Fall2013

Life in Bloom is a new Chicago floral company that provides arrangements for meetings, corporate events, dinner parties, and weddings. "I love to incorporate a wide range of textures into what I create," says owner Rachel Wyffels. This fall, Wyffels is working with deep and bold color palettes and favoring Cafe au Lait dahlias, chocolate cosmos, clematis vine, grasses, and berries. Although she can handle events of any size, "the small, intimate parties are oftentimes my favorites to do, as we are able to get really creative and run away with a fun theme," Wyffels says.

The latest dessert to get the gourmet treatment: Rice Krispie treats. Treat House offers as many as 26 different offbeat flavors of crisped rice treats such as dark chocolate chili, yuzu lemon, and bubble gum (the latter is topped with a wrapped piece of Bazooka). The kosher, gluten-free, and dairy-free treats start from $2.25 each; also available for catered events are custom crisped rice treat flavors, as well as TreatPops, ice cream bars, breakfast bars, and flavored marshmallows.

Caterer Mary Giuliani has partnered with chef Mario Batali to launch MARIO by Mary, a custom catering package featuring Batali-developed dishes executed for private events by Giuliani and her team. The menu of seasonal canapés includes more than 40 small-bite versions of Italian dishes popular at Batali's restaurants. Italian Pigs in a Blanket with broccoli rabe sausage wrapped in Parmesan phyllo, mini grilled cheese sandwiches drizzled with artisanal black truffle honey, and Sicilian chickpea fritters topped with Romesco sauce are just a few of the available options.

Recently launched by seasoned event producers Allen Dalton and Marc Berman along with photographer Jamie Watts, Motorbooth is a professional photo studio on wheels. As many as 10 guests at a time can climb into the truck’s cargo bay, press a button, and strike a pose—the Web-connected booth prints 4- by 6-inch photos, which can also be instantly shared via social media and email. Branded prints and custom green-screen backdrops are an option; even the exterior of the all-white truck can be covered in graphics and logos. Rental fees start from $5,000 per day.

Have you ever ran out of wine during an event? Now there’s a quick and easy solution: Booze Carriage can deliver top-shelf liquor, beer, and wine in under 60 minutes anywhere in Manhattan (as well as in some parts of Brooklyn and Queens) for free—the company will even include bags of ice. The minimum order is $20, and there is no limit on the quantity that can be delivered (within reason, of course).

Take advantage of still-warm weather with an outdoor bash catered by Pizza Luca. The mobile pizza company added a second wood-burning-oven-equipped 1952 Chevy flatbed truck to its fleet in July. It features mahogany and marble trim; windows that hinge on hydraulic pistons for the support of canopies; and a full-service kitchen with a refrigerated prep table, freezer, sink, and dough mixer. Available for events in the tristate area, the simple menu of authentic Neapolitan pies is made using all-natural, non-processed ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella di bufala, basil, and Sicilian sea salt. Catering starts from $995 for a two-hour event.

In an effort to cut down on printed event materials, the Eventi Hotel has launched its P.S.A.V. Mobile Meeting Manager, a customizable mobile app that turns any conference guest’s smartphone or tablet into an interactive resource, hosting information such as the agenda, speaker lists, attendee lists, a map of the hotel, amenities, social media platforms, and more.

Now available for events in the tristate area through Classic Party Rentals is Zak Events designer Zak Kunish’s line of tables, bars, and lounge seating. The Zak Collection includes four design suites: Library (traditional oak), Chester (tufted leather), Mirror (beveled mirror panels), and Parsons (sleek dark wood).

Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr continues his New York takeover: His event and catering division is now the in-house food and beverage provider at the New York Botanical Gardens, overseeing events and expanding the number of visitor dining locations to include seasonal carts and kiosks serving items like cider doughnuts and hand-held fruit pies. This fall, Starr’s team will also become the exclusive caterer at Carnegie Hall.