When Jason Daniel Mercado and Kristen Virginia Bateman first crossed paths in August 2013 at the HôM Store, a unique brunch spot in Brooklyn, their connection was undeniable. Mr. Mercado was drawn to Ms. Bateman’s vibrant purple hair and struck up a conversation, leading him to ask for her phone number. However, Ms. Bateman suggested exchanging emails instead, citing her introverted nature despite her role as a frequent communicator in her work.
True to their agreement, Mr. Mercado emailed Ms. Bateman the next day, sparking a lengthy and meaningful conversation that allowed them to delve into deep questions and truly get to know each other. For three months, their relationship thrived through digital communication until they finally decided to meet in person. They both valued friendship as a foundation and wanted to cultivate that before progressing further.
Their first official date took place in mid-November 2013, returning to the very place where their paths initially crossed. They enjoyed pumpkin pancakes and found comfort in the familiar surroundings.
Even after officially dating, they continued to rely on email as a means of open and honest communication, particularly when discussing topics that Ms. Bateman felt more comfortable addressing in writing. It was through email that she questioned Mr. Mercado’s lack of hand-holding during their second date at MoMA.
Despite this momentary uncertainty, their relationship quickly solidified. On New Year’s Eve 2013, Mr. Mercado expressed his love for Ms. Bateman for the first time, marking a significant milestone in their journey together.
In the following year, they embarked on numerous adventures, traveling to destinations such as Montreal, London, Stockholm, and Paris. Their shared love for exploration and new experiences brought them even closer as they discovered the world together.
Ms. Bateman, a 30-year-old fashion writer and author, immersed herself in various creative endeavors. Alongside her fashion and beauty consulting work, she designed and sold jewelry through her brand Dollchunk. Her educational background includes dual bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts and design from the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts and the Parsons School of Design.
Mr. Mercado, aged 39, worked as a director at Citigroup with a specialization in funding and liquidity management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Baruch College.
Inspired by their shared passion for travel and the anniversary of their official commitment, Mr. Mercado proposed to Ms. Bateman during their New Year’s Eve trip to Niagara Falls in 2020. Despite the limitations posed by the pandemic, he found a beautiful location to surprise her, getting down on one knee in the icy surroundings as the clock struck midnight.
Their engagement journey encountered a slight obstacle when, a year later, Ms. Bateman temporarily misplaced her engagement ring in the snowy landscape of Storm King Art Center. Exhaustive efforts and the help of dedicated staff ultimately led to its recovery.
They exchanged vows on August 12, with only their mothers and Mr. Mercado’s sister present. The intimate ceremony took place at the Ladies Pavilion in Central Park, officiated by Annie Lawrence, an interfaith minister ordained by the New Seminary. The blissful moment was well-received by passersby, resulting in unexpected congratulations from strangers, encapsulating the essence of a quintessential New York City experience.
Considered an elopement of sorts, the couple later embarked on a symbolic ceremony in the Brittany region of France. Ms. Bateman donned extravagant dresses from designer Noir Kei Ninomiya’s runway collections, accentuated by a stunning Simone Rocha veil.
For their New York ceremony, Ms. Bateman opted for a unique Noir Kei Ninomiya dress adorned with 3-D pink roses. Beneath this, she layered a silver Simone Rocha mini dress with puff sleeves and carried a Gucci anatomical heart bag embellished with rose-colored crystals, containing her vows. Symbolically, she handed the heart-shaped bag to Mr. Mercado, signifying the giving of her heart.
During the ceremony, the officiant quoted Dr. Seuss, acknowledging that we are all a little peculiar and that finding someone whose quirks align with our own creates a profound and extraordinary love.
Afterward, the couple, along with their small group of loved ones, journeyed to the Empire Hotel on the Upper West Side for a cake created by Yip.Studio, custom-designed to match Ms. Bateman’s ceremony dress. They then proceeded downtown for a lunch at Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya, with Ms. Bateman proudly donning a red Comme des Garçons dress and a Miu Miu tiara.
Ms. Bateman regarded their elopement-style union as an opportunity to challenge and break traditional conventions, embracing a celebration that fully embodied their unique love story.
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