Ring-Making Elopement

FORGED IN LOVE A Ring-Making Elopement Short-notice elopements may be available, email us if we don't have your date available! Create your wedding bands together, exchange them at the jeweler’s bench, and leave legally married. Forged in Love is an intimate studio elopement experience for a couple and their two witnesses. (Two very nice witnesses can be provided for an additional $100). Over the course of approximately four to five hours, you will create your own wedding bands by hand before exchanging them during a private ceremony led by metalsmith and officiant Rhonda Dudek. While you work together at the jeweler’s bench, your witnesses will create bud-vase arrangements, stamp personalized keepsake tags, and collaborate on a special floral arrangement for the two of you. Once your rings are complete, they will be professionally polished and placed inside a custom ring box for a private reveal. You will then gather around the bench where your rings were made, share your vows, exchange your finished bands, and begin your marriage surrounded by the two people you chose to witness it. This is not a traditional wedding condensed into a smaller room. It is a meaningful, hands-on elopement centered around creating something lasting together. THE EXPERIENCE Create Your Wedding Bands With Rhonda’s guidance, you and your partner will each create a wedding band from start to finish. You will learn traditional metalsmithing techniques as you shape, solder, texture, size, and finish the rings you will soon exchange. Sterling silver wedding bands are included. 18KY or 14K yellow or rose gold upgrades are available for an additional charge based on each ring’s size, width, thickness, and current material cost. We'll need to order these materials at least 2 business days ahead of your Elopement if you'd like gold. All heirloom quality sterling silver options is included. Gold Ring sizes, widths, metals, and other design details must be finalized in advance so your materials can be prepared before the wedding day. The Keepsake Station While you work side by side at the jeweler’s bench, your witnesses will spend time at the Keepsake Station, creating their own bud-vase arrangements, stamping personalized brass tags, and working together on a special everlasting floral keepsake for the two of you. The finished arrangement becomes part of the ceremony and a lasting keepsake made by the people who witnessed your marriage. Ring Polishing & Celebration Once the rings have been made, Rhonda will complete their final polishing and finishing. During this approximately 15-to-30-minute interlude, the couple and witnesses may enjoy the snacks, cake, or drinks they have brought, freshen up, and prepare for the ceremony. The studio will then be reset for the ring reveal and vows. The Ring Reveal Your finished wedding bands will be presented inside a custom engraved walnut ring box. You will see the completed rings together for the first time during the ceremony at the jeweler’s bench. Vows at the Bench Your private legal ceremony will take place around the same bench where your wedding bands were created. Your two witnesses will stand nearby as Rhonda leads a warm, intimate ceremony that includes: A welcome and reflection on the rings you created Your declaration of intent Personal, templated, or repeat-after-me vows The exchange of your handmade wedding bands The legal pronouncement of marriage Your first kiss as a married couple You may write your own short vows, choose from templates provided in advance, or select simple repeat-after-me vows. WHAT IS INCLUDED A private studio elopement for the couple and two witnesses Approximately four to five hours of private studio time Guided wedding-band making for both partners Heirloom-Quality Sterling silver wedding-band materials Use of professional metalsmithing tools and equipment Final ring polishing and finishing by Rhonda A custom engraved walnut ring box Custom Favors for your guests and the couple A personalized legal ceremony performed by Rhonda Vow templates and ceremony-planning guidance Two witness bud-vase arrangements One collaborative floral arrangement for the couple Hand-stamped witness tags and keepsakes Personalized floral and decorative accents Coffee, tea, seltzers, and water Space for couple-provided snacks, cake, and beverages Custom Dessert topper Ceremony video from a fixed studio angle Photographs and still images documenting the experience(not professional) A digital collection of edited images and video Ring-care instructions Rhode Island marriage-license guidance Completion and return of the marriage license by the officiant SAMPLE TIMELINE Every experience unfolds a little differently, but your day will generally follow this schedule: Arrival and Welcome — 15 to 20 minutes Marriage-license review, introductions, refreshments, studio safety, and an overview of the day. Ring Making and Witness Garden — Approximately 2½ hours The couple creates their wedding bands while the witnesses make floral arrangements and stamped keepsakes. Polishing and Refreshment Interlude — 15 to 30 minutes The rings receive their final professional finish while everyone relaxes, enjoys refreshments, and prepares for the ceremony. Ring Reveal and Ceremony — Approximately 30 minutes The rings are presented in the custom box, followed by vows, the ring exchange, and the legal ceremony. Signing, Photographs and Celebration — Approximately 20 to 30 minutes The marriage license is completed, final photographs are taken, and your flowers and keepsakes are packaged to take home. Please allow approximately four to five hours for the complete experience. YOUR WEDDING BANDS Heirloom-Quality Sterling silver is included in the package price. 18KY and 14K yellow and rose gold upgrades are available for an additional charge. Gold pricing is calculated separately for each ring and depends on: Ring size Band width Metal thickness Gold color Current precious-metal prices Because your gold materials are ordered and prepared specifically for you, ring size, width, and metal choices must be confirmed before the ordering deadline. White gold, mixed-metal bands, stone setting, and complex ring designs are not currently offered as part of this experience. You'll have the opportunity to give your wedding bands a hand hammered texture, high polish or matte finish. YOUR CEREMONY After booking, you will receive a questionnaire covering: Your names and pronouns How you would like to be addressed during the ceremony How you met What you most appreciate about each other Your preferred ceremony tone Your vow style Your ring-exchange wording Music preferences Allergies or accessibility needs Photography and privacy preferences You are welcome to write personal vows, use a template, or select repeat-after-me vows. This experience is designed to remain intimate and manageable, so the ceremony includes light personalization rather than fully custom ceremony writing. MARRIAGE LICENSE & WITNESSES This experience includes a legally binding Rhode Island marriage ceremony. The couple is responsible for obtaining and bringing the original, valid Rhode Island marriage license to the studio. Instructions can be provided, or check the Two adult witnesses must be present for the ceremony and must sign the marriage license. Rhonda serves as the officiant and cannot also serve as one of the two witnesses. Before your wedding, you will receive instructions explaining the Rhode Island marriage-license process and what you will need to bring. The ceremony cannot legally proceed without: A valid marriage license Both members of the couple Two adult witnesses Accurate legal information After the ceremony, Rhonda will complete the officiant section and return the license to the issuing city or town clerk as required. RI Marriage License Requirements via Health Source RI General Marriage Requirements RI www.providenceri.gov/vital-statistics/requirements-marriage-license/ A marriage license is required to get married in the City of Providence. Both applicants must appear in person and provide all of the required documents listed here. Marriage license applications must be submitted in person with BOTH parties present and all required documents must be presented at the time of the application. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (3:00 PM during July and August) NO APPOINTMENT REQUIRED Certified copy of birth certificates Must have name(s) of parent(s) Valid government-issued form of ID (Driver’s license, State ID, or passport) If applicable, a certified copy of a final divorce decree/dissolution or death certificate Proof of residency – utility bill, bank statement, car registration, tax return or pay stub with current address All documents presented in another language other than English must have a certified and notarized English translation. The completed and signed marriage license (use black ink) must be returned within 72 hours of the ceremony to the local registrar. Officiants may return the license via mail or in person during business hours. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Residential eligibility: Providence resident(s) – ceremony may be performed in any city or town in the State of Rhode Island Out-of-state residents – ceremony must be performed within the City of Providence All applicants must be 18 years of age or older License expiration – license expires within three months from the date of issuance Documents not in English – must be certified by a translator and notarized Marriage License fees may be remitted via Check, Money Order, Debit Card (service fee applies for Debit or Credit card transactions). No Cash is accepted in the office under any circumstances. All documents must be originals. No copies will be accepted. Certified documents must have a raised seal. FOOD & DRINK You are welcome to bring a small selection of snacks, cake, and beverages to enjoy during the polishing interlude and after the ceremony. The experience is not designed to include a formal meal or catered reception. Coffee, tea, and water are provided. Alcohol must remain limited and responsible due to the use of studio tools and equipment. No alcohol may be consumed before or during the ring-making portion of the experience. All food and drink must remain in the designated refreshment area. PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO Rhonda will document meaningful moments throughout the experience, including: Ring making Witness activities The ceremony Floral arrangements Group and couple portraits inside the studio The ceremony will be recorded from a fixed side angle, and selected still images may also be taken from the video. This documentation is intended to preserve the story of your experience. It is not a replacement for full-service professional wedding photography or videography. Couples may also arrange for their own photographer, provided this is discussed and approved in advance. Estimated digital-delivery timeframe: 7 business days BOOKING & PAYMENT Forged in Love is available by advance reservation only and is limited to one elopement per day. This is refundable for 24 hours only. After that we order materials and your price is locked in. Gold upgrades and other approved additions are charged separately and must be paid before materials are ordered. Because custom materials, flowers, personalization, officiant preparation, and exclusive studio time are reserved for each couple, this experience follows a separate cancellation and rescheduling policy from standard workshops. BEFORE BOOKING Please review the following: This package is for the couple and exactly two witnesses. The experience lasts approximately four to five hours. Only one elopement is scheduled per day. Sterling silver wedding bands are included. Gold upgrades are priced separately. Gold Ring size, width, thickness, and metal must be finalized in advance. The couple must obtain and bring a valid Rhode Island marriage license. Both witnesses must be adults and must attend the ceremony. The studio experience includes light refreshments & snacks rather than a formal reception. Photography and video are provided as studio documentation, not full wedding-media coverage. The studio is an active metalsmithing workspace, and all participants must follow safety instructions. THIS STUDIO IS NOT ADA COMPLIANT AND YOU WILL HAVE TO WALK UP STAIRS TO THE SECOND FLOOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Can we book without witnesses? No. Rhode Island requires two witnesses in addition to the officiant. Your two witnesses must be present for the ceremony and marriage-license signing. Can we bring more than two guests? Forged in Love is intentionally designed as a private elopement for the couple and two witnesses. Additional guests are not currently accommodated but email just in case :) Do our witnesses make rings too? No. The wedding-band making is reserved for the couple. Witnesses participate through the floral arrangement and metal-tag activities. Do we need metalsmithing experience? No previous experience is necessary. Rhonda will guide you through each stage of creating your bands. Can we make gold rings? Yes. Fourteen-karat yellow or rose gold may be ordered as an upgrade. Pricing depends on the specifications of each ring and must be decided upon and ordered at least 2 business days in advance. Can we decide our ring width when we arrive? In Silver, yes. All decisions are made in studio at the start. We will need all info for Gold material upgrades tho. Can we bring food? You may bring snacks, cake, and beverages. A formal meal or reception is not included but we include some snacks and light beverages. Can we bring alcohol? A limited amount may be brought for the polishing interlude and post-ceremony toast. Alcohol cannot be consumed before or during the metalsmithing portion. Can we write our own vows? Yes. You may write short personal vows, use a provided template, or select repeat-after-me vows. Is the ceremony legally binding? Yes, provided you arrive with a valid Rhode Island marriage license and two eligible adult witnesses. Can we bring our own photographer? Yup! Outside photography must be discussed and approved before booking so there is enough space around the working studio and ceremony area. What happens if our rings need additional work? Rhonda will help guide the designs toward bands that can be safely completed during the scheduled experience. If an unexpected technical issue requires additional finishing, arrangements will be made before the rings are considered complete. A WEDDING MADE BY HAND The rings are more than something you exchange at the end of the ceremony. They are the ceremony’s beginning. You will shape them for one another, see them transformed through fire and pressure, and place them on each other’s hands only moments after they receive their final polish. Your witnesses will create something beside you. Your vows will be spoken at the bench. Your marriage will begin in the same place where your wedding bands were made. Forged in Love is a private wedding experience built around craftsmanship, intention, and the quiet magic of making something lasting together.