This Bespoke Jewelry Brand Helped Me Dream Up My Wedding Band From Home

When I look down at my wedding bands waiting patiently to be worn, I still can't believe they were created especially for me — and all without an in-person consultation. All I can really do (until my upcoming wedding next year) is admire them, try them on, and reminisce about the process of dreaming them up with bespoke jeweler Jillian Sassone of Marrow Fine. Sassone came up with the idea of customization for her clients when she received compliments at the nail salon on her grandmother's opal. She had reworked it with a headdress of black diamonds and a pop of turquoise. Repurposing family heirloom stones is nothing new, but Sassone has a really good eye and incredible imagination for incorporating surprising elements into her pieces to infuse them with personality. Those around her take note. "I left the salon with two customers that day, and the rest is history," she told me of getting her start in the industry.

Personally, I wanted in as soon as I discovered the brand because I was a bride-to-be with a teeny, tiny problem: my engagement ring is silver, and frankly, I love gold. I was hoping to incorporate gold somehow with the addition of a wedding band (because who says you can't mix metals in your ring stack?).

After scoping out Sassone's past creations, I knew I wanted to work with her for a couple reasons. 1) She has options for brides on a budget! "If a giant diamond isn't feasible right now, who cares? There are so many other ways to elevate your bridal stack without breaking the bank. There are a lot of alternative gemstones that are not as expensive as white diamonds," she said, confirming that a simple stone reset starts around $2,500 and goes up from there, depending on the scope of the project. 2) Sassone can work with anyone virtually via video chat and has been for years, for those who aren't close to the shop's Southern California locations or, like me, want to stay mindful of social distancing. Her team is dedicated and thorough about firming up inspiration, design details, timeline, and budget, and there's even a strategic approach to sizing Marrow takes by shipping wax models and the option to get a feel for the rings in person, both of which I've outlined ahead.

Ultimately, I ended up with a bridal stack so meaningful to me because of Sassone's attention to my more eclectic taste. And regardless of your unique style, she can still catch the vibes you're sending out. "The bridal space can feel a bit stuffy at times. I like to think that we bring fresh designs and concepts into the bridal realm, without feeling too exclusive or 'hipster' to the brides out there who love classic and simple looks. We have a little something sparkly for everyone, regardless of what type of bride you are," she said. When it came to helping me fine-tune my own aesthetic, she was spot on. Scroll to learn more about her method, and see if it's right for you.