Introduction
Welcome to a little inside peak of my make your own wedding ring workshops! I’m Jade, your in-house tea-pourer, torch-weilder, and jewellery enthusiast here in bonnie Scotland.
Each couple who steps into my studio brings their own story, and together we turn that story into something tangible: handmade wedding rings that are as meaningful as they are beautiful (and, I promise, nothing like your average DIY project).
In today’s story, we’re delving into a real couple Lucy & Sam’s journey: from their bespoke engagement ring to their handmade wedding rings, and hearing all about their experience along the way.
Wedding photos included in this blog by Karo at Regenweibchen Photography.
Bespoke Engagement Ring Journey
Before we even got to the wedding rings, I had the absolute pleasure of creating Lucy’s bespoke engagement ring. A one of a kind design she’d dreamed of but couldn’t quite find anywhere on the high street.
We incorporated her grans heirloom diamond into an 18ct white gold band, adding a twisted design for subtle movement and finishing it with two vibrant blue sapphires on either side of the centre stone. The result? a sparkling mix of sentiment, tradition and modern craft.
Q. Can you tell us a bit about your experience having a bespoke engagement ring made?
A: We had really struggled to find a ring that was delicate and in a style that I liked. I also had some jewellery left to me by my late Nanna, and I loved the idea of using one of the diamonds in my engagement ring. Sam had already bought a beautiful necklace from Jade that he had ready for the day he proposed (as he was too nervous about buying an engagement ring that I would like, turns out I am a bit picky!), and we decided we would love to work with Jade to design something that was very me.
Working with Jade was an absolute dream, the visits to the workshop to discuss ideas, look at prototypes and make tweaks became like visiting a friend for a cuppa (which was always involved!).
Jade spent time with me to go over the bits I liked about rings I had seen, what I didn’t like and to assess how Nanna’s diamond could fit into any of those ideas. She created some sketches of designs and we honed them over the time we had together. We had a couple of whatsapp calls when things needed clarifying or other ideas came up. What was really lovely is that Jade was just as excited about it all as we were.
We talked through the options of different metals, the pros and cons, and Jade sent me away with some information to research so I fully understood everything.
Once we had all of that in place, Jade organised for some 3d printed prototypes of the ring so that I could try it on and see how it looked. From this we made some final tweaks, making the twists slightly thinner, whilst retaining the strength, and I came back for another look before we were both happy with the design.
Coming to the workshop to see the finished ring was so exciting and it was great to see Jade so pleased and happy with the ring too. It is absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t be happier with it.
Q: What inspired your engagement ring design?
A: Sam proposed on the banks of the Linn of Dee, we now live on the banks of the river Tummel and I grew up by the sea, so it was important to me to get some movement into the ring to represent water. I have always loved Sapphires and wanted to incorporate some colour into the ring, it also fits nicely with the water element. Having Nanna’s diamond in the ring was also really important to me.
Q: How did it feel seeing your gran's diamond brought back to life in a new ring?
A: Being able to incorporate Nanna’s diamond in the ring is so special; it feels like she is always with me. Seeing it for the first time was quite emotional as she was a really important part of my life. I think she would be thrilled to know that I’ve used one of the diamonds rather than it sitting in a jewellery box somewhere. She also LOVED a good bit of bling!
It’s always such a privilege to help a couple start their story with something so meaningful.
A Bit About the Couple
Lucy & Sam are a kind, down to earth pair who love spending time outdoors exploring Scotland’s beautiful landscape with their spaniel Obi. Their calm, easy-going energy filled the studio. They wanted their rings to represent their life together: simple, natural, and full of love, and honestly that’s exactly what they created.
In the Workshop
When Lucy and Sam arrived for their workshop in Scone, Scotland, it was like catching up with old friends after the engagement ring journey. The room was filled with relaxed energy, laughter and a healthy dose of curiosity.
Sam chose to have a sterling silver wedding ring with a hammered texture, rugged, organic and perfectly suited to his love of the outdoors. Lucy designed an 18ct white gold band to compliment her engagement ring, adding a soft curve and subtle hammered finish.
Q: What made you decide to make your own wedding rings?
A: We absolutely loved working with Jade for Lucy’s engagement ring and had already seen that she ran workshops to make wedding rings. We did a lot of DIY for the wedding itself and it felt right to make our rings too. It also gave us the opportunity to make something that we really loved, that was more us and that was unique. Plus, Lucy will do anything for an afternoon tea!
Q: What was your first impression of the studio?
A: The studio was warm, welcoming and homely. Jade has crafted a beautiful, creative space which is a joy to be in. Sam liked all the fancy bits of equipment and Jade’s great coffee!
Q: How did you find the process of making your own wedding rings?
A: Sam was quite nervous about the process and was worried he would come out with something really ugly. But with Jade’s expert guidance and encouragement, we both found the whole process really enjoyable and by the end were much more confident. Jade offered support when we wanted it, but otherwise let us get on with working on the rings (with some supervision!). We talked through our designs, the limitations based on the metals we had chosen and the methods we might use to create the rings we imagined.
Q: What was your reaction to seeing your finished rings?
A: We absolutely loved seeing our rings for the first time, I think we were both amazed at how well they had turned out and were so grateful for Jade’s guidance.
They were naturals at the bench and were sawing, filing and soldering like pros. By the end of the day, they had crafted not only their very own handmade wedding rings, but also a memory that will last just as long.
The Wedding Day
The big day took place at Dalnacardoch Estate, where both Lucy and Sam work north of Blair Atholl, surrounded by a small group of friends and family.
Q: What made you choose that venue?
A: We got married on the estate where we both work. We moved up to Scotland for work in early 2024, and the place (and people) have become really important to us, so it felt right to get married there. Sam had always wanted to be married in the mountains on a hillside, and the estate gave us the perfect location to do just that. Providing us with the remoteness we love whilst also being in a place where we could get less able family members too easily. There is a beautiful spot next to a cairn and this is where we said our vows.
Q: What was the weather like?
A: The weather was surprisingly settled (we had many backup plans just in case the Scottish weather threw anything at us!) and we were able to have our ceremony out on the hill as planned. It was warm, with slightly stormy skies (which has made for some lovely moody photos) and the heather was all in bloom. We did have a wee bit of a gatecrasher later in the evening though when the wonderful Scottish midge decided to join the party. We had a stunning yurt outside the lodge where we had had toasts and dinner, the band had not long set up when we all started swatting and itching - the midges were coming in through the gaps, the floor, everywhere. We had to make a quick decision to relocate to the main lodge, but it gave us more room for dancing!
Q: Were there any memorable or funny moments during the day?
A: The best man crashed the truck and a peatland digger showed up right before the ceremony!
We had to make multiple trips up the glen to get our small number of guests up to the cairn, ready for the ceremony. Feeling slightly rushed and under pressure (and just Lucy came over the brow of the hill in the landrover), he went to park up on the side of the track and didn’t see a big hole hiding in the heather… leaving the truck with only two tyres on the ground and looking rather precarious. Luckily, Kevin, who has worked on the estate for nearly 40 years, was part of the wedding party and came to the rescue to pull it out - I had to jump between different vehicles to avoid being seen!
Once that was all sorted, over the brow of the other hill came a noisy 14-tonne digger! We are having lots of peatland restoration work happening on the estate and we’d asked the team not to come past for the couple of hours around the ceremony… he had completely forgotten and was a bit embarrassed.
It all made for lots of jokes (and teasing of the best man!) throughout the day, and if anything made it all the more fun and memorable!
Q: How did it feel exchanging rings you made yourself?
A: It meant so much more to be exchanging rings that we had made together in the workshop. Along with other elements we had done ourselves (Sam had made the hand fasting cord and we’d spent months drying a cutting leaves for confetti) it just made everything so special.
Wedding Suppliers
Here are some of the other lovely suppliers that helped make Lucy & Sam’s wedding day come together:
Florist: Carol Dibnah @kilgraston_farm_yurt
Celebrant: Laura Moon @lauramoon6136
Dress: Eva Rose Bridal (sadly now closed)
Seamstress: Angel Bridal (Sussex)
Photographer: Karo at Regenweibchen Photography
Band/DJ: Rohallion Music
Rings: Cairney Jewellery
Lucy: I’d love to include @ Jessie’s cafe for the cakes (although I made the main cake they did lots of little cakes and gorgeous shortbread!) plus @ dragonfly_yurts who put up a stunning yurt which we used for dinner, speeches and a little bit of the dancing - until the midges turned up! Along with Carol who did the flowers, they all are local to us here in Pitlochry and it made it all feel so much more like a family event as they’ve become good friends! Also our celebrant Laura who was wonderful.
Summary
The biggest thank you to Lucy & Sam for choosing me to be part of your story. From designing your engagement ring with you to helping you make your own wedding rings. It’s been such a joy sharing your journey and I have loved writing this blog and hearing all the stories about your big day!
If you’re reading this and fancy making your own wedding rings, I would love to welcome you into the workshop! Whether you are newly engaged, planning a surprise, or simply want to do something creative together, I’ll guide you through every step of the way. This workshop can also be booked as a gift if you are looking for the perfect wedding present idea for your friends and family.
Learn more about my Wedding Ring Workshops or get in touch to book your date.
