Wedding Band: Choose Your Forever Ring

Choosing a wedding band is an important decision – after all, it's a ring you'll be wearing every day for the rest of your life. While some engagement ring jewelers offer matching wedding bands, many do not, so shopping for this accessory can be a daunting task. There are a few universal steps to guide you through the process. Firstly, start your search early – three to four months before the wedding is ideal, especially if you're eyeing a custom design. Secondly, decide on a budget – this will help narrow down your options and save you from falling in love with a ring that's out of your price range. Thirdly, factor in your lifestyle – choose a ring that suits your day-to-day activities. If you work with your hands or play sports, consider a simple, solid gold design or one that's low-profile. Fourthly, look online for ring inspiration – celebrity rings can be a great source of ideas. Finally, try before you buy – even if you plan on choosing your wedding ring online, it's important to try on different styles to see what you like and what suits your engagement ring.

Start looking early

Wedding bands are an important piece of jewellery that you'll be wearing for the rest of your life, so it's crucial to start looking early. By starting your search for wedding bands three to four months before the wedding, you'll have ample time to find the perfect rings that symbolise your love and commitment. Here are some reasons why starting early is beneficial:

Avoid Last-Minute Stress

Waiting too long to choose your wedding bands can lead to unnecessary stress and rushed decisions. By starting early, you'll have the luxury of time to browse, compare, and make informed choices without feeling pressured. This is especially important if you're considering custom designs or special touches, as these processes can take extra time.

Customisation and Special Touches

Customising your wedding bands or adding special touches, such as engravings or gemstones, requires additional time. Starting early allows you to explore these options and ensure that your rings are crafted to your exact specifications. Whether you want to match your partner's band or express your personal style, early planning gives you the freedom to create unique and meaningful rings.

Finding the Right Jeweller

Selecting a trusted jeweller is an important step in the process. By starting your search early, you can research and compare different jewellers, considering factors such as warranty, financing options, insurance, and after-care services. A good jeweller will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and provide a pleasant shopping experience.

Enjoy the Experience

Choosing wedding bands shouldn't be a rushed or stressful endeavour. By starting early, you can turn the experience into a memorable and enjoyable journey. Take your time, make a day of it, and savour the process of selecting these lifelong symbols of your love. Enjoy romantic meals, celebrate your engagement, and create lasting memories as you choose your wedding bands together.

Allow Time for Alterations

Even after you've selected your wedding bands, there may be last-minute changes or alterations needed. By starting early, you'll have a buffer of time to make any necessary adjustments. This could include resizing, engraving, or adding special touches that you decide on closer to the wedding day.

In summary, starting your search for wedding bands early gives you the time and flexibility to make thoughtful decisions, customise your rings, and create a stress-free and enjoyable experience as you prepare for your special day. So, don't delay—start browsing and enjoy the process of choosing these lifelong symbols of your love and commitment.

Shop with your engagement ring

When shopping for a wedding band, it is important to keep your engagement ring in mind. While there are no strict rules about pairing your engagement ring with your wedding band, you should love the way they look together, as that's often how you'll wear them.

Firstly, consider the height of your centre stone basket. This will determine whether a straight wedding band will fit flush with your engagement ring. If your basket is low, a standard wedding band will bump against the centre stone basket and create a gap. Some people like this gap, but if you don't, try a curved band. If your centre stone basket is raised, you'll have more options to choose from, and both straight and curved bands could work for you.

Next, consider the metal of your wedding band. Do you want it to match your engagement ring, or do you want to mix it up? Those with a more classic sensibility tend to keep the metal the same, but it can be fun to experiment with different metal pairings. One popular combination is the warm hue of rose gold next to white gold or platinum. If you wear rings of various metals in addition to your engagement ring, a mixed wedding set is worth considering.

Many people like the idea of adding new bands to their original wedding set to mark an anniversary or the birth of a child. If this is something you'd like to do in the future, keep that in mind when trying on wedding bands. You'll likely find several combinations that work beautifully together.

Finally, don't be afraid to be creative with your wedding band. Pick a style that both complements your engagement ring and lets your personality shine through. A wedding band need not be plain!

Keep your lifestyle in mind

When choosing a wedding band, it's important to keep your lifestyle in mind. You'll be wearing your wedding band every day, so it needs to suit your day-to-day activities and personal style. If you're constantly working with your hands or playing sports, consider a simple solid gold design or a low-profile ring. Simple gold or platinum rings are also a good choice if you're not into extra upkeep. If you have an active lifestyle but don't want to sacrifice sparkle, opt for a wedding ring with channel-set gemstones. With this setting, small round diamonds or other gems are placed side-by-side between open channels that keep them secure, allowing you to wear your ring without worrying about potential damage.

If you plan on rarely taking off your wedding band, accurate sizing is crucial. Your ring must fit even when your fingers swell and contract due to temperature changes, exercise, or even pregnancy. Schedule your ring fitting when you're relaxed, not retaining water, and your body temperature is normal. Avoid morning appointments or fittings right after exercising.

Additionally, consider the level of durability and maintenance your wedding band requires. If you're super active or use your hands a lot for work, choose a more durable option to prevent damage and premature wear. Intricate wedding bands require more time and care to maintain, so consider a simple, fuss-free design if you're not interested in extra upkeep.

Remember, your wedding band should reflect your personality and complement your engagement ring. Whether you're choosing a ring together with your partner or independently, keep your lifestyle in mind to ensure you find the perfect wedding band for your everyday wear.

Know the different metals

Choosing the right metal for your wedding band is an important decision, as it will be something you wear every day for the rest of your life. The type of metal you choose will depend on your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and budget. Here are some of the most popular metals for wedding bands:

Gold

Gold, particularly yellow gold, is the traditional and classic choice for wedding bands. It is also the most common type of metal used for jewellery. When it comes to gold, the higher the karat, the softer the metal. 24-karat gold is so soft that it can easily be scratched or bent, so for a wedding band, it is best to choose a lower karat. 10-karat gold is the most durable, while 14-karat and 18-karat gold offer a good balance of durability and a golden hue. Gold is also a practical choice as it can be crafted into detailed rings with a variety of settings.

Platinum

Platinum is a popular choice for wedding bands and engagement rings due to its strength and durability. It has a grey finish that enhances the sparkle of diamonds. Unlike white gold, platinum does not require re-plating every few years and will acquire a duller patina over time, which is seen as desirable. Platinum is also hypoallergenic and nickel-free, making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin.

White Gold

White gold is a contemporary choice for wedding bands and has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. It is made with yellow gold alloyed with nickel, manganese, or palladium, giving it a silvery colour. White gold is usually plated with rhodium to give it a hard sheen, but this plating will wear off over time and require re-polishing.

Rose Gold

Rose gold is a romantic choice for wedding bands, with its blush colour symbolising love and affection. It is made with copper, which gives it a warm hue. Rose gold is also hypoallergenic, as it does not contain nickel, making it less likely to cause skin irritation. It is durable and low-maintenance, as it does not tarnish.

Palladium

Palladium is a member of the platinum family and shares many of the same properties, including a white hue and hypoallergenic qualities. It is less dense than platinum, allowing it to be crafted into finer pieces of jewellery. Palladium is also lightweight, scratch-resistant, and durable, making it a good choice for those with an active lifestyle. However, it can be tricky to resize.

Silver

Silver is one of the oldest precious metals used in jewellery and is the most affordable option on the market. It has a white, moonlike hue and is often mixed with copper or other metals to create sterling silver, which is more durable. Silver is a low-maintenance metal that gains a desirable patina over time. However, it is a soft metal that can easily get scratched and tarnished, so it may not be the best choice for those who do not want the extra upkeep.

Alternative Metals

In addition to the classic metal options, there are also alternative metals to choose from, such as titanium, tungsten, and cobalt. These metals offer a contemporary look and are strong, scratch-resistant, and easy to maintain. However, they cannot be easily resized, so it is important to ensure you have the correct size when ordering.

Think about the future

When choosing a wedding band, it's important to consider the future and how the ring will fit into your everyday life. You'll be wearing your wedding band every day, so it needs to suit your lifestyle and activities. If you work with your hands or play sports, consider a simple solid gold design or a low-profile ring. If you have an active lifestyle but want some sparkle, opt for a wedding ring with channel-set gemstones, where small round diamonds or gems are placed side-by-side between open channels, keeping them secure.

The more intricate your wedding band, the more time and care you'll need to invest in maintenance. If you're not interested in extra upkeep, a simple gold or platinum ring is a perfect choice. Accurate sizing is also crucial, especially if you plan on rarely taking off your ring. Ensure your ring fits even when your fingers swell or contract due to temperature changes, exercise, or even pregnancy.

While it's not necessary for wedding bands to match, some couples prefer to choose coordinating bands. If you're opting for matching sets, don't feel limited to traditional metal pairings. Feel free to mix metals and shapes to give your wedding set a modern look. For example, mixing white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold can create a stunning combination. Ultimately, the decision to match or not is a personal choice.

Frequently asked questions