Over the years, your personal style and tastes have matured. So, when it comes to marrying for the second time around or later in life, you likely have a clearer idea of who you are and what you love.
Many of my customers come to me at this point, whether it's their first marriage, they're remarrying after divorce, or renewing their vows, and I love helping them select precious contemporary jewellery for themselves and their partners to mark this exciting new chapter.
I decided to share an insight into the conversations we have and the jewellery they choose, in the hope it might just inspire you if you're at a similar stage in life.
The modern way to propose - second time around
The first thing to talk about is the proposal.
Quite honestly, a lot of my customers haven't felt the need for that big proposal this time, and they've come to a (very modern and grown-up) mutual decision about their plans to tie the knot.
Of course, that's not everyone. I do love a good proposal story and channelling Colombo to help customers work out ring size and choose a surprise engagement ring for their partner, so we can weigh up budgets and options together.
When couples visit me together to look at rings, we can explore different styles and I'll put together a selection of rings I think you'll love.
Whether you're looking at rings as a pair or shopping for a carefully planned proposal, I'm here to help you on your way.
P.S. I offer a free ring sizer tool so you can measure up accurately and save time and money on adjustments later on - one less thing to worry about!
Getting married your way
For me, as a Gen X-er with older children, one of the best things about getting older is feeling more and more comfortable in my own skin. There's so much pressure around weddings when you're younger and it can feel like a cookie-cutter process of similar venues, colour schemes, budgets, favours, and flowers.
If you're planning a wedding after 40, you probably see things very differently and have a clear sense of your identity and wishes.
So, your second marriage or later-in-life wedding can feel authentic to you, rather than a tick list of traditions.
I love hearing about weird and wonderful venues, handwritten vows, and small gatherings over delicious food without a dry chicken breast in sight - the focus is on you and your commitment to each other.
Second marriage style: contemporary engagement and wedding rings
Now, onto my favourite part: the rings!
I specialise in contemporary, elegant jewellery for people who know their own style.
My collection of engagement rings and wedding bands is inspired by nature and tells a story, evoking the windswept sand dunes I walked through during lockdown, or the spring cherry blossoms I sought comfort from during times of loss.
When you choose one of my rings for your new chapter, it becomes a part of your story too.
All of my jewellery is crafted by hand in my Birmingham Jewellery Quarter studio in the UK, and my customers love the way it aligns perfectly with their personal style.
Renewing your vows
Vow renewal is becoming increasingly popular nowadays, and I often work with couples looking for a special piece of jewellery to honour the longevity of their commitment to each other.
My range of modern eternity rings is ideal for renewing your vows. Did you know the tradition of the eternity ring actually dates back centuries?
It's been a symbol of eternal love since Ancient Egypt, and my modern interpretation of the classic eternity ring style is an elegant way to celebrate your bond in a way that feels very personal to who you both are now.
Explore bespoke jewellery to match your unique story
Your love story is unique to you, and many of the couples I work with prefer to commission bespoke rings for their engagement or marriage.
Custom rings give you a piece to cherish that's a true one-off, which can feel very apt for the uniqueness of your second marriage.
You've lived a lot of life so far, and now you've come together, possibly blending families to create a new unit. What better way to celebrate this than with a 100% custom ring?
You could also choose to turn inherited or unworn rings or other pieces of jewellery into a brand new remodelled ring to represent your new connection. Out with the old and in with the new - quite literally!
Beyond the rings: meaningful jewellery to mark your day
Marking your second or later marriage in jewellery form doesn't need to stop at the rings - many of my modern, mature brides and grooms love to curate an entire aesthetic for their special day, choosing matching earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
These are investment pieces that will effortlessly become part of your personal collection, whether they're an everyday go-to or the thing you turn to to celebrate a special occasion.
A renewed focus on quality and craftsmanship
As we age, quality starts to matter to us so much more, doesn't it?
You've experienced the pitfalls of buying cheap, buying twice. And you've probably also splashed out on ostentatious luxury you later regretted.
For me, true luxury is in the detail of an investment piece. The jewellery is a testament to me and my team's skill and craftsmanship, developed through decades of jewellery design and creation.
Delicate finishes, interesting textures, subtle nods to nature - if you love to wear jewellery that oozes quiet, elegant luxury, we're probably going to get on!
Contemporary alternatives to traditional diamond engagement rings
So, are diamonds still a girl (or boy)'s best friend after 40?
For many, yes! I create countless gorgeous contemporary diamond rings for engaged couples.
I love to bring a modern, subtle twist to the tradition, by offering rings with different textures and more modern designs for my elegant, mature customer.
You might also like to explore different coloured diamonds, like this stunning pink diamond rose gold ring or gold and green diamond engagement ring.
Alternative gemstones to mark a fresh start
On the other hand, who said engagement rings had to contain diamonds?
A fresh start can mean a fresh look at the jewellery you choose to reflect your relationship, and I love working with non-diamond options using alternative gemstones for couples who love the unconventional.
Beautiful choices include sapphire, ruby, and morganite, and there's a multitude of other possibilities out there for you.
Choose by colour or style, or explore birthstone jewellery for an extra special meaning.
In fact, I've even designed custom rings for people featuring a birthstone for each family member - a beautiful way to reflect your newly blended family.
A word of advice - not all gems work for every kind of jewellery - some look different in smaller sizes or are too soft to be sized down very small. I can always offer alternatives to the aesthetic you want if your chosen stone isn't suitable, so let me know your ideas and I’ll provide advice and options.
Start your next chapter your way
I'm Kate, founder of Kate Smith Jewellery, a Birmingham-based contemporary jewellery designer based in the city’s famous Jewellery Quarter since 2001.
I'd love to be the one to guide you through the process of choosing contemporary rings for your second or later-in-life marriage, or a vow renewal to mark a milestone.
Start by browsing my collection of contemporary wedding bands and engagement rings, and please contact me if you have any questions or you’d like to arrange a visit to our studio.
This is such an exciting time and I hope this blog post has inspired you to explore modern rings to match your new chapter.
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