Engagement Rings and Wedding Things

From very early into our relationship I was thinking about marriage. My thoughts were always that unless you're thinking of marrying the person you're dating, why date them at all? Austin happened to feel the same. (I mean, I've had my fair share of "fun times" but I never dated any of them. I knew what they were going into it and didn't expect anything else. Plain and simple.)

So not only was I thinking about it but he and I would talk about it. I searched and searched until I found a location that I liked and then found another that I liked just as well (neither of which will likely be the final location but I will put pictures of them on here so that someone else might get to choose one of these beautiful locations for a wedding...They're two completely different types of venues mountain top church and greenhouse garden but they're both GORGEOUS).

The Cliffs at Glassy Chapel in Landrum, SC

Vaughan House in Forest, VA

I've scoured Pinterest in search of a wedding dress but have yet to decide on one (they're all so pretty I don't know how anyone can ever choose, although I do have one in mind…). I've looked up arrangements, colors and themes, decorations and suits. (all of which I have ideas about as well but nothing concrete yet). Our official first date was October 24th and so that’s the day I want us to get married (let’s hope that we’ll be able to make that work; fortunately for me Austin is down for whatever).

**see some pins from my Wedding Pinterest Board below

The first time he ever came over we sat outside looking at the stars, so stars have played an important role in our relationship from the beginning. About a year into our relationship Austin and I were at a local jewelry store. I spotted this ring and I fell in love with it, so naturally he bought it for me. And though I love that ring and considered using it as an engagement ring I wanted something the very similar, but also different. I researched many, many different rings to see what style I would like and although I found some that I liked, I never found one that was perfect for me. So using the style of the ring Austin got me, I decided to design my own. 

The ring Austin bought for me from our local jewelry store.

I sifted through many different sites that offered to bring life to my design until I finally found CustomMade.

Let me tell you, I am one picky bitch…I already knew that, but those who work for CustomMade were about to find that out real quick. I put together a rough sketch (I'm no Picasso so don't judge my sketches) of my design on paper and then again on https://sketch.io/sketchpad/.

multiple variations of my ring design with colorful gemstones these are the ones I put together on https://sketch.io/sketchpad/

Initially, I thought about having colorful gemstones but eventually I decided against it (one reason was the price, because the colorful gemstones I wanted were Montana sapphires and they’re QUITE expensive). I had CustomMade also price mined diamonds, lab created diamonds and lab created Moissanites. Folks, I have a 10.00 x 8.00 mm lab created Moissianite (and my bands are made up of smaller lab created Moissanites); let me tell you if this engagement ring and wedding band set had been lab grown diamonds the price would've been between $12,149 - $14,549 (before taxes) and if it had been mined diamonds the price would've been between $114,097 - $152,597 (before taxes). When the CustomMade team member told me that my stomach about fell outta my ass (mentally I was like HELL NAAHHHH fam, that's half a house or a really expensive car! But I composed myself and told them that I appreciated the quote but that I would go with the lab created Moissanites). To be honest the price for the lab created diamonds was not terrible (at least compared to the mined diamonds) however, I wanted a certain faceting that I'm not sure they were able to give me plus I actually like the look of the Moissanites better. (If remember what I said earlier about how stars played an important role in our relationship, you'll see that I designed the rings with that in mind).

Now, this design and collaboration with CustomMade has been years in the making. I started designing the ring and bands in April 2021. Part of the reason that it took me so long was because I had just started nursing school in January 2021 and really wanted to focus on school, so designing was on the back burner for a while. I would occasionally message my CustomMade team and then go for months without saying anything just because of the overwhelm I was feeling with school and the thought of designing this ring. (There were a few instances where I would clearly state what I wanted or so I thought, I guess, and the team member’s answer would be completely out in left field. But I felt as though that didn’t happen often). I initially wanted a bypass ring but it didn't quite look how I wanted it to and really wasn't an option with the different color metals I wanted.

Bypass style ring

Finally (with Austin’s help in the end), I was able to finalize my design and get the production process rolling (Woohoo, thank GOD...). It was in Austin’s name for the last remaining months of production in an attempt to be a surprise but there were a few questions he and the team had, and the rings were something I had worked so hard to see come to life that he wanted to make sure that the design was exactly what I wanted; and in the end, it was....My overall experience with my CustomMade team was incredible. I cannot sing their praises enough.

The rings (engagement and bands) were completed around July 2024 and since Austin was out of town and there is a 30 day return policy (return to fix and/or adjust) he said that I could try them on. And folks let me tell y’all. This ring is fancy but with the bands…Holy shit, it reminds me of something royalty would wear. I told Austin that I’m going to have to start dressing up to keep up with these rings...I decided (because I’m just that extra) that I wanted two additional wedding bands that were not as extravagant as the originals, in case I wanted to “dress it down” if that’s even possible with this ring. So I designed those as well and had those made. 

Engagement ring only. Y'all will have to wait until we're actually married before I show off the bands.

✧Engagement incoming✧

Fast forward to January 5th, 2025. Austin decided he wanted to take me out to brunch for our 5th anniversary to one of my favorite restaurants. We got there about 30 minutes early for our reservation and he decided he wanted us to walk a little bit before we sat down (not really unusual, I thought nothing of it). So, we’re walking downtown and right before we start to head back he pulls on my hand, stopping me, and tells me, “I’ve been looking for the perfect moment to do this but every moment with you is perfect” he then proceeds to get down on one knee and propose. (AHHHHH!) I was shocked at his timing because I was not expecting it, at all. (I can be difficult to surprise sometimes). I said yes, of course! We then proceeded to have a nice brunch as a newly engaged couple. I know he stressed a lot about proposing but it really was a ❤︎perfect proposal❤︎.

If you look closely in the center of the stone, you can see the star-shaped faceting. Ughhhh, it's so dreamy...

Right after he proposed cutie

Now, to plan the wedding! – We may or may not elope, it's tbd. If not, it will probably be a small wedding. We can always have a big reception-type party at a later date if we decide to. – Stay tuned!

Morals of today’s story: 

• If you can imagine it, you can create it. Don't limit yourself.

• A lot can go into a wedding but all you really need is each other and an officiant, (unless you get married in a state that doesn't require one, in which case all you need is each other.)

• Mined diamonds are UNGODLY expensive and honestly, unnecessary.

• If you get the chance to design your own ring, do it. That way you'll have a one of a kind ring. Just like you.

Thanks for reading. Follow along & grow with me. 

-CJ