As summer draws to a close, here's a look back at 19 ideas for catering, decor, and more from big benefits held around North America. Several of the season's events nodded to its idyllic, alfresco days with garden-theme decor, plus literal garden settings, while others offered quirky dishes such as edible pianos and mini vodka bottles with straws. Entertainment included the avant garde—think cheetahs serving samosas. Here's a look back at 19 ideas from this summer's most notable fund-raisers.
The New York Botanical Garden Conservatory Ball
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Patrick McMullan Company
Luminato and Royal Ontario Museum's Big Bang Bash
Photo: George Pimentel Photography
Watermill Center Summer Benefit
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Fleurotica
Photo: David Miller
The Chicago Botanic Garden's Summer Dinner Dance
Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden
Scotiabank BuskerBall
Photo: Jona Stuart/staticflux.com
Coach and Friends of the High Line's Summer Party
Photo: Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH
The Historic House Trust of New York City's Founders Award Gala
Photo: Shiran Nicholson
The Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School Gala
Photo: Courtesy of Peggy Young & Associates
Russel Simmons's Art For Life Benefit
Photo: Johnny Nunez
The Lincoln Park Zoo Ball
Photo: AJ Kane
The National Ballet of Canada's Annual Fundraising Gala
Photo: Gary Beechey
Diffa Chicago's Believe 2013
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
The Art Institute of Chicago's Woman's Board Gala
Photo: Courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago
Greater Los Zoo Association's Beastly Ball
Photo: Jamie Pham
The Shedd Aquarium Gala
Photo: Heidi Zeiger
The Ravinia Women's Board Gala
Photo: Patrick Gipson
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Gala Dinner of the Municipal Art Society
Photo: Angela Jimenez Photography
The Gene Siskel Film Center's "A Summer Soiree With Gwyneth Paltrow"
Photo: Bob Carl