You had me at meow❤️ The meaning behind the Engagement ring......UPDATE LINDSEY AND NATHAN GOT HITCHED❤️

Nathan selected Lindsey a Sidney Thomas custom designed ring in white gold with a round brilliant center diamond......surrounded by a halo.
photography by Lisa Moy.

So here I am sitting across from a young gentleman Nathan who is asking my advise on the perfect engagement ring. I'm explaining the 5 C's of seclecting the perfect diamond and he asked me a question I have never been asked before....

What is the true meaning of the engagement ring?

I had to stop and think to myself , after 5 years of education and over 20 years in the field, I can tell you lots of technical information about a diamond , but how do I tell Nathan what the meaning is to them.

I tell him the tradition today is to spend 3 months salary on a diamond......that it is rare and so precious......the true meaning is soooo not easy....it is personal and means different things to different people.
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I think the basic meaning of an engagement ring has remained the same over the years. The wearing of one symbolising a promise made between two people of the intention of marriage. The deeper meaning however has changed significantly over time…
Over the centuries, a ring no longer symbolises that the lady has become a possession of their husband and that they are then owned through marriage. It is also no longer seen as a form of dowry or insurance for the bride in case the husband-to-be was to call off the wedding, because as in todays world a woman has just as much right to call off a marriage herself and today there is no problem even if she earns more than her fiancé does.

So ask yourself – what does an engagement ring mean to you? Is it a status or a wealth symbol? A way for your fiancé to show everyone how much he values your ❤️? Or is it a personal reminder symbolising that you have both chosen to commit eternally to one another?

Egyptians used natural substances such as hemp, leather, bone and leather. The husband gave a ring to his wife once married to show their wealth to her family. Thats were wearing rings on the 4th finger on their left hand began because they believed that a vein connected to the heart.

Romans used verbal consent between the husband-to-be and father of the bride to declare an engagement. The woman would receive two rings after marriage , one made of gold to wear out in public and the other made of Iron which she wore at home. These signified that the husband owned her.

In the Middle Ages marriages did not require a cermony , to prevent people from marrying more than one person, or marrying family members, a law was created called ‘Banns of Marriage’ to make sure there was a period after a couple announced they were to be wed for anyone to object to the marriage. This time became the ‘engagement’ and rings indicated the promise of marriage. Rings were a way to show that a woman was off limiits.

A engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477 and that began the diamond tradition known in todays world . The ring he gave her when he proposed featured raw diamonds set in the shape of an "M" on a gold band . It was a hit!

The period known as the romantic era set a trend of giving ornate rings. Personalised with engravings of love poems, and decorated with heart and flower details. The powerful love between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during this period, made it clear that love was now present in many marriages even within the royal family.

After a large discovery of diamonds in the 1800’s they became more accessible to the middle class. De Beers made people believe diamonds were the only way to show your love and encouraged people to buy them as ‘diamonds are forever’. Up until the current day most rings classified as ‘engagement rings’ feature diamonds of some form and there it became a standard that the gentleman should spend 3 months salary on them.

What is clear and easy to answer is that the giving of a ring, is a sign of intention to marry. In all cultures it is a way to tell our partner ...I want to witness your life... Share our lives....and enhance our lives. There is no right or wrong answer to what the ring symbolizes , every individual can decide for that for themselves.

UPDATE!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS to Nathan and Lindsey .... On April 28th , 2017 Nathan and Lindsey were married ! They had a beautiful wedding and reception at the The Farm House in Delaware. It was a lovely setting with lush gardens and grounds , the ceramony was outdoors in a gazebo ......the aisle lined with white rose petals .......the reception was held in the historical Farm House and Lindsey made sure her and Nathens guest were treated to a night of fun , great music and delicious food to celebrate their union to each other. Ben and I were honored that they shared their celebration with us.
* Side note the creative wedding photography was taken by Belles and Beaus photography.