As more than 2 million U.S. couples sort out their wedding budgets — which averaged $28,732 in 2007 — they’ll collectively be spending more than $62.8 billion this year to make the experience as memorable and personal as possible.
And sometimes that requires looking for entrepreneurs specializing in something a little more than ordinary.
At Wedding Ring Workshop USA, for instance, couples not only design, but also make their own rings with the guidance of an experienced jeweler.
“We don’t really sell rings, we sell an experience,” says owner Lewis Barnes, 84, who carefully selects jewelers across the country as much for their skills as their personalities. “It’s great fun, and it’s a loving memory for the whole of their lives.”
The daylong process includes lunch, a disposable camera to document the experience and a bottle of champagne at the end — when Barnes says their faces beam at their creations because the jeweler guarantees customers they won’t mess it up.
Nora Donston, 52, also found a unique way to enhance the wedding experience with her business, A Butterfly Affaire in Hemet, Calif. By partnering with a butterfly breeder, Donston farms beautiful monarch butterflies every week and then carefully and safely packages them in individual boxes. When the butterflies arrive, they’re healthy so ceremony guests can take boxes and release the butterflies together.
Since she started in 2000, her client base has consistently increased, not only among Hollywood clients and nearby zoos, but also among young couples who hear about this visually appealing and hassle-free alternative to throwing rice or releasing birds or balloons.
“The popularity of my business is more about the experience — it’s beautiful and spiritual to see all those creatures released into the air,” Donston says.
Photo by pixelfairy.
With Wedding Bells, Novelty Sells
June 10, 2008 by Rich | 4 Comments
In Niche, Weddings, Women
Angela on June 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I think that’s a wonderful service they offer! I could see many couples that are getting ready to be married taking up those services so they could make rings as unique as their marriage.
I am also amazed at the butterfly business. I couldn’t imagine what sparked that idea but it sounds like a very inspirational one. Definitely more fun than bubbles or rice at any wedding.
danakeith on June 10th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
i myself admit that i dreamed of having personalized ring for my wedding.. it’s because it is really such a memorable one, design as how you like it, the way you want it.
cassy on June 10th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
This is the good way of having beutiful wedding..this is the trade mark of the couple when they recieve wedding ring during there marital time.Just never mine the looks as long ask its heartily give.
cassy on June 10th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
First time i heard this kind of business and I love it it’s unique and fun and the experience making your own ring is very memorable also I like the butterfly business idea very colorful and beautiful giveaways also