Can you tell us about your proposal? How did Josh manage to surprise you?

Oh boy, it was so silly of me not to see it coming! Josh was planning a birthday dinner for me, but I thought it was just a simple celebration with our families. I was busy cleaning the house and he kept telling me to put on something nice, but I was too focused on getting everything ready to realize what was happening. It wasn't until he had me watch a special video he made, filled with illustrations of our love story and a poem he wrote, that I started to suspect something was up. When the video ended with THE question, I turned around and there he was - the man of my dreams holding the ring of my dreams!

Did you and Josh choose the ring design together?

Not officially, but I'm so lucky to have a husband who pays such close attention. Months before, when we were reunited after being separated during the pandemic, I mentioned that my dream ring was from The North Way Studio. I showed him and my sister the incredible designs, never imagining he was taking notes!

How did Josh end up choosing The Belladonna En Trois for you?

Unbeknownst to me, Josh spent hours scrolling through The North Way Studio's Instagram, keeping track of every ring I liked. He worked with Maria to choose a marquise-shaped diamond that was the perfect balance between round and angular, with a setting that wouldn't snag on fabrics since I'm a teacher and designer. He put so much thought into every detail to create a ring that truly represented me and our love.

What was it like when you first saw the ring?

Tears filled my eyes as I read the custom poem Josh wrote for me, and when I turned around to see him holding the Belladonna En Trois, I was absolutely stunned. The ring sparkled so beautifully in the firelight, and as Josh slipped it on my finger, I couldn't believe how perfectly it fit my style. I would have said yes even if he tied a piece of twine around my finger, but instead, I had this incredible work of art that showed how well he knew and loved me. I'm still in awe every time I look at it.

Tell us about the inspiration behind your wedding gown design! 

Old magic, nature, the balance of birth and decay, the unending foreverness of love and life. THAT feeling is what inspired my dress. I wanted a dress that described me, us, and our love for nature regardless of the trends.

The willow tree motif influenced a lot of it. I've always grown up near a willow, she's been watching over me my whole life. When I learned that the willow is my "birth tree," it felt like an affirmation of my connection to this tree. Then, when Josh and I moved to our forever home in the mountains, we found a massive, centuries-old willow tree right outside our door. It was like a sign. I knew I wanted to incorporate willow leaves into my dress as a symbol of our love, our connection to nature, and our future together.

What about the bridesmaids' dresses?

For the bridesmaids, I wanted to represent our values of natural materials in my fabric choices and even use some of my own natural dye processes. I was inspired by my druidic ancestry and wanted to pay homage to that with simple shapes, drapes, and wraps that would be adjustable for each bridesmaid.

Ultimately, I wanted my best friends to feel beautiful, magical, and like they'd stepped out of reality into a dream. Now, what I'd originally designed vs. what actually happened… that's a long and winding story. But I think it all worked out in the end!

How does your ring fit into the bigger picture of your love story and wedding?

The Belladonna En Trois really captures the essence of our relationship and the things that are most important to us, like our shared love of nature, magic, and timeless beauty. We wanted our wedding to feel like a welcoming celebration of our new life together, filled with wildflowers handpicked by my mother (lavenders, sages, hydrangeas, goldenrod, coral bells, astilbe, and gorgeous drippy amaranth), handmade elements by our friends, and natural materials from the B&B that made the day feel like a fairy tale come to life. Saying our vows in the presence of our loved ones made it all the more meaningful. The ring was the perfect symbol of our commitment to each other and the magic we want to create together forever in our marriage.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Bride & Bridesmaid Gowns: Molly Glover

Venue: Battlefield Bed and Breakfast

Wedding Photography: Aaron Lee

Bridal Dress Photography: Monica Vrankin

Engagement Ring: The North Way Studio

Inspired by Molly's story? We are honored to have been part of her magical proposal and ring story that perfectly captures her and Josh's essence. We invite you to embark on your own journey of creating an engagement ring that reflects your unique story.

Whether you envision a nature-inspired design, a modern twist on a classic, or a ring that seems to have leapt straight from the pages of a fairy tale, Maria will work closely with you to bring your dream to life. We believe that an engagement ring should not only be a symbol of your love but also a reflection of your shared values, hopes, and dreams.