Every ring we make begins with two people and a story. With this new series, we're turning the page on the design process to share what happens next: real Austen & Blake couples, their journey to the aisle, and the rings they chose to mark it. First up, meet Amy and Andrew Hoban.
Meet Amy & Andrew
Where do you live? What do you both do? What's your favourite thing to do as a couple?
We are both born and bred and still living in our favourite city in the world, Liverpool. In a beautiful area filled with listed buildings not too far from the famous Penny Lane! Andrew is a digital systems architect and I work in Partnerships VIP Experience. We work at both of the football clubs in the city – Andrew is at one and I'm at the other. Our favourite thing to do together is walking our Italian Greyhound, Izzy. She’s our pride and joy!
Their story
How did you meet?
We both used to work together back when we both worked for the same football club. We had known each other for almost 10 years before things got romantic!
When did you know they were the one?
I always had a soft spot for him, but I think for me it was after the first evening we were in each other's company. It was really simple: we cooked food, drank wine and listened to some vinyls. That was enough for me to imagine doing that regularly! Andrew agrees.
The proposal
Where were you, and what happened?
I'd booked for us to go to Austria for Andrew's 30th. I wanted to book somewhere neither of us had been so we could experience a new location together for a milestone birthday. I'd found a beautiful glamping spot at a lake, which is what I booked. We arrived around the time the sun was due to be setting, and so Andrew suggested we take a walk around the site before we settled for the night, and when we got to the lake that's when he proposed.
Did they know it was coming, or was it a complete surprise?
It was a complete surprise, because I'd booked the trip; there was nothing out of the ordinary in the build-up that made me think he would be proposing. I did think it would be a beautiful place for a proposal, so I guess he knows my mind better than I thought! But once his hand luggage got checked in, I thought no way would you do that with an engagement ring in... clearly some would.
Rings: Sabrina engagement ring with emerald-cut diamond, Manon baguette diamond ring and Monaco bevelled profile wedding band, all in yellow gold.
Choosing their rings
What drew you to Austen & Blake?
For me, it was important to stick to the same place as my engagement ring as I wanted it to feel like a full circle moment. Andrew was so impressed with the attentiveness of the store and felt the experience was incomparable to other shops he had been in. The other places he felt like they just wanted him to spend his money – and weren't overly helpful when it came to looking at options of products. Austen & Blake did not rush the process, and were happy to listen to what Andrew had in mind for me and build something to spec. And my engagement ring is the most beautiful piece I own.
Walk us through the design process for both rings. How did you land on the final designs?
I have got quite small, delicate hands, so Andrew wanted to make sure the shape of my engagement ring would complement that. My best friend Olivia, who accompanied him to the Liverpool store, told me all about how he was really locked in on this – discussing how certain band widths would be too thick for me, he also wanted a big diamond but not something that would look like it was weighing my hand down and therefore look a bit silly.
For my wedding ring, I had been looking on Pinterest for inspiration and found a photo which featured an engagement ring identical to mine, paired with a wedding band built up of multiple baguette diamonds – and that made my mind up. I was so pleased that Austen & Blake had similar products because I did have my heart set on this.
Andrew was a bit easier than me in the sense that he knew he wanted a gold men's wedding ring, but what we didn't realise was the amount of different options for something so universal; we were so impressed with the different shapes, types of gold and finishes, such as brushed or smooth. In the end, he chose a smooth surface which complements the band on my engagement ring well.
Was there a personal story or meaning behind any part of the designs?
I ordered my dress online and didn't have the traditional bride-to-be store experience; shopping for my wedding ring kind of replaced this for me. So I did want it to be so special, and it absolutely was. We were spoiled!
What was it like seeing the finished rings for the first time?
It was the first time everything felt real for me. As we eloped, we did no venue visits – so this was actually the first element of our wedding we saw come to life. I tried mine on and I did not want to take it off. I was debating dropping them off at my mum's house to fight temptation, but I managed to stay strict with myself.
How does it feel to wear something made specifically for you, rather than picked off a shelf?
It feels so special. I think about the future a lot and inheritance, and whoever inherits our jewellery will be receiving one-off pieces. I think that is unbeatable.
The wedding day
Where, when, and what was the atmosphere?
We got married on a crisp Sunday afternoon in the Hotel Chelsea, New York City. We had both decided pretty much straight away that we wanted to elope, and when we landed on NYC, there really was only one venue for me. My favourite book is Just Kids by Patti Smith, and the Chelsea is where she predominantly lived during the period of time that she writes about in the book. It's a memoir about love – and her partner Robert – I believe they met by fate. I wanted the four walls of the Chelsea to witness our love story too, and to be a part of it forever with all of its rich history.
Did you add any personal touches that reflected who you are as a couple?
We added some personalised vow books created by an independent local business, but we are that laid-back that we forgot to write in them until after we got back from the trip! The creator is the amazing @papirbyhannah on Instagram.
What moment from the day will stay with you the longest?
It really is so hard to say, but I think for me I would say having one of the long-term residents of the Chelsea, the wonderful Man Lai, as our witness was pretty rare and special. Read up on some of the history of the venue to hear about the residents!
By Kat Hill
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Every ring we make begins with two people and a story. With this new series, we're turning the page on the design process to share what happens next: real Austen & Blake couples, their journey to the aisle, and the rings they chose to mark it. First up, meet Amy and Andrew Hoban.
Meet Amy & Andrew
Where do you live? What do you both do? What's your favourite thing to do as a couple?
We are both born and bred and still living in our favourite city in the world, Liverpool. In a beautiful area filled with listed buildings not too far from the famous Penny Lane! Andrew is a digital systems architect and I work in Partnerships VIP Experience. We work at both of the football clubs in the city – Andrew is at one and I'm at the other. Our favourite thing to do together is walking our Italian Greyhound, Izzy. She’s our pride and joy!
Their story
How did you meet?
We both used to work together back when we both worked for the same football club. We had known each other for almost 10 years before things got romantic!
When did you know they were the one?
I always had a soft spot for him, but I think for me it was after the first evening we were in each other's company. It was really simple: we cooked food, drank wine and listened to some vinyls. That was enough for me to imagine doing that regularly! Andrew agrees.
The proposal
Where were you, and what happened?
I'd booked for us to go to Austria for Andrew's 30th. I wanted to book somewhere neither of us had been so we could experience a new location together for a milestone birthday. I'd found a beautiful glamping spot at a lake, which is what I booked. We arrived around the time the sun was due to be setting, and so Andrew suggested we take a walk around the site before we settled for the night, and when we got to the lake that's when he proposed.
Did they know it was coming, or was it a complete surprise?
It was a complete surprise, because I'd booked the trip; there was nothing out of the ordinary in the build-up that made me think he would be proposing. I did think it would be a beautiful place for a proposal, so I guess he knows my mind better than I thought! But once his hand luggage got checked in, I thought no way would you do that with an engagement ring in... clearly some would.
Rings: Sabrina engagement ring with emerald-cut diamond, Manon baguette diamond ring and Monaco bevelled profile wedding band, all in yellow gold.
Choosing their rings
What drew you to Austen & Blake?
For me, it was important to stick to the same place as my engagement ring as I wanted it to feel like a full circle moment. Andrew was so impressed with the attentiveness of the store and felt the experience was incomparable to other shops he had been in. The other places he felt like they just wanted him to spend his money – and weren't overly helpful when it came to looking at options of products. Austen & Blake did not rush the process, and were happy to listen to what Andrew had in mind for me and build something to spec. And my engagement ring is the most beautiful piece I own.
Walk us through the design process for both rings. How did you land on the final designs?
I have got quite small, delicate hands, so Andrew wanted to make sure the shape of my engagement ring would complement that. My best friend Olivia, who accompanied him to the Liverpool store, told me all about how he was really locked in on this – discussing how certain band widths would be too thick for me, he also wanted a big diamond but not something that would look like it was weighing my hand down and therefore look a bit silly.
For my wedding ring, I had been looking on Pinterest for inspiration and found a photo which featured an engagement ring identical to mine, paired with a wedding band built up of multiple baguette diamonds – and that made my mind up. I was so pleased that Austen & Blake had similar products because I did have my heart set on this.
Andrew was a bit easier than me in the sense that he knew he wanted a gold men's wedding ring, but what we didn't realise was the amount of different options for something so universal; we were so impressed with the different shapes, types of gold and finishes, such as brushed or smooth. In the end, he chose a smooth surface which complements the band on my engagement ring well.
Was there a personal story or meaning behind any part of the designs?
I ordered my dress online and didn't have the traditional bride-to-be store experience; shopping for my wedding ring kind of replaced this for me. So I did want it to be so special, and it absolutely was. We were spoiled!
What was it like seeing the finished rings for the first time?
It was the first time everything felt real for me. As we eloped, we did no venue visits – so this was actually the first element of our wedding we saw come to life. I tried mine on and I did not want to take it off. I was debating dropping them off at my mum's house to fight temptation, but I managed to stay strict with myself.
How does it feel to wear something made specifically for you, rather than picked off a shelf?
It feels so special. I think about the future a lot and inheritance, and whoever inherits our jewellery will be receiving one-off pieces. I think that is unbeatable.
The wedding day
Where, when, and what was the atmosphere?
We got married on a crisp Sunday afternoon in the Hotel Chelsea, New York City. We had both decided pretty much straight away that we wanted to elope, and when we landed on NYC, there really was only one venue for me. My favourite book is Just Kids by Patti Smith, and the Chelsea is where she predominantly lived during the period of time that she writes about in the book. It's a memoir about love – and her partner Robert – I believe they met by fate. I wanted the four walls of the Chelsea to witness our love story too, and to be a part of it forever with all of its rich history.
Did you add any personal touches that reflected who you are as a couple?
We added some personalised vow books created by an independent local business, but we are that laid-back that we forgot to write in them until after we got back from the trip! The creator is the amazing @papirbyhannah on Instagram.
What moment from the day will stay with you the longest?
It really is so hard to say, but I think for me I would say having one of the long-term residents of the Chelsea, the wonderful Man Lai, as our witness was pretty rare and special. Read up on some of the history of the venue to hear about the residents!
Credits
Photographer: Emily Meing
Venue: Hotel Chelsea, New York City
Wedding dress: Self Portrait
Accessories: Chanel shoes & hair bow; Anthropologie bag
Suit/outfit: Hugo Boss
Florist: Franz James Floral
Hair and makeup: Sophie Moiseeva