Something Old, Something New: Honour Wainwright Shares Wedding Jewellery Trends, Tips, and Plans for Her Own Wedding Day

You've said "yes" to the dress, now it's time to check another item off your wedding planning list  — the wedding jewellery. From dazzling diamond earrings to classic pearl necklaces and elegant tennis bracelets, choosing your wedding accessories can feel overwhelming. So, we asked Honour Wainwright, heiress and marketing manager of the iconic British jeweller Boodles, to guide us through the latest jewellery styles and timeless wedding traditions. 

Growing up surrounded by the sparkle of precious stones, Honour's passion for jewellery is woven into her DNA. As a key member of the Boodles team, and now also a bride-to-be, she offers a unique perspective on the family legacy, bridal jewellery trends, and the importance of choosing wedding jewellery that reflects your personal style. Read her expert insights on bridal jewellery must-haves and tips, and peek into the plans for her own upcoming wedding (including her unique picks for the wedding registry). 

What are your favourite Boodles pieces or collections?

I love all of our jewellery, so picking a favourite seems like I am choosing a favourite child! However…The Raindance collection, for instance, is super special as it was the collection that put Boodles on the map. The Raindance ring was one of the first Boodles pieces I owned, and it was also gifted to me by my parents on my 21st birthday. Its unique design and intricate detailing make it both contemporary and wearable, all while being inspired by Britishness, which is at the heart of Boodles' DNA. It’s also Boodles’ most iconic piece and was handpicked by the V&A Museum’s jewellery curator to showcase in their permanent exhibition as an icon of British jewellery design, so it felt like a fitting gift, being a family member of the business. 

I also love our new Fifth Avenue collection, which is a celebration of working with the Ashoka cut diamond for 25 years. This is my favourite cut of diamond; it has 62 facets rather than the 58 facets of an emerald cut, meaning it appears much more sparkly! 

Peace of Mined is another really important collection to me  — it was a high jewellery collection that we launched a few years ago, featuring fully traceable stones from three different mines. The diamonds can be traced from the moment they are mined until they arrive fully mounted in our showrooms. There is something really special about knowing the diamond on your finger was in the ground just a few months ago! 

What are your childhood memories that inspired your passion for jewellery?

I’ve been totally brought up in Boodles! Every school holiday was spent on the shop floor, making tea and coffee for our clients and cutting bits of ribbon for our packaging. One colleague still teases me about the time my twin and I came to work with our father when we were about four, proudly carrying briefcases filled with colouring pencils — so it’s been ingrained in my DNA since I was a little girl! I've always been a bit of a magpie, drawn to anything sparkly. Now, I get to channel that passion into my role, working in both marketing and design.

There has also been an increased demand for Art Deco style wedding rings, which are definitely our most sought-after bridal rings at the moment, as they are stunning and durable pieces that can be worn day to day. We are finding clients increasingly want ‘wearable’ yet statement jewellery. We recently created a collection called Fifth Avenue, which we created to respond to the demand for this style of jewellery, which features statement gemstones but in an everyday-friendly setting.

Sustainability and traceability are also key when it comes to choosing jewellery for the bride on her wedding day. More than ever, understandably, people want to know the story behind their jewellery, from the ethical sourcing of materials to how pieces are crafted. 

1. Know the Basics: Familiarise yourself with the four Cs of diamonds —cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight. This knowledge is helpful for a basic understanding of what you are doing when choosing the wedding and engagement! 
2. Set a Budget: Determine a comfortable budget before doing your engagement or wedding ring shopping. It makes it so much easier for both you and the salesperson and means they never show you anything that is out of budget.
3. Understand the Metal: When designing your wedding ring, choose a metal that matches your lifestyle and personal style — yellow/rose/white gold or platinum.
4. Consider Personal Style: Reflect on your partner’s jewellery style. Does it lean more towards classic, vintage, or contemporary? 
5. Opt for Quality: At Boodles, quality is the utmost important thing. Invest in high-quality materials and craftsmanship to ensure your engagement or wedding ring lasts a lifetime.
6. Seek Expert Advice: Don’t hesitate to consult experts for guidance throughout the jewellery selection process. Their experience can help narrow down choices.
7. Explore Customisation: If you have a specific wedding jewellery vision, consider customising or creating your own ring. Boodles can work with you to create a unique piece that reflects your love story.
8. Remember the Experience: Make the ring selection a memorable occasion. Enjoy the process with or without your partner!
9. And finally, trust your instincts — go with your gut. It’s usually right! 

How do you choose jewellery that reflects your unique taste?

My personal style plays a big role in the jewellery I choose and also put to the Design department. I tend to gravitate towards pieces that have both a classic elegance and a bit of individuality. I love jewellery that can make a statement without being too overpowering and pieces that can be worn from day to night. I never take my jewellery off, so it’s really important for it to be comfortable and wearable. 

Do you have jewellery heirloom pieces that you treasure?

I wear my grandmother’s wedding band every day on my pinky finger. The wedding ring is particularly special as it is coincidentally from Boodles, despite it being from my non-Boodles side of the family. It has become another heirloom in my family, as it was passed down from my grandmother to my mother, who recently gave it to me, making it even more special!

The first piece of Boodles jewellery I bought myself with some money that was left to me by my grandfather was a Be You bangle. I never take the bracelet off, and I have my four grandparents' initials engraved on the inside, which makes me feel like they are always with me.

I also inherited a watch from my grandmother, and it is the most precious piece of jewellery I own. It was passed down from her mother, therefore passed from generation to generation, and has become a family heirloom that I hope to pass on to my daughter one day. By wearing something she wore every day, I am reminded of her every time I look at it.

And I hope my beautiful new engagement ring will become a family heirloom too now!

Last year, you and your partner Charlie got engaged — congratulations! Can you share with us your engagement story?

The whole engagement happened in Thurlestone, Devon — a spot my family has been visiting for generations. Charlie had been pulling a sneaky double bluff, acting like he wasn’t sure if he could make the trip because of work. He even made a big show of "deciding last minute" to come along, but of course, he’d been planning it the whole time! The week before, he’d already asked my dad for permission, and my brother (who works in sales at Boodles) was in the loop because of the ring. Naturally, my dad spilt the beans to my mom, and my brother even warned his girlfriend that the weekend might not be as relaxed as she was hoping for. So, pretty much everyone knew — except me!

Charlie spent the entire morning trying to get me to go for a walk, but I was having none of it, perfectly happy to sunbathe. Then he suggested a swim later in the afternoon, but I was glued to the TV, watching the Olympics. Poor guy didn’t stand a chance! It wasn’t until my brother and his girlfriend stepped in that I finally gave in to FOMO and decided to join them for a swim. I put on a swimsuit and an oversized shirt, ready to go.

Still, I didn’t suspect a thing — even when my brother conveniently had “emails to reply to” and his girlfriend had a sudden “important call” to make. When Charlie suggested heading to a specific beach, I was a bit stubborn (not my finest moment), insisting on the closest one so I could get back quickly after my dip in the freezing British sea. But, thankfully, he convinced me, and we ended up on a cliff with a gorgeous view of the water. Way more romantic than my original plan!

What I didn’t know was that Charlie had been carrying the ring around since 11 AM, patiently waiting for his not-so-cooperative girlfriend to finally cooperate! By the time he got me out of the house, it was 5:30 PM! And there I was, completely unprepared—no makeup, messy hair that hadn’t seen a wash in a few days, and nails that were far from perfect. But honestly, it was perfect because it felt like me.

We celebrated that evening with my extended family (the Boodles side — yes, we work together and holiday together!). And the next day was all about nursing hangovers while calling all our friends to share the big news!

I had two designs in mind: a classic 3-stone Ashoka and a more unique style. To be honest, I wasn’t sure which I preferred until after Charlie proposed. He presented me with a stunning Boodles 3-stone Ashoka (sneakily grabbed by my brother from the Boodles vault before our holiday) as a placeholder. Since it was similar to my mom’s ring, I decided to go for something different. I wore it for a few weeks while my bespoke ring was made, and I loved it!

Together, Charlie and I designed the final engagement ring, inspired by a Boodles piece that sold a few months before, which I was gutted about when I heard it had gone! It has an Art Deco feel, featuring the Ashoka diamond at its centre and two hidden pink diamonds that I absolutely adore!

I had never experienced the full "Boodles experience" before — being treated like a client with champagne and all the works! I didn’t even know the ring was ready; I just popped down to the shop after a colleague called to say a delivery had arrived for me. And there was Charlie! It was such a lovely surprise, and I felt like a proper Boodles client.

Do you have a vision for your wedding day already? 

There’s still so much to consider and plan! My vision keeps evolving, to be honest. But so far, we’re thinking of an English country wedding at my childhood home in Hampshire, starting with a church wedding ceremony followed by a marquee in the garden. Day 2 will be a pool party with a BBQ—I'm just so excited to have all my favourite people gathered in one place!

You probably already know what wedding jewelry you want...

Jewellery is going to be a key focus for me on the wedding day! I want to really think through the wedding jewellery pieces I’ll wear before deciding on the dress. Definitely something timeless and classic, like our Ashoka collar or Beach necklace. For earrings, I have always loved our Mosaic Ashoka drop earrings or the classic Raindance double drop earrings. But at the moment I still haven’t decided on my jewellery set for the wedding, so we will have to wait and see! 

You recently had your first gift list appointment in our Chelsea showroom. Can you tell us about your experience?

Visiting The Wedding Present Company was so much fun—like being a child in a sweet shop! I wanted everything! The Wedding List Advisor team were amazing, guiding us through the process and wedding gift ideas, making what could have been an overwhelming experience feel completely effortless. Now we just have to hope we receive some of the gifts!

The Wedding Present Company is a bespoke wedding gift list experience; couples come to us seeking the extraordinary. We offer a tailored and completely personalised wedding registry experience free of charge. Our team goes above and beyond to help you create a wedding list that is unique to both of you and full of items that you will love and use for a lifetime.

Honour Wainwright is the heiress and marketing director of the iconic British jeweller Boodles. To explore wedding jewellery collections and learn about the brand's service, visit the website at boodles.com. You can also follow Chenai on Instagram at @boodles. All photos provided courtesy of Boodles and Honour Wainwright's personal archive.