Please allow 16 weeks for creation.
In Spring's Promise: Jessa’s Unique Engagement Ring
|
|
Time to read 6 min
Spring weddings bring forth that special je ne sais quoi feeling as April's gentle awakening weaves into May's vibrant blooming. Time seems to expand in these precious spring days as couples wrap themselves in promises and silk, as well as finding joy in intimate moments: the tender exchange of vows, the soft rustle of a wedding gown against marble floors, and the quiet certainty of hands joined in commitment.
We are so excited to share Jessa's journey with The North Way Studio. Like spring flowers pushing through winter's last frost, her story speaks of patience, beauty, and lasting promises. Jessa’s and Andrew’s journey, which started in the quiet of the pandemic, led them from intimate design conversations to the majestic halls of San Francisco City Hall.
Jessa's & Andrew's Love Story
How did you first discover The North Way Studio?
Like many modern love stories, I found Maria through Etsy and her Instagram several years ago around 2017. Her work immediately captured my imagination. There was something about the way she combines vintage and ethereal aesthetics with natural elements that felt different.
What drew you and Andrew to your chosen ring design?
My husband and I had decided together on a rose cut salt and pepper geometric/kite shaped diamond before we spoke with Maria about the setting. We were drawn to the way salt and pepper diamonds have these beautiful inclusions that make each stone one-of-a-kind, much like our relationship.
I had fallen in love with the Ley Line ring she had created several years back. The flowing lines and organic elements felt right to me. At the time, Maria was still doing full customs and she was excited to work on a version of it for me. It was amazing seeing our story translated into something we could wear forever.
Your color palette feels like a spring garden with those dreamy purples and soft rose gold. Was there a special memory or feeling you were trying to capture with these colors? How did your Ley Line Ring fit within your vision?
I wanted to have a rich, lush spring vibe throughout the wedding day. Andrew and I both love purple. It's one of our favorite colors and has always felt special to us as a couple. I envisioned a palette with layered purples complemented by velvet textures. We added soft rose tones, mauve accents, and touches of green to create this sense of an abundant spring garden.
My late Mother always wore this particular rose colored nail polish that I remember so vividly from my childhood. Incorporating that shade into our wedding colors felt like having a piece of her with us. She was also born on the Spring Equinox, so celebrating during spring season with these colors was another way to honor her memory on our special day.
The Ley Line's natural leaf motifs and flowing lines complemented the organic quality of our flowers and the lush spring color dresses my friends wore. There was this beautiful harmony between the architecture of City Hall, the soft textures of our attire, and the intricate details of our rings. Everything felt connected in this way that was both intentional and effortless.
Your rings seem to tell a very personal story. What feelings or aesthetics were you hoping to capture?
We wanted both our rings to be a reflection of nature and aspects of us. Andrew's band has part of the mountain range at Eagle Lake which is part of the Sequoia National Forest etched into its surface. For my ring, the geometric kite-shaped diamond felt ethereal but grounded, distinctive but timeless.
Take us back to the moment you first decided to get married at San Francisco City Hall. What made you both know this was your perfect wedding spot?
It was a referral from a past colleague and friend that first put City Hall on our radar. When we visited the venue for the first time, we knew immediately it was the place for us. The architecture and history of the space was so captivating. The natural light flooding through those massive windows was breathtaking, creating this soft, dreamy atmosphere that felt both grand and intimate at the same time.
What really sealed it for us was learning about the diversity of couples who have been married there throughout its history. The fact that so many people from various backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life have chosen this place to begin their marriages made it feel even more special. There's something profoundly moving about beginning your marriage in a place where so many others have done the same.
What was your most unexpected or magical moment from your wedding day?
It was unsurprisingly overcast that day in San Francisco. I had initially hoped for sunshine streaming through those beautiful City Hall windows, but looking back, the overcast sky created this incredibly soft, diffused light that made the photos come out so beautifully. Our photographers told us it was actually perfect lighting conditions, and they were absolutely right.
There was this wonderful moment when I was actually walking across the street to our after-party venue, and part of my dress caught the breeze and flew up dramatically. I just started laughing. There's a picture of that spontaneous moment, and it's one of my favorites because it captures this pure, unscripted joy.
One of those classic wedding day mishaps happened when our friends of honor actually forgot their bouquets at the hotel. There was this moment of slight panic, but then our amazing friends jumped into action, ran back to the hotel, and grabbed the bouquets just in time for the ceremony. I think the magic of friendship and support really carried us through on our day: these little moments where things don't go exactly as planned but somehow become even more special because of the people around you stepping up and making things work. Those authentic moments ended up being the ones we treasure most.
Looking back, what detail or moment from your wedding day makes you both smile?
Harkening back to friendship, we both really couldn't have done it without our incredible circle of friends and family. Our wedding planner Lynette really understood our vision from the very beginning and helped translate our ideas into reality. She had this calm, reassuring presence throughout the entire planning process and especially on the day itself. She knew exactly when to step in and when to let moments unfold naturally.
Our photographers Heidi and Garrett are truly a dream team—we can't emphasize that enough! They have this wonderful way of making you feel completely at ease in front of the camera. We never felt like we were posing or performing; they just encouraged us to be ourselves and captured these beautiful, authentic moments. The candid photos they took allowed us to truly be present celebrating our love for one another, knowing they were documenting everything so thoughtfully.
One of the most touching elements was when our friend Taylor surprised me with a sign honoring my parents who have passed away. She created this beautiful tribute as a symbol that they are with me always, especially on our wedding day. That thoughtful gesture meant the world to me and brought this beautiful sense that my parents were somehow present for this important milestone.
There's also this stunning photo of Andrew and me at Fort Mason where the wind caught part of my dress and wrapped it around me in this dramatic, flowing way. Instead of trying to 'fix' it, we just went with the moment, and it resulted in one of our favorite photos from the entire day. I think that image captures our approach to both our wedding and our marriageembracing the unexpected, finding beauty in imperfection, and going with the flow together.
When you look at your rings now, what feelings and thoughts surface?
Our rings now mean so much more to us than I could have possibly imagined. They've become this tangible symbol of our never-ending promise that we will always be there for each other no matter what. The rings hold particular significance because we started the design process during the pandemic, a time of such uncertainty and isolation for so many people. Now when I look at my ring, it reminds me of the resilience of our relationship, how we navigated those difficult times together and emerged even stronger. Most of all, these rings remind me that we have each other and we aren't alone in this world.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Bridal Gown: a Madi Lane gown from a&bé bridal
Gown Alterations: Carole Kenney
MUA: Sacramento Make Up Artist
Florals: Diosa Blooms
Wedding Photography: Heidi Peinthor
Engagement Ring: The North Way Studio
A Beautiful and Lasting Keepsake Ring
Like the historic grandeur of San Francisco City Hall where Jessa and Andrew exchanged vows, let us translate your sacred love into everlasting metal and stone. Perhaps yours also speaks of mountain ranges etched in gold, or carries the essence of starlit nights in a salt and pepper diamond. Maybe it echoes the moodier realms of spring blossoms or the ethereal quality of light filtered through century-old windows.
As spring continues with its renewal and blossoming, and new beginnings unfold like fresh petals, we invite you to create something timeless. Let's craft a beautiful heirloom ring that will carry your story through all the seasons of your life together.