There’s something special about creating a piece that becomes part of someone’s wedding story. When I’m working on a custom ceramic wedding gift, I always think about the couple who will unwrap it for the first time. The idea that one of my hand-built ceramic pieces might live in their new home as a daily reminder of that celebration feels like such an honor.
Recently, I worked with a customer in New Jersey who wanted a custom ceramic wedding bowl designed around the wedding colors; gold and peacock blue. Those two tones together brought to mind elegance and joy. I built a deeply textured form that allowed the gold-like glaze to settle naturally into the surface, catching the light and shimmering beside the rich blue. The bride called it stunning, and her excitement reminded me why I love these collaborations.
What makes these projects meaningful is the connection that forms with each client. Before beginning a custom ceramic wedding bowl, I like to learn about the couple; the location of the wedding, the colors in their invitation, decor, and the overall feeling they want to capture. Some are drawn to coastal tones and organic textures, while others prefer classic whites or touches of metallic. Those details guide everything from the glaze to the form of the bowl.
Each piece starts with a consultation where we talk through ideas, budget, and timeline. I often suggest creating something that feels timeless and functional, a piece that can move gracefully through the seasons. Once we settle on a design, I begin shaping the bowl by hand in my Charlotte studio using high-quality stoneware clay.
The process typically takes six to eight weeks from start to finish. After forming, the piece dries completely before the first bisque firing. Then I apply glazes by hand, layering color and texture to achieve the right depth and tone. It’s a slow and thoughtful stage where even a small variation in brushwork can change the final look. Once glazed, the bowl is high fired for strength and durability.
Throughout the process, I keep in close communication with the customer, sharing updates and photos at key stages, such as when the bowl is formed, after bisque, when it’s glazed, and finally when it comes out of the kiln. That moment of opening the kiln is always exciting. Seeing the finished piece for the first time, after weeks of work and anticipation, never loses its magic.
By the end, the bowl isn’t just a gift but, a reflection of a couple’s story, translated into clay. Each wedding commission feels like a collaboration built on trust, artistry, and shared vision. The result is a piece meant to be loved for decades, one that carries meaning well beyond the wedding day.
If you’re looking for a personalized and lasting wedding gift, I’d love to create something special for you. You can explore my current pieces or reach out to begin a custom design. Every hand-built bowl tells a story, and I’d be honored to tell yours.
