Catbird Bride: Emily

He proposed on a houseboat in Amsterdam, and while I was totally overwhelmed in the moment (and getting splotchier and more emotional by the second), I was completely thrilled by the two black diamonds he presented. Ryan has a timeless and simple taste, and the rings perfectly represented both our styles. 

We Have Arrived! (Our Annex, That Is)

It's official, we've landed on Driggs! No no, it's not a move. Our little storefront remains happily ever after at 219 Bedford. But follow the scent of a burning Fig Leaf candle two blocks north, and you'll find yourself at 540 Driggs Avenue, home of Catbird Wedding Annex. It's an intimate place we created especially for seekers of shimmering stones and golden bands. 

We designed the space as a room for three - you, your other half, and an expert Catbirdette. A crystal ship chandelier and a neon sign - Oh My Stars - dances light across worn wood floors. Smokey stones set in rose gold, roughly-hewn bands, and instant heirlooms line dove-grey cabinets with gilded knobs. A black and white of Jane and Serge hangs tacked to a corner wall.

Through the year, we'll also be unveiling exclusive designs from both our favorite jewelers and our own studio. We can't wait to show you new pieces here first. xo. 

Catbird Wedding Annex is open Sat and Sun, 10 to 6 pm and Fridays by appointment.

Book an appointment here or email us with any questions at weddings@catbirdnyc.com.

Beautiful bride.

She's just breathtaking. 

-Rony

From 100 Layer Cake.

Roses on the Beach

Breathtaking photo shoot from The Lane. (Via Honestly WTF.)

Rise and Shine! It's a Tower of Love!

Pictured from top to bottom, left to right:
Yayoi Forest Dawn Ring $390, Lauren Wolf Diamond Pyramid Ring $798, Blanca Monros Gomez Little Pronged Solitaire Ring with Pave Diamonds $725, Yayoi Forest Alcor Ring $690

Ila & I Blair Ring Eternity Band $1840, Blanca Monros Gomez Flat Band - 14 Black Diamonds $710, J. Lingnau Nora Ring $430, Catbird Fairy Light Eternity Band $1300, Satomi Kawakita Diamond Band $750

Dream Date: Two Brides.

The only thing that could perfect this haunting perfection (3 weeks on, and it rattles, daily) might be the presence of some Small Velvet Pumpkins.  Confession: round these parts, I am known to be a bit of a Small Velvet Pumpkin obsessive.

-Leigh

Chanel Spring 2013 Couture, photo from style.com

Love is a Many-Splendored Thing

Hold onto your hats: these photos are from a real life, actual wedding. Holy moly.

-Leigh

photos from June Bug Weddings, via ban.do

Bird Call: LB/P Wedding Playlist Part 1

In addition to our well documented love of sandwiches and stacking rings, lipstick and pastries, we're awfully keen on music. We inaugurate Bird Call (the sounds of Catbird) with Part 1 of Leigh's wedding mix. 

xx coco

LB/P Wedding from catbirdnyc on 8tracks.

1. All I Want - Joni Mitchell

2. By Your Side - Sade

3. Fade Into You - Mazzy Star

4. I'm Hip - Blossom Dearie

5. Master's Hands - Charlotte Gainsbourg

6. Glory Box - Portishead

7. Loving You - Al Green

8. On and Ever Onward - Dirty Projectors + Björk

9. Spirit On Water - Bob Dylan

10. Winterlong - Neil Young& Crazy Horse

11. Barbarella - Loveletter

12. Happiness - Goldgrapp

13. Ram On - Paul McCartney

14. Summertime - Big Brother& The Holding Company

15. Carey - Joni Mitchell

16. Suzanne - Francoise Hardy

17. Heaven Can Wait - Charlotte Gainsbourg

18. I Want You - Bob Dylan

19. Let Me Tell You About My Boat - Mark Mothersbaugh

20. Hallucinex - Sterolab

21. I am a Kitten - Fantastic Everlasting Gobstopper

22. I Loves You, Porgy - Nina Simone

23. Silently - Blonde Redhead

24. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again - Bob Dylan

25. Superstition - Stevie Wonder

26. Traction In The Rain - David Crosby

27. My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone

28. Gnik Nus - The Beatles

29. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

30. Lady Midnight - Leonard Cohen

31. New York USA - Mick Harvey

32.  I Live For You - George Harrison

33. I Will - The Beatles

34. Les Sucettes - Serge Gainsbourg& Jane Birkin

35. To Love Somebody - Nina Simone

36. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me - Billie Holiday

Thanks Refinery29!

Way to go R29. It's true, you really can get a beautiful ring and not break the bank. See all our wedding options here, sorted by price. 

See all of Blanca's beautiful rings here.  

Thanks NY Mag!

Featured men's rings: J. Lingnau's Nick Ring and our own Claire Kinder's Toothed Band. See more men's and unisex bands here.

New designer: Ila & I

We have been eyeing Ila's beautiful wares for years and finally decided it was time to take the plunge. She takes traditional designs and puts enough of a spin on them to make them discreetly luxurious and just a bit more dramatic. So very beautiful.

See here for Ila&I.

Love.

I am wild about this tattoo/ring combo. Wild, I tell you. 

(This happens to be a sneak peek at something we cooked up with someone special last week.)

Bittersweets Thin Line whit gold wedding band & Flotsam & Jetsam Spanish Galleon Ring

A Catbird Bride

Leigh generously shared her heartbreakingly beautiful wedding story with the world on East Side Bride. Go get your coffee, take a few deep breaths, then read it. 

Simple Wedding Rings

Joanna Goddard, at the always delightful Cup of Jo blog has a nice round up of simple wedding bands. She is astute, that one. Many women do indeed go for simple these days. (Not all though!) 

We were happy to be featured alongside our jewelry bestie, Satomi Kawakita.

What We Love Today: Men's Toothed Band

This one's a tough, bright little microcosm of love itself, with the imperfections equaling beauty and the deceptive fragility held together by the strength of the parts interacting. We're mad for this ring, by our very own Claire. Also available in a slimmer lady version.

Claire Kinder Studio 14k men's toothed band, available in store and online, $760

Dear Time Out,

Thanks for the super post. I think we're in love. Let's get Gay Married.

Love,

Rony

Grand Street Suit

My pal, Andrew, has just launched Grand Street Suit, specializing in impeccably cut, impossibly affordable suits. Check out Andrew, in the top photo with his main squeeze, Martha, looking awfully grand in his signature suit - at my wedding. Send your man straight to Andrew, and he'll come back looking just right.

Still in love.

Sigh. We're still starry-eyed over Conroy & Wilcox. In case you were wondering.

Gay Marriage Sale!!!!

We have always offered alternatives to HIS/HERS for this decanter set - by far our #1 wedding gift. In honor of gay marriage being legal in NY, get 20% off when you select HIS/HIS or HERS/HERS.

*Enter YAYGAY as your promo code. Expires July 4th. One per customer.

Men's Wedding Bands

Dudes, we know. We feel ya. It's HARD out there. You want something manly, but maybe not like your dad's ring. Or maybe you do want your dad's ring. You want it to be cool and special, but you don't want to be sick of it in six months. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Carla Caruso Blade of Grass Ring - remember tying a blade of grass around your finger? Ultra romantic, but the wide band says "I'm a man!". Great matching woman's band too. $154
   
2. Yayoi Forest Hard Hammered Band - Texture is a nice way to bust out of tradition. $410
   
3. Catbird Classic Band - The name says it all. You really can't go wrong here. $855
   
4. Digby & Iona Rope Band - Symbolism is always welcome at weddings. $130
   
5. Satomi's Thin Concave Band - For a man who is not afraid to buck tradition. This ring is so beautiful on. $530
   
6. Satomi's Wide Concave Band - One of our favorites. Surprisingly classic looking, and an instant heirloom. $1200

All prices subject to change and typos. Please email if you want a size or a metal not offered on line.