Weddingbee Blog

Alternatively titled: Mind the Gap.

Or, Candy Apple Shares a Million Pictures.

That’s right. Are you ready for a post with tons of pictures? Yes? Good, because I am slightly obsessed with my wedding band, and I want to share that obsession with as many people as possible. I’m sorry, but it’s a fact. And a problem.

Way back in the day when Mr. CA and I visited Seattle for our engagement session and epic planning weekend, we had about 10 spare minutes of free time, so we ducked into the Tiffany’s in U. Village to check out some rings, and to try to get an initial idea of what we wanted for our wedding bands. Going into the store, all I knew was that I wanted something super thin. I’m not a big fan of chunky rings; they make my fingers look even fatter than they are. I also knew that I wanted either platinum, or white gold (to match my e-ring), and I was pretty sure I wanted this ring specifically:

{Tiffany Novo Band Ring}

My engagement ring has channel-set diamonds on the sides of the band (stopping just short in the back of going all the way around), with milgrain edging. It has a bit of an antique, vintage look to it, and I didn’t want anything that would compete with that ring. I didn’t really want anything that was matchy-matchy, anyway, and didn’t like the look of channel-set bands (although I LOVE how it looks on my e-ring. Go figure). I also didn’t think I would want diamonds on the band; I had enough diamonds to satisfy me on the e-ring! So, I thought I would end up going with the Novo, or something similar - I liked the sleek, modern look, the square edges. Plus, the price was fairly reasonable, and we figured we could find something like it for much cheaper elsewhere.

However, once we got into the store, I just wasn’t digging the Novo. It didn’t seem to look right with my ring. And then I tried on this baby:

{Tiffany Metro Ring}

I was in love the minute I put it on my finger. I didn’t think I would want bling on my wedding band, but it just looked perfect with my engagement ring. I loved how the diamonds were set (not channel), and I absolutely adored how thin the band was. So, so thin! Gorgeous.

However, it was out of our price range. As much as I begged, pleaded, and tried to convince Mr. CA that this was the ring, we left the store empty-handed. Of course, he was being perfectly sensible, and didn’t want to make an impulse decision on such a big purchase.

I knew (once I was out of the store and not blinded by the bling) that we could find the exact same ring for less somewhere else. So, in lieu of the other planning I had going on, I sort of forgot about the ring (aside from when BM Fuji came to visit, and I dragged her into the Tiffany store in NYC to show her the band. She approved. I fell back in love with the ring).

Recently, we decided to visit a local jeweler in Princeton (Hamilton Jewelers) on a whim one beautiful Saturday when we were putzing around, eating ice-cream and enjoying the sun, and, lo and behold, they had almost the exact same ring! For quite a bit cheaper, might I add.

Our amazing helper/ sales person/ jewelry expert, Vera, helped us look at different styles, answered our questions, and even cleaned my engagement ring for me! She was not pleased with how ’grungy’ it looked. And here I thought I was taking such good care of it…

We decided that, yep, this was the one. She ordered the ring for us, and presto! All I had to do was wait for the ring to come in. Trust me, that was a long 3.5 weeks. I do not envy you ladies who went and picked out the e-ring together, and then had to wait for the proposal!! That must be killer.

But, the ring is now in, and I could not be more in love! It is so silly, but I love this ring. I love that it symbolizes the unbreakable bond that Mr. CA and I are about to enter into. I cannot wait to have him slip it over my finger on our big day. And, well, it’s just pretty. There’s that too.

Want to see? Okay, okay, if you insist…

Oooh, la la! I think this little ring box is so pretty. I love the green!

Yep. She’s amazing.

I can’t seem to capture the gorgeous, sparkly-ness of the rings on my camera. You will have to just trust me that they are beautiful and sparkly.

Super thin! Woohoo.

One teensy, tiny thing that I semi-dislike about my ring is that it is so thin that they can’t engrave anything on the inside. Honestly, I’m a bit bummed about that, but I really don’t mind too much. The ring is beautiful, and I love it, so it’s not a big deal. Besides, we are going to see if they can engrave something into my engagement ring. So, you know, I don’t forget our anniversary or something.

Also, you may have noticed something about my engagement ring and wedding band together. Something in between them. Like…space. Yep, I’m a gap bride! There is a space between my engagement ring and my wedding band.

This is caused by the prongs that hold up the diamond on my e-ring (or whatever those things are called. I am really not savvy in the world of engagement rings. Oops!!), and the little diamond that sticks out on the side of my e-ring, underneath the prongs (Mr. CA may have gone a bit overboard on this ring. But he was excited.). I call it the little diamond nubbin.

Here’s a view of the diamond nubbin straight-on; there is one on both sides.

I knew there would be a gap, though, as I didn’t want a ring that dips down in that chevron-esque shape which allows for the diamond nubbin protrusion. I wanted to be able to wear my band by itself, and wanted it to be straight.

The gap culprit. Silly diamond nubbin!

Honestly, though? I don’t mind the gap (HA). I think it adds a bit of character, and I am so in love with my rings anyway, I don’t even notice it. I also love the fact that Mr. CA put enough thought and care into designing my ring that he included diamond nubbins on the side. What a sweetheart.

Overall, the whole experience of picking out a wedding band was really fun and exciting! I did not get to go through this process for the engagement ring (since it was a huge surprise and all), so it was fun to be able to go in, look at different styles, see different settings and metals, and try on lots of pretty sparkly things. It definitely appealed to my girly side. And, it was fun going through it with Mr. CA! It really made me pause and think, wow, I will be wearing this thing on my hand every day for the rest of my life. It makes me so happy thinking about how, when I wear this ring, I will be a ’wife.’ Fun stuff.

Was the wedding band your first ring-shopping experience? Did you go into the process with a certain ring style in mind, only to end up with something completely different? Are you as obsessed with your wedding band as I am? (I might be wearing it as I type this. Maybe. Don’t tell Mr. CA). Are you a gap bride too?