"With a background in editorial, photojournalism, and fashion photography, Jennifer MacFarlane adds a cool, unrehearsed edge to traditional wedding photography. Based in Bushwick, MacFarlane brings an exuberance that’s all her own to the day. Weddings carry a heavy logistical load from the outset, but MacFarlane is a seasoned pro at planning out the scheduled shots and ensuring that none of the intimate moments are missed. "

"Corrin Arasa's collection of vintage couches, chairs, rugs, and tables is so vast that it lives in a 5,000-square-foot warehouse in Brooklyn (open to visitors by appointment only). And it's not all large-scale furniture either—take a peek at the miles-long roster of smaller rentable props like lamps, baskets, floor pillows, and surfboards."

"With and adorable shop and more than a decade's worth of experience crafting extraordinary, seasonal bouquets, Denise Porcaro kind of spearheaded the boutique floral movement in NYC. She's also responsible for the recent resurgence of flower crowns, which make for sweet bridal shower and birthday party additions."

"Though Mr. Boddigton's one-of-a-kind creations are the stuff of legend, they've put custom services on hold for a while. Luckily, the collection of pre-designed invitations, place cards, thank you notes, and more is plenty to tide you over."

"The reason why Charlotte Neuville is dubbed the Fashion Chef is because she spent close to three decades in the biz (she was pretty high up at Gap Inc.) before leaving it all behind to bake couture cakes full-time. But it seems the industry refuses to let her go; she's been asked to design cakes for everyone from Alber Elbaz to Barneys."

"These guys specialize in the kind of techy stuff (lighting and audio visual design) that would make the average person's head spin. Coincidentally, it's the behind-the-scenes stuff that has the power to make or break a special event, and they nail it every time."

"In addition to being a great fried chicken joint, with easy-going locations in Williamsburg and the Lower East Side, Pies ‘n’ Thighs caters parties and weddings (to every guest’s delight). Their Southern food is supremely authentic, and although the fried chicken is, again, particularly standout, their pies are just as good."

"You've probably seen People's Pops all over the city (they regularly set up shop at the High Line and Brooklyn Flea), and if you haven't tried their real-fruit pops or shave ice, you really should. For special events, they do custom flavors and fancy champagne-popsicle cocktails."

"Seriously not your average catering crew, Pinch brings a playful, almost theatrical vibe to party food presentation. It’s run by chef Bob Spiegel and designer TJ Girard who collaborate in equal parts: With Pinch, it’s as much about the experience as it is the taste. Picture chef’s tables with quick prep demos, food stations that literally move, clever dishes that rest atop wine glasses, custom-designed utensils, floating pizza slices, and so, so much more."

"Brooklyn-based Roberta’s has been warmly flourishing for years. They cater events and weddings throughout the five boroughs (and will travel beyond the city). Their catering menu is fairly similar to their Bushwick restaurant menu: wonderful pizzas, seasonal veggies, meat and cheese plate apps—with raw bar additions. You can also host an event in their attached garden space (holds up to 180 for standing events and 120 for seated weddings)."

"Gabrielle Plucknette started out in the photo departments of The New York Times Magazine and New York Magazine before heading off on her own as a freelance photographer. In addition to weddings, Plucknette also does brilliant lifestyle shots that run the gamut from local parades to food photography and coastal portraits. Plucknette is very good with lighting, for one, which makes her photos really stand out."

"Hill’s sensibility is romantic and classic—she actually prefers traditional film over digital. She earned her photo chops at the Pratt Institute, where she graduated with a BFA, and at the Yale School of Art, where she got her MFA. Her husband—who studied photography at UPenn and who has worked as an editorial, advertising, and fine art photographer—now works alongside Hill in the studio, focused primarily on weddings in the greater NYC area."

"Edward Keating comes from the world of serious photojournalism—he was a staff photographer at the New York Times for more than a decade, has been nominated for the Pulitzer nearly a dozen times, and won for his coverage of 9/11. But he’s also long had a tie to wedding photography: He co-created the NYT column, “Vows,” and his own wedding photos (twice nominated for Pulitzers) are bar none."

"This super-versatile design studio works with a team of skilled calligraphers, offering essentially any and every style of lettering conceivable. Far beyond your standard envelope, Paper Finger makes very cool maps for destination events, as well as sophisticated programs, menus, and table settings for special meals. They also sell non-custom stationery online and host calligraphy workshops."

"This Brooklyn-based suiting shop is the subject of a Lena Dunham-produced HBO documentary coming out this fall (we’re eagerly counting down the days). The concept is to create bespoke suiting for all genders. Not only are their suits tailored with the finest craftsmanship, they’re also filling an enormous gap in the wedding market by creating a bespoke, fitted suiting option for women and non-gender-conforming people, who—for myriad reasons—are not interested in a traditional wedding dress."

"45 Riots is the real deal—members of their band are not only regulars on the New York nightclub circuit, but they've also toured globally, playing in bands for Prince, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys...the list is as impressive as it is long. They're universally considered to be one of the best Motown bands in New York, and their combination of old-school classics and newer songs (their big-band version of "Drunk in Love" is insane) makes them incredibly easy to dance to. Our advice? Wear flats."