Our guest interviewer today is Deborah Meijer.

Where does the Tri-State bride go when she wants her waterfront wedding venue to have a view of the Statue of Liberty, ease of location, catering from the esteemed Abigail Kirsch, and forty years’ wedding hosting experience? According to Meredith Barsky, Director of Catering, the answer is the Chelsea Pier and The Lighthouse.

Barsky says that the 130 employees who serve area brides at the two venues have a “commitment to excellence” that overshadows even the spectacular event space views. “The Lighthouse and Chelsea Pier locations on the Hudson River have a dedicated event manager to work with each bride or guest to make any occasion a special one,” says Barsky. “And we offer personalized service, with only one event at a time taking place at each venue.” 

Over two hundred events a year are held at both locations, including life experiences such as weddings, Sweet 16 parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Fourth of July celebrations, anniversaries and birthdays. Either location will hold from 100 to 700 guests. Past events have included kosher weddings, an Indian wedding where the groom rode into the parking lot on a white horse, and even one wedding where the bride and groom disembarked from a private yacht.

What is the difference between the Chelsea Pier location and its sister, The Lighthouse, next door?

According to Barsky, The Lighthouse is the more intimate space. “In nice weather, the glass doors open up and it feels like you are on the bow of a ship.” The Lighthouse has a bit more “personality,” and feels more intimate. It has the same terrace as Pier 60, but both spaces share “spectacular sunsets,” says Barsky.

There is no particular time frame for booking a wedding. “The average time to book is probably 8-12 months in advance, but if you book a wedding for eight weeks from now, and the date is open, you’ll get it,” says Barsky.

After booking the date, “our dedicated event manager will meet with the client from six to eight weeks prior to the event to go over details,” she says. Barsky advises brides to let the professionals do their jobs. “It’s better to trust the hired help to make your day special.”

What is the philosophy of business of the two event spaces?  “We have a commitment to excellence,” says Barsky. “We want to help the bride create her dream wedding. You will work with a seasoned team, who can recommend a band or music, florists, designers, entertainment, and photographers. Our catering is second to none. Our caterer, Abigail Hirsch sets the tone to all the hard work that goes into creating the event.”

Summarizing the bridal experience at the Chelsea Pier or Lighthouse wedding location?

“We want our bride to walk away with great memories, having had a great experience,” says Barsky.