Emily & Alek
What was your ring designing experience like?
E: I've known Chelsea for around five or six years, so I remember when she was really starting to grow Honey Designs. I went with a friend of mine, who was also a friend of Chelsea's, to her office at the time to play around with different designs and determine what look I might like for my future ring. Throughout the process, Chelsea provides her clients an education - the parts of the ring, different diamond shapes, etc. - so that when it comes to picking elements for your ring design, you feel like you really know what you're doing. The entire process from start to finish is unique to each client and so perfectly personalized.
A: The ring design experience was so cool and so easy. Chelsea would text me or email me ideas and designs and she was so easy to work with. It was so personable and I know you wouldn’t get that if you went to a big box store for a diamond. If I went to a store I feel like I would have been so lost and over my head. Chelsea walked me through everything I needed to know and I trusted her 100% with everything.
Why did you choose Honey Designs to design your ring?
E: Like I said, I've known Chelsea for several years now, and I couldn't imagine working with anyone else to determine the ring meant for me (as cheesy as that may sound). Her knowledge of diamonds and the industry is vast. She's incredibly passionate about what she does and she takes the time to get to know her clients on a personal level so that from the first moment you meet her, you feel like you're working with a close friend or family member. Chelsea truly has her clients' best interests at heart.
A: I chose Honey Designs because Emily and Chelsea have known each other for several years and Emily designed some ring styles a few years back. I had always known about that, and the idea of designing a perfect custom ring was very appealing.
What surprised you the most?
E: How much I learned about diamonds and jewelry in general from Chelsea! Before sitting down to design a ring with her, I couldn't have told you anything I wanted aside from an "oval shaped diamond" and a "silver band."
A: What surprised me the most the process of selecting a diamond. I was able to meet with Chelsea to learn and look at diamonds under a microscope. I knew next to nothing about diamonds and didn’t really realize how thorough the process would be. It was a whole separate process from the ring design. It’s not just picking a ring style and slapping a diamond in it.
What do you love most about your ring?
E: When I met with Chelsea a few years back to come up with some ring ideas, I think I left her office with eight different designs in mind! Instead of selecting one of those designs, Chelsea and Alek worked together to design something that was true to what I wanted, but that Alek made his own. Alek also asked both of our moms for input on the designs he and Chelsea came up with and everyone chose the same design. Knowing both of our moms also got to be a part of the process and liked the same ring as Alek makes it even more special!
A: I love how personalized it is. I love that Chelsea was able to show me lots of designs based off of what Emily liked. There were endless possibilities of what we could do with the ring. I feel like you wouldn’t be able to do that hardly anywhere else. I love the fact that it is one of a kind and that I wouldn’t be able to just walk into a store and buy anything like it.
How did you & your significant other meet?
E: Alek and I met on Bumble. Alek grew up in Dayton and had many friends that attended the University of Dayton. I grew up in Cincy, but attended UD. After getting to know one another, we realized that we knew a lot of the same people from UD. It's quite possible we ran into each other at a party and never knew!
A: We met on Bumble about a year after college. She went to UD and I went to Miami, but we both knew a lot of the same people from UD. I think we hit it off right away because of that. I remember thinking very quickly that it felt like I had known her for years.
Where was your first date?
E: Alek had never had pho before so I decided he HAD to come down to Cincy and try it for the first time. We went to Cilantro for dinner (which is now closed - so sad!) and grabbed beers and hung out at my apartment after watching our favorite show, "You're the Worst." Little does Alek know, but after he left that night, I texted one of my girlfriends and said, "I think I might marry this guy!" The rest is history!
A: We went and got Pho at a place called Cilantro near UC. I hadn’t had Pho before and she wanted to show me her favorite place to get it. After that we went back to her apartment and watched one of my favorite shows “You’re The Worst”, which she had never seen before.
Where’s your favorite hidden gem in Cincy/Dayton?
E: This is a tough one! Alek and I run the Flying Pig half marathon together every year, and we always take time to admire the view from Eden Park, so I think that's my favorite hidden gem in Cincy...In Dayton, I'd have to say Old Scratch Pizza. It's definitely one of our favorite places to hang out and enjoy a bite to eat!
A: One of our favorite places to go is Old Scratch Pizza. Their mushroom pizza is what we get every time. They also have a bunch of beer on tap and it has a brewery type feel with the open garage doors and picnic tables.
Favorite Way to Spend a Date Day/Night:
E: We are big foodies and craft beer people, so our date nights usually involve trying out a new restaurant (or eating Old Scratch Pizza for the thousandth time, lol) or checking out a brewery. Most of our date nights end with us catching up on one of our favorite TV shows or finding a movie to watch.
A: Most weekends we will probably go somewhere out to eat. When the weather is nice we like going for long walks with our dog or driving around and getting ice cream. We like to find new things to do, and we have done things such as take cooking classes and iFly indoor skydiving.
Complete with custom "Marry Me" donuts, this intimate proposal was so sweet. And the cutest lil dog girl makes her appearance and shows approval.
Custom floristry by Katie’s Blooms
Custom lettered sign by Honeybee Creative
Custom donuts by Sweet Whit’s Cake House