Wedding ring workshops are one of my absolute FAVOURITE workshops to teach. Spending the day with a couple in my studio at Hotwalls in Old Portsmouth, watching them make the rings they'll exchange on their wedding day, is really special. It's an absolute privilege to be part of the journey!
This has been my first year offering wedding ring workshops and I've had so many wonderful couples at the bench, so I thought I'd share a few of their stories, along with what to expect if you're thinking about making your own wedding rings.
What is a wedding ring workshop?
It's a private workshop for just the two of you. You'll spend the day at my bench learning how wedding rings are made, and make the rings you'll wear on your wedding day. You don't need any experience at all. Most couples have never picked up a jeweller's saw before, and I'm right there to guide you through the whole process, with plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits along the way.
I'm a third generation jeweller as well as a third generation jewellery teacher, so making and teaching really does run in the family. It's such a wonderful thing to pass on these skills and help people make something so special, personal and unique.
Why every wedding ring workshop starts in copper
The first hour of the private view was for a select few people, including the judges for the awards. I was extremely nervous, there is nothing that makes you go more blank than someone saying "so tell me about your work". I definitely didn't get it right every time, there were lots of ums, ahhs and stumblings. But that's what Shine has been all about, practicing talking about our work.
As you may or may not know, my work has an incredibly personal meaning running through it that I often find difficult to talk about, and that's exactly why I use my art to express these feelings in the first place. But now it was the time to actually talk about them, and yes, it was really, really hard. But each time I talk about it, it gets a little easier. Anyway, that's a story for another journal, back to the show.
Sinéad and Matt: 9ct white gold wedding rings
Sinéad and Matt came to the studio back in April. We started with their copper practice rings, and by lunchtime they were sawing, filing and soldering like they'd been doing it for years.
Then it was onto the 9ct white gold. Sinéad made a beautiful wishbone ring to sit alongside her engagement ring, and Matt made a lovely chunky white gold band. Their rings then went off to be hallmarked, ready to collect in a beautiful black ring box.
What was really special was that they were having two weddings, one in England and one in Ireland. They were able to use the copper wedding bands for the first ceremony, and the white gold for the main celebration.
“We had an amazing day doing a private workshop with Rachael to make our wedding rings. Rachael was so patient with us while we figured out different tools. Her instructions and teachings were so easy to follow and our rings feel extra special knowing that we made them. We have no hesitation to recommend her workshops and I certainly will be looking to do more different ones in the future! Thank you again Rachael!”
Sam and Emily: silver wedding rings, a keeper ring and a little pendant
Sam and Emily came to the studio in August, and it was a day full of laughs (and a lot of puns). We started in copper again, getting a feel for the techniques and making sure the fit was spot on, before moving onto silver.
Sam made a chunky band, filed and polished to perfection, and then used the small offcut from his ring to make a personalised pendant for his daughter.
Emily made a beautiful wishbone ring, and we worked carefully together to create a texture that matched her engagement ring. Her engagement ring was a little loose too, so we made a keeper ring to sit on top. Three rings, one beautiful stack.
Attila and Katalin: matching hammered wedding rings
This was a really special one, as we managed to sneak it in just one week before their wedding, eek! The stars aligned, I had a free day, and they were both looking for a last minute idea for their rings. Katalin is already very into making things, has always had a passion for jewellery and is a bit of a magpie, so it was perfect for them.
They made gorgeous matching hammered rings, one slightly wider than the other, and they honestly looked so, so beautiful. One of my favourite things about these workshops is the pure love in the air, and this was certainly the case on their day.
“We had an absolutely lovely wedding ring workshop with Rachael, we love the rings, thank you again :)”
Congratulations to all the couples who've made their rings with me this year, it's been an absolute pleasure! 🖤💛
Choosing your metal: silver, white gold, rose gold or yellow gold wedding rings
You can choose to make your wedding rings in silver, 9ct or 18ct gold, in white, rose and yellow. Some couples choose matching rings, some go for completely different styles, and some design theirs to sit alongside an engagement ring. Some make their own whilst others make each other's (very trusting!).
We'll talk it all through at your consultation, and I'll help you work out what suits your style and your budget.
Platinum is coming soon too, so if that's what you have in mind, do get in touch and I'll let you know as soon as it's available.
Hand engraved wedding rings
You can also choose to have your wedding rings expertly hand engraved. Most couples choose their wedding date or initials inside the band, but you could also think about a quote, song lyric or other personal detail. Hand engraving is an optional extra at around £45 per ring, and it's done after your rings come back from hallmarking, so for this option you would need to allow a little extra time before the big day.
"I could never do that!"
I often hear "I could never do that", "I'm not creative enough" or "it won't look professional enough". I can absolutely, honestly assure you that no one has ever left with a ring that isn't beautifully made and professionally finished. I'm there to guide and help you as much or as little as you'd like.
Couples often can't quite believe the rings in front of them are the ones they made that day. Metal is much more forgiving than people expect, and with the copper practice ring first and me right there beside you, you really don't need to worry about getting it wrong.
What makes a wedding ring workshop in Portsmouth so special?
Planning a wedding can be busy, hectic and a little bit stressful. This is the PERFECT way to slow down, connect and spend a beautifully meaningful day together before the wedding. Jewellery making is wonderfully therapeutic, and sometimes we need a little bit of that in the wedding planning journey!
It's cosy, memorable and romantic. You're making your forever rings by the sea, and it's just the two of you and me in a small studio, so the whole day is about you. There's tea, coffee and biscuits throughout, plenty of time to stop and take it all in, and no rushing.
You can treat yourselves to lunch at the gorgeous Canteen next door or Baffled round the corner. In the winter you can take a blustery walk along the beach with a coffee, and in the summer you can sit out on your lunch break and dip your toes in the sand.
A day of creativity and memories that's flexible, fun, relaxing and enjoyable.
How the wedding ring workshop works (and what it costs)
Consultation. We'll meet at the studio to talk through what you'd both like, choose your metal, take your ring measurements and find a date. There's no obligation.
Quote. I'll send you a quote so you know exactly where you stand.
Deposit. A deposit covering your metal secures your date, with the balance paid before or on the day.
Your ring making day. Usually 10am to around 3pm.
Hallmarking and collection. Your rings are hallmarked at a UK assay office and are usually ready to collect about two weeks later.
The workshop is £450, which covers the private day for two, hallmarking of both rings and a wedding ring box, plus the cost of your metal. Engraving is an optional extra at around £45 per ring.
Ideally you'll make your rings at least four weeks before the wedding. If you're cutting it closer, there's a faster hallmarking option for an extra £60.
Book your wedding ring workshop in Portsmouth
If you're getting married and you love the idea of making your own wedding rings together, I'd love to hear from you.
Have a look at my wedding ring workshop page for all the details, or [drop me an email hello@rachaelplassard.com to set up a consultation. Just tell me a little bit about what you have in mind and roughly when the big day is.
And if it's really not for you, I can absolutely make the rings for you, just drop me an email and we can have a chat. Also, if you're keen to make jewellery (but not a wedding ring), I offer lots of exciting workshops over on my workshops page. 🖤💛
