Laings Love Stories: A Bespoke Design Journey

We invite you to enjoy the beautiful love story of Mel and Katie. At Laings, our Bespoke Design process transforms your love into a magical engagement ring. Join us as we share the journey behind creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring that symbolises a unique bond, shared with the promise of forever.

MEL:

1. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO CREATE A BESPOKE ENGAGEMENT RING?

M: I knew Katie would want a ring that reflects her personality, so a bespoke ring would be perfect for her. She usually doesn’t wear rings, so I wanted to make something special. 

2. HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE RING? WAS THERE A LOT OF THOUGHT BEHIND THAT DECISION?

M: We asked Sarah Alexander (Laings Bespoke Designer) to work on some initial designs based around the princess inspired rings that Katie liked. We then sat down with Sarah and talked through extra details she could add, like the French scroll details to give it a regal feel and having a gold mount for the stone. 

3.   WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE PREPARING TO PROPOSE?

M: Try to relax as much as you can, or they’ll find out!  It’s a special life event so embrace every moment of the lead up, just be as organised as you can, and it will all fall into place. Even if they do have an inkling (which I think she did just moments before we went), don’t confess anything! 

4. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE THAT THIS WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO PROPOSE?

M: I knew I wanted to find the right moment to do it, and when we decided to go to Disneyland Paris, I knew this was the place where it felt most sentimental for the both of us.  I then decided to work with Laings on having something special prepared on time for our trip. It was also the place we had our very first holiday together back in 2017, so there are so many fond, fun memories associated with Disneyland Paris for us. 

5. HOW DID YOU PLAN THE PROPOSAL? WHAT WAS THE MOST NERVE-WRACKING PART?

M: I was able to coordinate with the Disneyland Paris hotel staff in advance about my plans and timings, as I planned to propose during the firework show in our hotel room which was the Cinderella Signature Suite. We needed to make sure we weren’t in the room during the evening turndown service, so that the staff were able to set up the furniture towards the balcony. This gave us a perfect view of the castle and fireworks. They also planned the champagne service to be brought in before the show started for us. I was able distract her by going into the park during the evening for some shopping and drinks at the Lumiere bar beforehand.  

KATIE:

1. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE MOMENT WHEN THE PROPOSAL HAPPENED?

K: I had an inkling the proposal was about to happen as we were having a late-night stroll around the Disney Park and enjoying the environment.Mel decided to have a mulled wine (which is not her drink of choice) and then another, so I had an idea she was nervous. When we got back to our room the doors were open, the chairs were set ready for the fireworks as we had an amazing view of the park and the castle which was lovely. Just before the show started someone came in with a bucket of champagne and I could tell Mel was getting more nervous because she was struggling to sit still in her seat. As we were watching the fireworks I could see in the door reflection that Mel was moving next to me. When she got down on one knee, she was crying but smiling the whole time as she spoke. She spoke about how our first holiday together was here and how we weren’t together officially as a couple then, but she knew she wanted to kiss me during the fireworks , and now she can ask me to start our happily ever after in the place where happily ever after’s are made. It was a very beautiful moment. 

However, Mel was waiting for a particular song during the firework show and she realised it was the ending finale song, so she knew it needed to happen then. People were starting to leave the park when she got down on one knee, so they could see what was happening when they looked up towards our balcony. We ended up having a few spectators who stopped to look up and cheered, so that was a special and humorous moment. 

2. DID YOU HAVE ANY IDEA THAT THE PROPOSAL WAS COMING, OR WAS IT A SURPRISE?

K: Mel isn’t the best at keeping secrets, she is the worst when it comes to gift giving as she wants to tell you straight away what it is she’s got you! The week before we went to Disney, my friends came up to celebrate my birthday which was lovely. It wasn’t until my friends had said we are going to get our nails done- then I instantly knew! I was sat with my friend at the nail bar and tried to quiz her, and she kept trying to change the subject and distract me. I knew we’d booked to go away to Disney and to spend it in this special room in the Disneyland Paris hotel, I had a feeling it might happen as I know we’ve talked before about a proposal and how we’d like it to happen in a private setting as well, rather than publicly. 

3. WHAT DID YOU APPRECIATE THE MOST ABOUT THE WAY THAT MEL PROPOSED?

K: I really appreciated that it was the firework moment she had chosen for it and the fact it was in a private space, because I have seen proposals in front of the castle and as much as they are beautiful, I wanted it to be more private so we could have our sentimental moment. The build-up music every time we have watched the fireworks at a Disney Park has made us cry just due to the euphoria and happiness it seems to bring us both, so it was just lovely because we both appreciate the music and creativity that the firework show brings. I loved that she brought it altogether for that moment like a big crescendo!

4. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO YOUR BESPOKE RING?

K: I helped with design, but seeing it completed, I was very excited. I was instantly taken by the magical pink hue of the sapphire; it was a lot pinker than I thought it would be! The first person I got to show, was Cinderella the next morning. She was equally as excited about the ring with it being inspired by elements of her carriage in the side details and that we stayed in her themed room. She was delighted by it and wanted to show the other Princesses whilst we went to dine for our meet and greet Princess breakfast that morning – so it was a special moment to remember.  

5. DID YOU ENJOY BEING PART OF THE INITIAL CONSULTATION FOR THE RING?

K: I was very excited about the ring! Mel initially wanted it to be a complete surprise but concluded it would be nice for me to be involved as I had studied art and jewellery making before. Following sketches and seeing the different design elements intrigued me and Mel realised this as she spoke about it to me, so she wanted to involve me in some way so I could add my inspirational flare into the ring. 

MEL & KATIE:

1. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE BESPOKE RING CREATION PROCESS?

M: Watching Katie’s mesmerised reaction to what Sarah had created with the designs, along with Katie contributing her own thoughts, truly felt like a personal collaboration. It was a connection that deepened as Sarah got to know Katie better throughout the consultation process, gaining insight into her personality and understanding who would be wearing the ring. 

K: My favourite moment was picking my stone because I'm very particular with what pinks I like. As much as I have a lot of pinks in my wardrobe and accessories, I’m not a fan of blush pinks or softer tones – I want to be a pink, pink girl! So, getting to pick my stone was the most special because I knew I had a range to choose from and knew I wanted it to suit my colour palette and skin tone.

2. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHICH WEDDING RINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET?

M: I have thought about engraving the inside of my band so that there is something special to it. I think it will be song lyrics from our favourite Disney film Tangled- it brings the whole thing together. 

K: During the consultation, I mentioned my wedding band because I already had a clear vision for my engagement ring style. I knew I would need a custom band made to match perfectly. I also had an idea of the stones I wanted to include, so it was great to hear Sarah’s advice on how we could incorporate them if we moved forward with the engagement ring design. I loved the idea of incorporating amethyst, as it's my grandmother’s birthstone, and from Sarah’s guidance, I understood that it’s a softer stone. I thought a smaller amethyst would be more protected and last longer. I’m drawn to the idea of adding pops of colour, as I’ve always loved the idea of an array of hues. I envisioned a pink stone as the focal point of my engagement ring and wanted to carry that theme into the wedding band with an ethereal vibe, continuing the leaves design and incorporating a variety of stones. 

The journey behind the creation of Katie’s engagement ring is just one of many that reflect the true magic of love.  Laings is here to help bring your love story to life.

Book an appointment with our Bespoke Design team to create your happily ever after.