But let’s start with the ring that started it all. This picture was taken the day we got engaged, August 28th 2011 on Hornby Island. When I saw the ring on my pillow that morning I was a) thankful it wasn’t a gold band pear shaped diamond ring, much like Carrie Bradshaw’s b) in love. again.
Some girls need that 560 Carat diamond that makes unicorns cry when the light shines upon its perfectly cut angles. Not this girl.Personally I don’t like how standard diamonds symbolize perfection. I’ve always believed nothing is perfect and that’s what makes it so beautiful. So when I found designer Kate Szabone via her Etsy shop with her imperfect, inclusion filled diamond rings, I knew I had to tell Ryan. Thankfully he listened.
FYI girls in hopes of getting married, you’re going to wear this ring forever. Don’t be afraid to tell your fiance-to-be what you like, even if it is the diamond that makes unicorns cry (just be sure he can afford it or give him time to save up).
I loved the simple band but wanted to make it my own. I planned to add 9 tiny diamonds scattered in the orientation of the 9 Acores islands, the middle of the Atlantic where my family is from.
However, due to the thinness of the band no one was willing to do this. NO ONE. I was left feeling hopeless and finally in tears at one jeweller shop. But hurrah! In the end we found a European jeweller who immediately recognized my ring as Portuguese gold and was completely positive he could add the diamonds. It had to be in a straight line rather than scattered but I didn’t care. After all that trouble I could get the ring I wanted.
Just like the engagement ring, you’re going to wear this ring for life. Make sure you love it.Ryan wanted a welsh or Portuguese gold band, but sadly both are extremely rare and expensive here. He also wanted a leaf motif engraved around his wedding band which we found out costs thousands of dollars. Not exactly in our budget. We miraculously found a rose gold band in an antique shop that is almost an identical match to my Portuguese gold band. Even the jeweller and my mom (a Portuguese gold connoisseur) thought it was Portuguese gold. We couldn’t add the leaf engraving at that time but perhaps we will in the future. But each of us did add one bit of engraving on the inside.
Each others’ names and initials along with our wedding date.I just realized today is Ryan’s and my dating anniversary. How appropriate a post is this!
My wedding band is so special to me due to its symbolism in the diamonds and the family whose hands it has passed.
Do you have a wedding ring story?
I’d love to hear what makes your wedding rings so special to you.
Do you have a wedding ring story?
I’d love to hear what makes your wedding rings so special to you.
I love that your rings have a story of their own, it was awesome reading it. I’ve always thought I wanted a ring from Tiffany, but when I looked at their stuff recently, I wasn’t thrilled with what they had… Then I found so many Etsy sellers with beautiful rings that I am now pining over, and all fairly affordable. I’m not a big fan of diamonds either. I’m checking out the seller that did your ring now.
Etsy is amazing for engagement rings. Who would have thought!
I love all the meaning behind your rings! And even though I’m not really a gold kind of person – I’m totally loving that Portuguese gold.
I’m not so into diamonds for a few reasons and luckily, my husband isn’t either. He went all off on his own to design an amazing sapphire engagement ring. After he opened the box to propose on the California coast, one of the first things he said was “it’s a white sapphire, not a diamond” – he knows me well.
@Adina: White sapphire, love it!
@Mindy: Pink sapphires sound incredible! I want pictures. If you do replace your wedding band in the future you could always wear it around your neck on a chain. I wear an old birthstone ring from when I was a kid around my neck sometimes. I did that when I was single though working at an ESL school and a bunch of the Mexican students were so excited that I ‘got engaged’. Oh cultural differences.
@Amy: Awww yes that is so special! I can imagine how nerve wracking it would be for a guy to pick out a ring. Kudos to him!
@Stephanie: Well done hubby! It sounds classic, and that always wins in the end.
What a cute story! I’m happy you got the ring you wanted.
Like Anita, I always knew I wanted a ring from Tiffanys … so I got one. 🙂 It’s a pretty simple ring with pink sapphires. The problem is that I blew the entire ring budget on my engagement ring so I had no band. At the last minute I decided I wanted a band and ordered a cheap one off Amazon. That band that was put on my finger on our wedding day will always be special to me, but we discussed replacing it with something a little more glitzy on an anniversary several years down the line (if we can afford it).
I love the story of your rings! Cool. Our rings have no story. Neither one of us are much into jewelry. However, I love that my husband picked it by himself and worried and fretted over it until he gave it to me. Knowing that the decision was a big one for him made me feel very special. 🙂
Tan, I loved hearing the stories/history behind your rings! My husband and I got engaged straight out of college and he picked out the engagement ring all by himself! He chose a simple round solitaire diamond and 13+ years later I still love it. 🙂 BTW I love your description of making unicorns cry… so funny!
I love everything about this post! The only thing special about my ring was that it was the ring the I dreamed about…but oddly enough, I never told my hubbs about it, and yet, he knew me well enough to pick the perfect one…and lucky for him, it was on SALE! hehe. I love how you see the beauty in the imperfect things lady…and how your heritage plays an important part. xo
This is an awesome story. We haven’t really started looking at bands yet (except on Pinterest), but its such a different search than my engagement ring, I can’t wait to see what our story will be in the end 🙂