In this weeks blog we venture across Clifton Village to have a chat with our lovely neighbours at Titcombe Bespoke Jewellery to discuss all things wedding jewellery related and what a treat it was!
With locations in both Bristol and Cirencester, Titcombe’s have been designing and creating beautiful jewellery for over 20 years with skilled craftspeople across the UK. I understood the draw to their shop as soon as I walked in. With a feeling of luxury in their store design and friendly staff, this would be without a doubt, a welcoming, calming retreat for couples away from any hectic wedding planning and preparations.
Over the course of our conversation, the staff shared a wealth of knowledge about the traditions and trends surrounding wedding bands and jewellery, so if you feel a little lost when it comes to deciding on what to choose, I am confident they will be able to guide you towards the best options!
1. When in the planning process should couples start thinking about their wedding bands – is there a standard lead time on rings?
There is a minimum lead time of 8-12 weeks. Pre-pandemic, couples typically made the order for their wedding bands 12-18 months before the wedding date but as there have recently been more last minute re-arranged weddings, orders are increasingly made right up to the 8-12 week time frame for bespoke orders. However we do have many pieces which can be purchased on the day if needed
There are a few different stages in the creation and manufacturing process so it is good to give enough time to avoid any unnecessary pre-wedding stress!
2. Are there any trends with wedding bands?
The most traditional style of wedding band is a simple court shape, however, the most popular choice for a lady now is a diamond set band, similar to an eternity ring. The shape and material of the wedding band is usually narrowed down quickly by the available options that match and sit best with the engagement ring. We even offer a service where the lace pattern on your dress can be matched with an etching on your wedding band!
Typical materials used are platinum, rose gold or yellow gold. Platinum is the most popular and if you were to choose any coated gold ring, this would likely need to be re-plated as time goes on.
Men tend to veer towards more simple styles, similar to but not quite as domed as the traditional court shaped band. In addition to the popular materials, we offer zirconium, carbon fibre and ceramic designs. The ceramic material can be in any chosen colour such as blue or green – a nice touch for someone who prefers more striking designs!
3. Do you have advice for cleaning up and shining an engagement ring before the wedding?
The safest way to clean your engagement ring before the wedding is with the jeweller as you don’t want to risk anything happening to it so close to the big day! Sometimes a build up of hand cream or moisturiser can temporarily support a stone without you knowing and once cleaned away, risks it coming loose.
Day-to-day there is an easy way to brighten up your ring. After a short soak in warm water and dish soap, use a soft toothbrush to gently clean the ring. Always do this over a bowl or cup, you do not want to risk losing it down the plughole.
There are lots of myths such as cleaning engagement rings with gin but simple Fairy liquid will do a sparkling job!
Here at Titcombes we offer a lifetime complimentary clean and polish service for our customers and will also accept rings that have been purchased elsewhere for a fee.
4. Are there any traditions surrounding wedding bands – what happens with the bride’s engagement ring before and during the wedding ceremony?
This depends on the type of ceremony the couple will be having.
If it is a religious one, the engagement ring is given to the Maid Of Honour, Mother Of The Bride, or worn on the brides right hand if it fits. During the ceremony the wedding band is placed on the left hand and blessed. The engagement ring is then returned to the left hand and stacked beside the wedding band, furthest away from the body.
The more modern way of stacking the rings is in the order that you are presented them. Starting from the one closest to your body it would be your engagement ring, the wedding band and then maybe an eternity ring later down the line.
5. What is an Eternity ring?
Traditionally, this is a full band of small diamonds that in the modern day can now be in any stone, half of the band or matched to the wedding ring. An eternity ring signifies a milestone in the couple’s relationship, for example an important anniversary or birth of a child.
6. Aside from wedding rings, do you offer any other jewellery that would be appropriate for the big day?
Certainly, our beautiful jewellery collection includes necklaces, earrings and bracelets that could compliment your wedding outfit.
Also, if you are looking for a gift to give to your husband-to-be, then you can find a truly unique selection of cufflinks.
To find out more about all Titcombe Bespoke Jewellery have to offer, visit their website: