I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I started Engagement 101. Two whole decades of engagement rings and love stories.

Here’s the thing: for the past ten years since we stopped printing the physical magazine, something’s been missing. We’ve had the website, social media, all lots of mostly vertical videos. But it never quite felt like Engagement 101 the way the magazine did. You know that feeling when you flip through pages, when everything flows together and tells a bigger story? That’s what I’ve been chasing.

So for our 20th anniversary, I did something that’s changed everything for me: I taught myself video production and post-production, and turned the entire magazine into a YouTube playlist. Not just random videos—an actual issue you can watch through like you’d read a magazine, with a table of contents and everything.

Why I’m Obsessed With This New Format

Learning video opened up a completely new passion for me. I love being behind the camera, asking questions, capturing moments documentary-style. It honestly feels more like journalism than anything I’ve done in years. There’s something quite magical about interviewing people on camera, shooting B-roll, and sifting through all the footage to bring out the most fascinating stories. For example, right in front of me, I witnessed jewelers become lifelong friends of the couples they designed engagement rings for. Some of our guests came off as shy on camera or in business interactions. I LOVED getting them to open up and show their funny and passionate sides, their quirky personalities. It’s something you rarely get in print.

And yeah, I’m trying to get more comfortable on camera too, but my favorite part is definitely directing and documenting these stories as they unfold.

What’s In This Issue

Cooking with Rings – Jewelers and brides hanging out in the kitchen, cooking a romantic menu while wearing their rings, just talking about life, relationships, proposals, and obviously jewelry. It’s cozy and real and exactly the kind of content I wish existed when I got engaged.

The Ring Whisperers – The relationship between couples and their jewelers is surprisingly intimate. This feature follows two jewelers and two couples through finding the perfect ring.

Romancing Utah –A 30-minute documentary on Utah’s proposal and engagement ring trends and its hub of men’s ring manufacturers. From engagement rings and proposals to cheeky nods at The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, we meet Utah couples and visit three manufacturers making men’s wedding bands with insane custom inlays: dinosaur bones, whiskey barrels, antlers, meteorite, guitar strings, if it matters to you, they’ll put it in your ring.

Marion Fasel Debunks Diamond Myths – Jewelry historian Marion Fasel sets the record straight on fake facts about natural diamonds that keep circulating.

Sweet and Cringe Proposals – We’re diving into real proposal stories—the ones that made you swoon and the ones that made you wonder “what were they thinking?”

Alison Lou – I sat down with designer Alison Lou, who just launched her bridal collection with bride-to-be Emily Ratajkowski. We talk about her designs, including toi et moi rings and yes, even divorce rings.

And 3 engagement ring trends features for all genders, all generations, all budgets and tastes!

Watch It Like You’d Read It

The playlist format lets you navigate everything like a table of contents. Watch straight through, jump to what interests you, come back later, however you’d normally experience a magazine. This is an experiment, and initially I did not know if people would watch a “magazine” on YouTube. But it feels right. It feels like Engagement 101. And honestly? I found something I love doing in the process.

So grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and watch the issue. Let me know what you think.

Here’s to 20 more years of celebrating your love stories.

PS We are also undergoing a site refresh which, gods of the internets willing, will be ready in December. Stay tuned!

Bises,

Severine

Watch now!