Trish and I decided to get married about a month ago. We first met 30 years ago so we actually know each other quite well. Our lives had taken us in different paths until we reconnected in July.
Went shopping for wedding rings yesterday. We both want to avoid the "wedding industry" - small service or even eloping and a party a few months later. Definitely not buying rings from Zales, The Galleria, Jared, Kay (a lot of these businesses are all owned by the same corporate identity). Wanted to find a local jeweler who made the rings in-house and who didn't have them shipped in in bulk from China or Pakistan.
Found a place that looked interesting but when we walked in the door, we were greeted by someone who exclaimed that they were a locally owned business and that they wanted to develop a relationship with us and how well they would treat us. Excuse me - this marriage will last so we will only need their services once. I do not need to build a relationship with them. All through walking around the store, we were mobbed by one person after another extolling the virtues of their store. We left - never even tried anything.
We are seriously thinking of visiting Costco to see what they have... Amazon? Arrrgggghhhhh...
How about Originals by Chad in Lynden?
Best wishes to you and Trish! Dick and Lois (35 and counting)