Event planning support at every level

Wedding, mitzvah, and private party planning across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley, paired with Bartleby & Sage catering.

Why a person is better than AI

Why hire an event planner?

We've been to the venue

Artificial Intelligence has never walked the loading dock at 620 Loft & Garden, learned the venue's rules at Angel Orensanz, or discovered which vendors actually deliver on their promises. We have. Our recommendations come from relationships built over years of real events across New York City and the Hudson Valley, not search results.

On-site, not online

No algorithm can stand at the entrance of The Foundry directing multiple vendors, catch a timeline slipping before it becomes a problem, or move a ceremony indoors at Glynwood Farm when the weather turns. On your event day, we are physically there, solving what a screen never could.

Responsive guidance

Event decisions are personal: family dynamics, a tight budget, a vision that is hard to put into words, or a choice between Hamilton Loft and Greenpoint Loft. We ask the right questions to bring the unique elements of your vision to life.
Wainwright House and an outdoor tent seen from above.

When a planner is especially valuable

You're planning a large event (100+ guests)

Your event is in a different city

You have a busy work schedule

You have a large family/bridal party

Your venue requires coordinating multiple vendors

You want a highly customized event

What makes Bartleby & Sage different

Years of cultivating relationships with vendors across the industry mean Bartleby & Sage can recommend them without hesitation.

Our executive chef and staff work hand in hand with the planning team, so your event and your menu come together at the same time.

Menus, rental selection, run of show, dinner service, signature cocktails, floor plans, and catering equipment selection are all chosen and scheduled seamlessly, without back-and-forth or confusion. The big picture stays in view throughout, and a staff that knows us and enjoys working with us makes that possible. We’re a team.

The details are where Bartleby & Sage spends the most time: the perfect napkin color, a set of vintage candlesticks, a menu designed alongside you rather than handed to you.

Every style is welcome. A simple, pared-back event comes together as easily as one filled with photo booths and gelato carts. When you need a starting point, a brainstorming session with the team can shape the overall design aesthetic from the ground up.

Confetti being thrown over a newlywed couple at the Wainwright House.
The perfect plan for you

Event planning packages

Choose the level that fits your event, your schedule, and your budget, from guidance on the key decisions to full management of every detail.

A U-shaped wedding table as seen from above.

A Helping Hand

We'll build the floor plans, orchestrate your timeline, and be there through the process. We will take the reins on the day so you can enjoy your event.



From $3,500

A wedding planned by Bartleby & Sage set up in a field full of flowers at Glynwood.

Partner in Planning

Have a large wedding party or guest count and need more support? We will have a full team and a designated wedding assistant to work more closely with your vendors to ensure a smooth planning process. 



From $5,500

A wedding couple outside at night while friends surround them with sparklers.

Full Service Planning

Not sure where to start? We'll find the right venue, assemble and manage your vendor team, and shape the design, budget, and timeline with you. On the day, we run every detail so you and your guests can simply enjoy the celebration.

From $10,000

Flawless assistance

Meet your planner

Our highly experienced team, with over 40 years of combined experience planning unique weddings and special events, is ready to help create your most memorable day.

Stacey Cervellino

Email Stacey
Specializes in events in Brooklyn, Westchester, Rockland County, Connecticut, Hudson Valley/Catskills
Stacey Cervellino

Stacey began her event planning career as the Venue Coordinator and in-house planner for Floating Farmhouse, located in the Catskills. She is a preferred planner at many venues in NYC and specializes in events in the Hudson Valley. Stacey joined Sage during the pandemic with one month to plan a wedding in the Catskills, and it went off without a hitch.

With a background as a writer, director, educator, and producer, Stacey has orchestrated weddings, dinners, performances, and parties, bringing people and communities together for as long as she can remember. She loves adding creative touches to your wedding day and her sense of humor, empathy, and calm demeanor will put you at ease, making the planning process fun and worry-free.

Rachael Livingston-Meko

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Specializes in events in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn
Rachael Livingston-Meko

Rachael spent five years in corporate events, planning leadership retreats and providing tech solutions for organizers and Fortune 500 companies. Her non-stop energy and long hospitality background led her to a love of social events and wedding planning for dozens of clients.

Rachael has a knack for organizing and is as passionate about her couples' vision as she is of the guest experience. With Rachael and her team as your guides, you will receive all the advice, support, and friendship you need throughout the wedding planning process.

Leslie Levin Nilsson

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Specializes in custom events of every size throughout New York
Leslie Nilsson

Leslie has been planning weddings and corporate events for over 30 years. As a former Glamour magazine editor and English professor, she brings a sense of style and an experienced eye to every detail. She has led Bartleby & Sage to become one of the premier catering and event planning companies in the NYC area. Whether planning an intimate wedding for 50 or a 1,000-guest corporate bash, you are in expert hands with Leslie and her team.

One of Leslie’s most memorable weddings: planning a 300-person wedding with four weeks’ notice for a former Catholic nun and her Jewish district attorney fiancé. It was a truly joyous occasion.

Private party at 74 Wythe with big dance floor and giant discoball.

Let's create something extraordinary together.

Not every event fits a template and that's exactly where we excel. Book a personal consultation with our Founder and Creative Director, Leslie Nilsson, to discuss a custom experience crafted entirely around your vision.
Book your consultation with Leslie