Wedding preparations are endless and full of difficult decisions you’ll have to make. Maybe the most challenging and significant is choosing what wedding rings to buy. They’ll decorate your fingers your whole life as a symbol of connection and eternal love, so it’s crucial to choose the right one. That is usually a lot more difficult than, for example, selecting your wedding bouquet. You’ll have to decide which metal to use, what design suits you the best, how to combine your ring with your partner’s ring, etc. So without further ado, have a look at our wedding bands guide to help you make the right choice.

CONTENTS:

History of wedding rings

Ancient Egypt was the first known culture where people exchange bands as a symbol of love and eternity. They saw the circle as a powerful symbol of eternal love and life. Egyptians also recognised the space in the middle of the ring as a gateway to the unknown world. The ouroboros, which is one of the oldest symbols in the world, was created by Egyptians. It portrays a serpent swallowing its tail, which represents eternity. 

Signet rings were later used by Romans and Greeks. It is believed that the Romans were the first to connect bands to marriage. They carved love and marriage designs into aquamarine, garnet and onyx. 

The designs of rings and their meanings weren’t the only thing that changed throughout history. Also, the ring finger changed, which has been worn on almost every finger throughout the centuries. Today, people most commonly wear bands on the fourth ring finger of the left hand, which also originates in ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptian believed that the fourth finger had a vein connected straight to the heart. That made it the most appropriate finger for the symbol of love.

The basis of wedding band materials

Wedding bands are available in many different metals, including yellow, white rose gold, titanium, platinum and titanium. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.

The first thing you need to do before choosing your ring’s metal is to think about what you need from your band and your priorities. Some metals are soft, easily scratched and lightweight. On the other hand, others are more durable and resistant. 

Also, the colour of the metal has a significant influence on what will suit you the best. For example, white gold wedding rings complement fair and rosy skin tones and look modern and stylish. On the other hand, yellow gold looks stunning combined with dark skin tones.

As said before, some metals are durable and won’t scratch and lose their lustre. For example, palladium wedding rings are durable and lightweight, making them perfect for daily wear. Even more durable are titanium wedding rings, which won’t break or bend and are easy to maintain. 

If you want to learn more about wedding ring materials, check out our article pros & cons of wedding ring materials.

How to match your and your partners’ wedding bands?

The majority of people nowadays like to match their wedding bands to their partners’ band. Some choose to match the whole design so that the rings look identical, but some want only to include similar details and use matching materials.

Even though matching bands are more traditional, it is not a rule you have to follow. Your wedding rings don’t have to match at all. For example, many beautiful bands complement each other and make a stunning contrast. 

So how can you create matching wedding rings that compliment each other? For example, if his ring is made out of yellow gold, her ring can be rose gold. Also, if you would love to use birthstones as a decoration, his ring can feature her birthstone, and her band can shine with his birthstone. This way, you’ll create two stunning and unique rings that match but are not identical.

Combining your wedding band and engagement ring

Are you wondering how to combine your bands? Well, there is no right or wrong way – whatever speaks to you and feels right is what you should choose. The key is to stack them and place them on the same finger. But how well the bands match is entirely up to you. 

Some prefer not matching them at all and still stacking them together. Pairing different metals and designs do not necessarily look out of place – it can create a unique and refreshing look. However, most people like to wear bands that go along and look like siblings. Those bands are ideally from the same metals and designed to fit each other and be easily stacked.

If you choose to stack your rings, there is also a possibility to add other bands in the future. A significant anniversary, for example, can be the ideal occasion to add another ring to your set.

Finding the right size

Most people wear their wedding bands daily, so finding your size to fit you perfectly is necessary. Your ring size may change throughout time, depending on the weight gain, loss or even the weather or stress. So make sure you measure your ring size when you’re calm, and your temperature and the temperature of your surroundings is average. 

A professional can determine your size while shopping for your bands, or you can try to measure it in the comfort of your home. There are various ways of measuring your size. Some feature a string tied up around your finger and measuring its length, some purchasing a measuring tool online. The easiest option for the bride is to measure the size of her engagement ring. However, that only applies to the brides who decide to stack their bands on the same finger.