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New for the New York Home | Merci Nest

I love spring-to-summer trends and fresh ideas, especially when they can be scooped up in some of the city’s chicest boutiques {or even on some of my favorite online haunts}. Here, a few new decadent home delights for spring – available in New York City and beyond! New for the New York Home | Merci Nest 1. Patch NYC: Though they’re certainly “perfectly rumpled and ready to wear,” as design-duo John Ross and Don Carney attest, I am loving Patch NYC ‘s signature oversize batik-print scarves for tossing and draping over arm chairs and sofas for a decidedly lived-in look. The pre-washed linen designs and wildly colorful, easily interchangeable and easy on the wallet at only $102 a piece. Visit their site for more colors and designs.
2. The domed chair goes mainstream: Often custom-commissioned through venerable high-end designers {think the Tides South Beach, seen on our board here }, the sixties staple has found a home in none other than the generally traditional Restoration Hardware . Hey, I’ll take it. Nothing like great quality, fantastic design and a {ok, not-so reasonable} price tag. But it’s trending in the mass-market. And I like that. New for the New York Home | Merci Nest 3. Glassybaby comes to the West Village: Go pay them a visit! glassybaby founder, Lee Rhodes, was fighting her third battle with cancer and raising three small children when the first glassybaby was created in 1998. She designed these beautiful candle vessels and found hope and healing in their color, light and love. As Lee began giving them to others, glassbaby was born.
Though Lee’s glassybaby shops have graced the West Coast for years, she recently opened her first NYC boutique in the West Village {555 Hudson Street Between W 11th St and Perry St}. There, you can purchase the Martha’s Hope gift set, in the gorgeous spring-to-summer tones shown above. Moreover, 10% {$12.} from the sale of each Marsha’s Hope is donated to the Marsha Rivkan Center for Ovarian Cancer.
To learn more about the glassybaby mission and product, check out this video or visit our friends at Good Life Events , who are currently featuring a great glassybaby giveaway , to boot. New for the New York Home | Merci Nest 4. HUE comes in new, well, hues: As if we needed another reason to love Kelly Wearstler, or her book HUE, the designer has released a second limited-edition collection of the coffee table classic, in fresh, invigorating spring colors. Perfect for spring time giving, or just adding a punch of color to your lackluster living room… Available for a limited time at Amazon .
5. Serena and Lily do the X bench {and better than most}: Nursery-turned-lifestyle designers Serena and Lily have jumped on the X bench bandwagon {along with the somewhat over-exposed renditions by Jonathan Adler and Ballard Designs}… but somehow S&L’s bench seems to do it in a fresh, fun way. The company is offering the custom upholstered Parker bench in 30 designer fabrics that range from demure to bold. The duo find the bench to be “impossibly chic opposite the sofa or at the foot of the bed; or equally sharp at a console, vanity or desk.” Available online from $599. New for the New York Home | Merci Nest 6. Bond No. 9 hits the Highline: Known for perfumes that capture the “notes of New York” {with past fragrances such as Central Park, Brooklyn and Wall Street}, Bond No 9 has designed “Highline,” a springtime fragrance named after the downtown-railroad-turned-city-park. Owner Laurice Rahme claims eighty percent of the notes come from plants and flowers that grow on the High Line… Merci New York’s take on it? Not only is it fresh and fun to wear, but it’s high-stylin’ enough to keep nestled on vanities, dressers… and spritzed whenever the city smog sifts in your windows!
7. Moss hoards the vintage Fornasetti: No more oohing and aah-ing over the “hard to find” Fornasetti plates your friends are cautiously hanging in their foyers. Thanks to the buyers at Soho design-haven Moss , a piece of vintage Fornasetti can be yours too – minus the tall tales and stories of the chase. The assortment is always well varied and accessible, and makes for a much more impressive wedding gift that the blender you picked up at that certain box store across Houston Street. 150 Greene Street, (212) 204-7100 New for the New York Home | Merci Nest

Monograms + Minis Giveaway with Kacey K | Wedding Contests

Monograms + Minis Giveaway with Kacey K | Wedding Contests We are thrilled to introduce our May giveaway with the lovely Kacey K , a chic New York City designer who specializes in custom-designed fine jewelry that makes for perfect bridesmaid gifts!
Kacey K is a celeb favorite and must-have staple for the city girl… {I’m especially in love with her darling little minis, which can be worn layered at different lengths}. Check out our interview with Kacey {below} and learn how you can snag a mini of your own!
Monograms + Minis Giveaway with Kacey K | Wedding Contests Merci: How would you define the style of your collection?
Kacey: Classic chic. The monogram, for instance, is classic, but the look is chic and sophisticated because of the diamonds and the gold colors. Our most popular combination is the green gold shade with white diamonds. There is a great sparkle to it that customers adore.

Merci: How did Kacey K jewelry begin and develop?
Kacey: When my children were very young, I designed and sold high-end pieces to private clients. But as the years went on, I began playing with the idea of designing my own pieces. I did a special piece for a girlfriend and from there on it was like an explosion! I started getting requests for bridal parties as well. Then in 2007, Henri Bendel picked me as their “hot new designer.” It was a like a dream come true!

Monograms + Minis Giveaway with Kacey K | Wedding Contests

Kacey: How do you suggest your jewelry be merchandised? What are your fashion tips for wearing Kacey K?
Kacey: My jewelry is meant to be worn as an extension of the wardrobe. I am a firm believer that jewelry really defines one’s personal style. {For example, I never feel complete without throwing on at least two or three necklaces and a great ring}. All Kacey K pieces are meant to be worn in layers. Every necklace is adjustable and can be ordered in a custom size, so our customers have the opportunity to add to their collection over time.

Merci: Celebrities like Eva Longoria and Heather Locklear are big fans of your collection… How does it feel to have women of such celebrated style loving your designs?
Kacey: Who wouldn’t want a movie star to wear their pieces? It is very important to connect with everybody. Stars can wear anything, so for them to choose Kacey K is great. At Eva Longoria’s wedding, we gave all 12 of her bridesmaids pieces as gifts – they adored them.

Merci: Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?
Kacey: My inspirations are drawn from everyday life. Whether it’s shopping in downtown New York or being with my daughter…. I find inspiration in the simple things in life!

Monograms + Minis Giveaway with Kacey K | Wedding Contests The Monograms & Minis Giveaway Guidelines {win a silver block print monogram mini for you or a bridesmaid!}

Visit the Kacey K website and comment below with your favorite Kacey K piece {it need not be a mini, so have fun perusing her entire line}!

To increase your chances of winning the chic silver mini necklace, there are four additional ways to enter this contest:

  1. Tweet this: I just entered to win the Kacey K #minimonogram giveaway at Merci New York! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/dtx0yP {via @MerciNYC}. Then leave a second comment once you’ve tweeted.
  2. Blog about the Monogram and Minis giveaway {feel free to use our oh-so-pretty giveaway graphic!} and comment with your blog link.
  3. Post about the giveaway on a message board and comment with your link.
  4. Share the Monogram and Minis giveaway on Facebook and let us know via a comment.

The giveaway winner will be chosen at random and announced via the Merci New York blog on Monday, May 17th at 8:00 PM EST. Good luck!

Jewelry photos courtesy Kacey K .

Haute NYC Photographer to Know | Trent Bailey

Haute NYC Photographer to Know | Trent Bailey Good morning lovelies! My incredibly talented friend Trent Bailey is showing some of his amazing, breathtaking, soft, ethereal… {pick any, they all work} photography over on the Wedding Chicks today. If you’re a NYC bride shopping for a photographer, you must check out his work. Trent and I met for coffee at the Ace Hotel on Tuesday morning, and truly, when I saw this shoot I almost spilled Stumptown coffee all over my eyelet dress. Epic fail averted, I was just so excited to see such fresh, beautiful work.
So go get him, ladies! I have a feeling he’ll be the hottest ticket in town tres-soon.

Image courtesy Trent Bailey Photography .

Real NYC Engagement Session | Madeleine + Tora

This New York City engagement session took place on Stone Street in the financial district, a fairly untapped locale for engagement photography. I love the bride’s polished look, her casual chamomile bouquet and the fresh, springtime-in-the-city energy that bursts from the photos.
Real NYC Engagement Session | Madeleine + Tora Real NYC Engagement Session | Madeleine + Tora Real NYC Engagement Session | Madeleine + Tora Real NYC Engagement Session | Madeleine + Tora Styling and Planning: Amanda Diamondstein-Cieplinska from Stellina Events
Photography: Jen Huang Photography
Chamomile Bouquet: Kat Flower
Makeup: Linsey Snyder Wachalter of Facetime Beauty
Hair: Marcos Diaz
Dress: “Riverside” in Aquamarine by 57 Grand

The story of Madeleine and Tora begins halfway around the world in Kobe, Japan. Madeleine was born and raised in Kobe and Tora’s parents also lived there in the same neighborhood at the same time in the early 1980s as members of the same close-knit local expat community. But they never met…
Their paths diverged when Madeleine moved to Kentucky at age eight later living in Brussels, London and finally New York while Tora spent more time in Asia before making his way to the U.S. via Ireland.
Then in 2008, Tora attended the Loving Day Celebration in New York City, which Madeleine had organized. After this serendipitous meeting, their journey together began. It will continue on June 5, 2010 when Madeleine and Tora exchange their vows at Madeleine’s grandfather’s farmhouse in Lexington, Kentucky.

All photos courtesy Jen Huang Photography

Bridal Shower Inspiration with Heather Bullard

Bridal Shower Inspiration with Heather Bullard Bridal Shower Inspiration with Heather Bullard Our lovely blogger friend Heather Bullard recently shared a gorgeous shoot showcasing a few of her outdoor entertaining ideas… The photography is absolutely stunning, the spread marvelous, and the details to die for. I couldn’t help but think that Heather’s ideas would translate beautifully into a summer garden bridal shower {not to mention, I am a bit obsessed by her mix of rustic farmhouse and vintage French elements, paired with just the right touch of mercury glass}…
To learn how Heather’s outdoor entertaining tips may work for your garden bridal shower, be sure to visit today’s post on her blog.

Images courtesy Heather Bullard .

Gifts for Mom {and ‘Maids} from Elva Fields

Gifts for Mom {and ‘Maids} from Elva Fields
I’m not sure what it is about big, chunky brooch-inspired necklaces these days, but I’ve certainly got a thing for them. Just take a look at these beautiful baubles by Elva Fields , a fine handmade jewelry company comprised of one-of-a-kind and limited edition vintage necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
I’m especially in love with the Elva Collection: An exclusive group of one-of-a-kind designs that feature vintage and antique components integrated with precious metals and natural gemstone beads…
But then there’s also the June collection: Earrings, bracelets and necklaces created in limited editions from 1940s glass beads, vintage cameos, charms, buttons and semi-precious stones. I’m equally intrigued…
Though if I’m feeling green, the Deb collection also offers a twist on eco-friendly design by featuring entirely reclaimed and recycled elements – from chain to clasp.
Ah! So much to offer, I might just have to stock up on multiples for Mom {and me}.

Photos courtesy Elva Fields

The Standard | NYC Wedding Accommodations

Continuing with Merci New York’s series of featuring some of the city’s hottest hotels to stay, sleep and play, {and of course, house your out-of-town wedding guests}, it only made sense to showcase one of the newest, hippest and dare we say, sexiest, hotels in Manhattan: the ever-chic Standard Hotel. Take a peek…
The Standard | NYC Wedding Accommodations The Standard | NYC Wedding Accommodations The Standard | NYC Wedding Accommodations The Standard is hotelier Andre Balazs’s latest, and like many of his past ventures, it comes packed with a certain electricity and buzz that oozes downtown cool. Perched twenty stories above the High Line, the city’s newest old park {recreated from the former elevated subway line}, the Standard boasts 337 glass rooms and a certain, well, exhibitionism, that has given it quite a sultry reputation since its Fall 2009 opening.
Those looking for an after-party will certainly find one in the Boom Boom Room, one of Manhattan’s hottest nightclubs located on the hotel’s 18th floor. Be forewarned: having a hotel room key does not guarantee entrance, but those who do meander into the Art Deco lounge will absolutely love it. The sleek dark wood bar and furnishings are only matched by the hot crowd, and the party always lasts into the early AM. {Though worth noting: any particularly inebriated frat brothers denied entrance can still party hearty in the hotel’s lobby, a “living room” where some of this city’s best DJs spin on weekend nights. Definitely not a bad consolation prize}…Of course, the Standard is certainly a scene, but that’s not to say that your great Aunt Gertie should feel shy about booking a room. More conservative out of town guests can find solace in the simple room accommodations, well stocked gym and almost-always open Standard Grill. {Not to mention, the sweeping city and Hudson views from the floor to ceiling windows that seem to have everyone swooning}.
To learn more about the Standard Hotel, or to book a room block, visit their Web site or call 212.645.4646.

All photos courtesy of The Standard Hotel ; 848 Washington Street at West 13th

Merci New York’s Tips for Creating an Inspired Dessert Table

Merci New York’s Tips for Creating an Inspired Dessert Table Merci New York’s Tips for Creating an Inspired Dessert Table Merci New York’s Tips for Creating an Inspired Dessert Table Last month, Merci New York was fortunate to partake in a collaborative shoot with a group of talented NYC-based designers, artists and vendors…. and while we showcased an overview in this post , Merci New York intentionally omitted some of our gift and dessert table details so a few of our blogger friends could share our ideas with their readers too {many, many thanks}!
Anyways, now that the cat is out of the bag, I thought it would be fun to share some tips and tricks for creating a unique DIY gift and dessert table and also let you know about a fun {soon-to-be} related project we are featuring on a great wedding planning resource.
So here are a few tips! Hope you enjoy!

  • Think monochromatic: I love color, but when it comes to a table theme, it’s best to stick with one or two main tones and an accent to make the story “pop”. We chose neutral “woodsy” tones for this table, and threw in a cornflower blue, which was the accent tone on the inspiration board.
  • Use your venue’s backdrop: The backdrop behind this table is actually the loft space’s non-functioning freight elevator. The rustic patina played well with the table design and added to the texture of the final product. Make sure you think about where you are placing your table, and how the backdrop might play a role in its grand reveal.
  • Make flea market finds work for you: I know everyone says this, but it’s true. There’s a great local flea market right across the street from my UWS apartment every Sunday. While everyone tends to flood the outdoor vendors, I grab my Starbucks and head indoors each weekend to one quiet vendor who sells vintage botanical tear sheets. I sift and sift and pull pieces for future projects. the art work on the birdcage, welcome notes, and custom candy bars were born of vintage tear sheets.
  • But don’t ignore your local design stores: Though I love my Sunday at the flea, the hunt is not always worth the time, especially if you are looking for elements that will “transform” or “transition” once you complete your table. For example, I could have scoured the NYC flea markets for hours trying to find a perfect birdcage, but I also knew I was going to snazz it up quite a bit {so the initial birdcage design was not as important as the final product}. So for this project {and coincidentally, also for the chocolate wood trays that house the moss-filled lollipop and popcorn gardens}, I took to my trusty West Elm store. Yes, the birdcage is still available here , and they constantly have a slew of decorative versatile trays on hand – And better yet, they’re cheap!
  • Behold the beauty of Japanese paper: If you’re close to a great stationery store, such as Kate’s Paperie or Paper Source, swing by on a slow day and play with a few sheets {apparently, the staff at Kate’s told me Sunday mornings are best for this sort of work}. While they can get pricey, the texture, print and overall beauty of Japanese papers truly shine through any display. I loved the combination of vert green and cornflower blue papers for our birdcage favor boxes, as well as the faux bois design I used to line the dessert trays and create the popcorn cones. Again, use only a few patterns, and integrate them around the table.
  • Remember, these are edible:Don’t go all “type A” on your table! This is a dessert and gift table first and a design project second! Be sure to remember that the contents are just as important as the design. No one wants to visit a table of color coordinated icky, unpopular treats. Make sure to have a balance of salty, sweet and savory items, include crowd favorites… and think about the combined tastes of what you are presenting!

Merci New York’s Tips for Creating an Inspired Dessert Table Lastly, here’s a little added treat: While we photographed our table sans-macarons elsewhere, we did have two great towers created with the chic treats courtesy of Macaron de Paris . Next week, we’re teaming up with one of our favorite wedding resources to show you how to make these trendy creations yourself {so stay tuned and don’t be intimidated! They’re quite fun and easy}.

All photos courtesy Oh Darling!

Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas

As you’ve probably noticed around the wedding blogging world, we’ve all posted quite a bit about our experiences at the B-List conference in DC. I did mention I would chime in a bit more, so here’s another little sneak peek with a new perspective: Some tips and tricks from the B List party that can easily fold into your wedding day details.
After all, it must be pretty intense to plan a party for wedding vendors and bloggers and still showcase some fresh ideas. Let’s take a look at what the sponsors presented…
Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas Perhaps my favorite detail: A prosecco bar. Each station showcased a different prosecco-based cocktail – this one included a pretty fresh herb display. Guests hand picked the herbs and added them to their bubbly. It was such a fresh presentation and would be a perfect accent to a summer wedding. Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas Small raw bar bites and bud vases of fresh spring blooms strategically placed along the food displays. Simple and sweet, but never under appreciated at any cocktail hour. Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas I loved this place setting, complete with a bowl vase of white and green blooms that matched the dinnerware. It was both elegant and fresh; and would make a perfect placecard for a smaller soiree. Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas More from the prosecco bar: This station lured guests with a new prosecco and a splash of their favorite fresh fruit juices or nectar. So chic and indulgent. {And of course, stacked cake stands always make for a dramatic dessert display, especially when placed atop illuminated glass tables}. Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas Try this: Instead of signature cocktails, name your passed hors d’ oeuvres for special guests, locales or occassions that are important to you. Here, each plate was named after one of the wedding bloggers at the conference. Nole’s tuna tartare was delish! Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas Installation as decoration: The party was held at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria, an art center complete with open studios and galleries. This installation of pretty white dresses was currently on display at the venue, but the white dresses almost appeared to be part of the wedding theme. The tip? Let your venue work for you. Be sure to play up its unique accents and selling points to avoid over-decorating your space.
Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas Photo booths are great fun {but you knew that already}… Here’s a pic of some of your favorite bloggers hamming it up for Smilebooth . I’ll pop back in later to tag everyone, but yes, that’s me cheesing on the lower left. Party Tips from the B-List | Wedding Ideas For more great photos from the B-List, be sure to check out the B-List site and the posts from the other bloggers. A full list of sponsors can be found on our previous post, here .

Photos courtesy of Elan Artists – Shane Carpenter, Jonathan Hanson, Lindsay MacDonald, Carlos Andres Varela

Real NYC Engagement | Patty + Jamie

Real NYC Engagement | Patty + Jamie Real NYC Engagement | Patty + Jamie Real NYC Engagement | Patty + Jamie Real NYC Engagement | Patty + Jamie Real NYC Engagement | Patty + Jamie Well, the clouds have rolled over our sunny Miami vacation, wrapping up a wonderful trip filled with some great R&R {and also some fun “work” meetings for next week’s features}.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to coming back to good old New York, where I’ve heard some springtime showers have graced {or perhaps pounded} the city.
I will admit, I like rain. As Parris Whittingham shows in this great engagement session, a rainy afternoon in Manhattan can be just as romantic as a sunny stroll through Central Park… And while the Metropolitan Museum of Art is possibly one of the chicest city backdrops for such an occassion, I’m kind of in love with the header image… A little rain, a city street, and a warm embrace. How perfect is that?
Want more? Be sure to check out Parris’ journal, From Parris with Love , to learn all about Patty and Jamie’s long distance love story . And for more Met engagement inspiration from Merci New York, click here .

Photos courtesy Parris Whittingham .

What We Love | PD Couture by Prismera

What We Love | PD Couture by Prismera While I’ll certainly always be partial to the steadfast bib necklace trend, I love finding fresh a fun ways to dress up a LBD or really, just a common white tee. So when Prismera Design recently launched their new PD Couture line, I began scrambling through my wardrobe for all my solid staples. There’s something so fun about making old frocks feel new again…
Anyway, I digress.
Although the market seems saturated with tons of fabric necklace designers out there, I think it’s the rare mix of materials that drives me to the PD Couture line. The fabric composition is both eclectic and cohesive, {such as Japanese chiffon stitched to pleated velvet and heavy cotton twill}, and because each of these little beauties fall perfectly flush against the body, it truly feels as though they were custom made for the wearer.
Basically, it’s couture quality and design, without the hefty price tag… Really, how can you not love that?

Prices range from $45 – $330 at Prismera Designs .

Real Engagement | Dana + Yossi

Real Engagement | Dana + Yossi Real Engagement | Dana + Yossi Real Engagement | Dana + Yossi Real Engagement | Dana + Yossi Real Engagement | Dana + Yossi Yes, I know this is not New York.
But this gorgeous shoot from Red Rock Las Vegas comes courtesy of Shira Weinberger , one of my favorite New York City photographers. Shira travels all over the world shooting beautiful weddings, engagement and other events, and I really wanted to share the breadth of her beautiful work. {See that? I found a loophole to my own editorial content!}
Anyway, how truly beautiful is this? Dana and Yossi look absolutely blissful and the desert palette is so soft and pretty… {And can we please discuss the sheer amount of style emanating from Dana’s fab outfit? The boots, the dress… She totally rocks it}.
Many thanks to Shira for sharing more of her gorgeous work with Merci New York readers. For the full shoot, click here . And for more of Shira’s published work on the Merci New York blog, you must check out this two-part series . It’s amazing.

Photos courtesy Shira Weinberger

New York Tabletop Show | Martha Stewart’s Tables for All Occasions

The New York Tabletop Show wrapped up last week, with gorgeous displays from the very best in luxury gifts and tableware. If you’ve worked on tabletop market {as I actually did as a bright eyed and bushy tailed college grad}, it’s quite a production: the extensive sample coordination, party planning and eventually, the grand reward: the mise-en-scène of a perfectly poised table…
Of course, I no longer work in tabletop, but I do work with brides. And from a registry perspective, following the Tabletop Show is a wise way to keep your eyes on what’s in store from your favorite designers.
So if we’re talking table, we have to talk Martha. I had the pleasure of viewing her varied vignettes at the New York Merchandise Mart last Friday. Each of Martha Stewart’s tablescapes were tailored toward a certain special occasion: A wedding, casual Friday night dinner, Mother’s Day brunch, and of course, a bridal shower… New York Tabletop Show | Martha Stewart’s Tables for All Occasions New York Tabletop Show | Martha Stewart’s Tables for All Occasions The color palettes were soft and suitable from springtime occasions. I adored the pink and gold tones for her wedding table {a nod to all the pink that graced the most recent issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine}. Here, the team graciously paired Martha Stewart’s Gold Aves China with Wedgewood’s French Knot China in gold – showing that a well-designed table need not stick to one china pattern.
The second table, staged for a simple Friday night dinner, was equally beautiful. The relaxed and fun design was reliant on simple white china and clean, refreshing lines… in fact, while I was admiring the table, I overheard Martha commenting on the fresh simplicity of the bright blooms housed in the Kate Spade for Lenox Camelia Avenue Posy Vases , once again showing that you can make a big impact with few flowers.
The third tablescape, styled for a whimsical Mother’s Day brunch, focused on sweet details: I adored the darling honey favors and truffles placed on towering Martha Stewart Collection Whiteware cakestands . The use of Royal Copenhagen’s Elements pattern for the cup and saucers, dessert plates and bowl also seemed fitting and fun…
Whatever your personal style or preferences, the Martha Stewart market tablescapes showcased something for everyone. {If you’ve fallen for any of the details in these vignettes, please comment or email me for an expansive product list}. Happy registering!

Photos courtesy Emily Roemer for Martha Stewart

Back from the B-List | Out-of-Town Guest Gift Idea

Hi everyone! Just wanted to drop a quick post to chat about this weekend’s fabulous experience at the B-List wedding blogger conference in Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria. I’m sure you’ve already seen a few bloggers wax poetic about the great time we had, courtesy of Anne and Vane , as well as our local hosts Maria and Kelly of Ritzy Bee . Of course, I will be sharing more details {very} soon, but I wanted to take a moment to share a cute idea, courtesy of our wonderfully generous and fabulously creative sponsors…
Back from the B-List | Out-of-Town Guest Gift Idea Here’s a detail that translates wonderfully into out-of-town guest gift and welcome basket design… Our {too-cute} lunch on Saturday was provided by Design Cuisine . The picnic style theme included sandwiches wrapped up in wax paper, B-shaped sugar cookies, old fashioned root beer local to Old Town Alexandria and {wait for it}… darling cloth napkins with the phrase “love at first bite” embroidered in blue. Really, it oozed cuteness. The soft geo-print boxes were courtesy of Smock . The concept is so simple, yet so thoughtful, and the photo box size guarantees reuse!
Back from the B-List | Out-of-Town Guest Gift Idea There are still many generous gifts and products I’ve yet to sift through, but as I do, you know I will be sharing! Here’s a shot of our all-too-generous gift bag with wonderful goodies from great companies! Many, many thanks to Chronicle Books , Smock , David Tutera , Paloma’s Nest , Rust Designs , Emersonmade , Wedgwood , Santa Barbara Preserves , Whisker Works , Footpetals , iomoi , Viv & Ingrid , Williams Sonoma , 9Spot Monk , Martha Stewart for Crane & Co ., Delphine , Bridal Reflections , Sycamore Street Press , Flory Photo , Chewing the Cud , Envelopments , Scout Books , Pottery Barn , The Pink Initiative , Lo Boheme , Rembrandt , Simple Song Design and Thoughtful Day for all of our amazing treats! Back from the B-List | Out-of-Town Guest Gift Idea So that’s just a sneak peek… be sure to check back on Thursday with more inspiring details from this weekend’s festivities and events!

Photos courtesy Kate Headley

The Luxe Lingerie Contest Winners | Wedding Contests

The Luxe Lingerie Contest Winners | Wedding Contests Merci New York’s Luxe Lingerie Contest has come to a close, and we have two very lucky ladies that will be receiving chic Silk Kimono Rompers courtesy of La Fee Verte lingerie…
Shannon of C’est La Vie and bride-to-be AZ in August , you are our winners. Congrats, ladies! We will be contacting you and sending your gorgeous boudoir goodies.
Everyone else, sit tight. We have another giveaway to announce next week… and as always, it’s fabulous.

Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange

With Bridal and Tabletop Market last week, as well as a fab jaunt to DC for the B-List this past weekend {more on that later!}, Merci New York was thrilled to cover many wedding industry happenings and events over the past few days. However, in the thick of it all, we didn’t get to share some of our own work; including a tres-fun collaborative photoshoot with many of NYC’s most talented designers. Though many of you might have seen the great recap on Design*Sponge and Brides.com last week, I thought we’d publish a few new pics of the chic shoot that was…
Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange Gorgeously ethereal hair accessories from the lovely Amanda at Untamed Petals ; all makeup by the talented Lauren Napier . Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange Bespoke invitations and small paper goods by Lela New York ; wonderfully delish catering by Stuart & Welch Florals and terrarium-inspired tablescape by Poppies & Posies . Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange Absolutely gorgeous custom hand-painted clutch and chic calligraphy by Janelle Sing Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange Boutonniere by poppies & posies ; styling by Merci New York and poppies & posies . Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange Scrumptious, {and not to mention, gluten free}, cupcakes by Tully’s Bakery Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange Merci New York ‘s custom gift and dessert table, including a birdcage enclosed favors and couture welcome baskets Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange Beautiful eco-friendly wedding dresses by Adele Wechsler and bridesmaid dresses from 57 Grand . Wedding Inspiration | Manhattan Loft Style at the Xchange And of course, perfect photography at our venue, the Xchange , by husband and wife team, Oh Darling! Photography

Aside from how fun and fabulous this shoot was, the most rewarding part was seeing how everything came to life. Of course, our end-goal was to inspire brides looking to design their Manhattan wedding, but when shoot wrapped up, we all left with a sense of camaraderie and picture-perfect proof that a cohesive design aesthetic is truly the work of several talented artists.

All photos courtesy Oh Darling! Photography

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