HTSI Wedding Special Features Vintage Diamonds and DIY Couples

The HTSI editor's letter introduces a wedding-themed issue published on April 18 2026. A cover story photographed by Ina Lekiewicz Levy over two days in New Orleans features local talents styled by Isabelle Kountoure with retro 1970s hair and flouncy clothing. The issue highlights oversized engagement diamonds, citing Taylor Swift's seven-to-10-carat old-mine-cut diamond that has renewed collector interest in vintage gemstones from 18th-century Brazilian mines. Jewelry expert Vivienne Becker notes these stones often have wonky symmetry and chunky facets but possess soulful charm. Cristiano Ronaldo's 30-carat diamond for Georgina Rodríguez, valued between $3 million and $5 million, is mentioned alongside references to Mrs. Bezos. The editor recounts personal proposal anecdotes, including one in a New York elevator after visiting the Empire State Building and witnessing a failed restaurant proposal in Cork. DIY couples are profiled, including florists who arranged their own flowers and artists like Hayley Cherkas who made her wedding dress and performed with her band. Photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson is referenced with a 1969 image. The letter avoids generic reflections, focusing on specific details about fashion, jewelry, and personal stories.