Choosing The Perfect Wedding Band

Choosing a wedding band is an important part of wedding planning. The wedding band is something you'll be wearing every day for the rest of your life, so it's worth putting in the time and effort to find one you love. Whether you're choosing the band as a couple or independently, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, start your search early – three to four months before the wedding is ideal, especially if you're considering a custom design. It's also a good idea to shop with your engagement ring so you can see how the two look together. While there are no strict rules, you'll want to love the way they look as a set. Keep your lifestyle in mind too – if you're very active or work with your hands, you may want to opt for a more durable and low-maintenance band.

Start your search early

Wedding bands are an important symbol of your union and commitment to one another. To ensure you don't have to compromise on your ring of choice, it's important to start your search early. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Start Early

It is recommended that couples start their search for wedding bands at least six months to three months before the wedding. This is especially important if you want something unique or customised, as most wedding bands are made to order. Starting early will give you enough time to explore different options, compare prices, and make any necessary adjustments. The last thing you want is to feel rushed or end up with a placeholder ring on your wedding day.

Understand the Process

Customising or ordering a wedding band can take time, and you may need to place your order at least six months in advance. Be sure to inquire about the cost and timing of adjustments before making your purchase. This is also an opportunity to build a relationship with a trusted jeweller, who can be your go-to source for cleaning, resizing, repairs, and future customizations.

Do Your Research

Before you begin your search, educate yourself on the different types of metals, styles, and designs available for wedding bands. This will help you narrow down your options and make more informed decisions. Consider factors such as your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences. If you already have an engagement ring, think about how you want the two rings to pair together.

Factor in Your Lifestyle

Choose a wedding band that aligns with your daily activities and suits your personal style. If you work with your hands or lead an active lifestyle, consider opting for a stronger metal or a simple, low-profile design. If you want to add some sparkle to your band, channel-set gemstones can be a great choice, offering both durability and elegance.

Seek Inspiration

Look online or browse celebrity styles for inspiration. Create a mood board or save images of designs that spark your interest. This will help you identify the characteristics, details, and overall vibe that resonate with you. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and consider custom designs if you can't find what you're looking for in the market.

Shop with your engagement ring

When shopping for a wedding band, it's important to bring your engagement ring with you. The shape of the diamond in your engagement ring can impact which wedding ring style will best complement it.

Consider whether you want your wedding band to sit flush next to your engagement ring without a gap, or whether you're happy to have a little space between the two. This will depend on the setting of your engagement ring. For example, engagement rings with high-profile settings, like cathedral and Tiffany, often have space for your wedding band to sit "under" the diamond, leaving no gap.

You'll also want to consider whether you want your wedding band to match your engagement ring in terms of metal type. Traditionally, wedding bands are made using the same type of metal as the engagement ring, but this is not set in stone. If you like wearing both gold and silver jewellery, you can pair the two metals together for a unique look.

If you're looking for a wedding band to pair with a solitaire engagement ring, a curved band is a good option. This style fits around the engagement ring, making the centre stone appear even larger. A notched wedding band is similar, with a small dip in the centre that allows it to sit flush under the centre stone.

For marquise, oval, and pear-cut engagement rings, a chevron wedding band is a stylish choice. This pointed, v-shaped band mimics the fashion-forward feel of these engagement ring styles.

If you're after maximum sparkle, a pavé wedding band paired with a halo engagement ring is a timeless and flattering choice.

For an oval-cut engagement ring, a twisted or beaded wedding band will enhance the trendy vibe of this diamond shape.

A flat, unembellished wedding band is a good match for an engagement ring with a bezel setting. This type of band sits flush under the raised stone, making it a great option for active brides or anyone who wants a minimal look.

Keep your lifestyle in mind

When choosing a wedding band, it's essential to keep your lifestyle in mind. After all, this is a ring you'll be wearing every day for the rest of your life. If you work with your hands or play sports, opt for a simple solid gold design or a low-profile ring. For those who want sparkle without sacrificing durability, consider a channel-set gemstone ring. This setting keeps the gemstones secure, so you can wear your ring during your adventures without worrying about damage.

If you work with your hands, consider a stronger metal such as tungsten or platinum, which can better withstand continuous wear and tear. Additionally, if you plan to wear your ring during activities like cooking, gardening, swimming, or sleeping, keep in mind that intricate etching or engravings can trap dirt and are harder to clean. Smooth, polished bands might be a better choice for those who want to wear their rings 24/7.

When selecting a metal, think about the other pieces of jewellery you often wear. Most brides choose the same metal used in their engagement ring for their wedding band to keep all their jewellery cohesive. However, there's no rule saying you can't mix metals if you're looking for a unique touch.

Adding stones and gems, such as diamonds, sapphires, or rubies, can make your wedding band stand out. While pavé and channel settings add sparkle and flair, consider your lifestyle to ensure the design is practical. These settings can also increase the cost, so keep your budget in mind.

Choose a practical band

When choosing a wedding band, it's important to consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you have a hands-on job or lead an active lifestyle, opt for durable materials that resist scratches and damage. For example, tungsten and titanium are ideal choices as they can withstand heavy wear and tear. If your job or hobbies involve exposure to chemicals or abrasive materials, choose a corrosion-resistant material like platinum or high-quality gold to prevent tarnishing or degradation.

For those who engage in sports and recreational activities, a flexible and non-conductive ring is a must. Silicone rings are a popular choice for their safety and comfort during physical activities. The width of the band is also an important consideration, with narrower bands offering a minimalistic look and wider bands providing a bolder, more noticeable design. The correct width will also influence the comfort and fit of the ring, so it's important to try on different widths to find the perfect balance.

When it comes to materials, gold, in its varieties like yellow, white, and rose, offers a classic appeal but requires regular maintenance. Platinum, on the other hand, stands out for its durability and weight, making it a premium choice for those seeking longevity. Tungsten is known for its scratch-resistant properties and heavy feel, while titanium is lightweight and hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.

Determining your budget is also a vital step in the selection process. Understanding the average costs of wedding bands can guide your decision-making process and help you balance quality with affordability. There are also various saving tips to consider, such as choosing lesser-known materials or opting for simpler designs, which can significantly reduce costs.

Get the comfort fit

When it comes to wedding bands, comfort is key. You'll be wearing this ring every day for the rest of your life, so it's important to make sure it's comfortable. A comfort-fit ring has a rounded or domed interior, which helps it slide over your knuckle more easily than a standard-fit ring. The inside diameter of a comfort-fit ring gets bigger as you get closer to the edge of the ring, whereas a standard-fit ring has the same diameter from one edge to the other. This means that comfort-fit rings tend to fit a bit looser than standard-fit rings of the same size, so you may want to choose a size that's about half a size smaller than your standard fit ring size.

The benefit of a comfort-fit ring is that it has less surface area in contact with your finger, which means there is less chance of moisture and dirt becoming trapped against your skin. This also makes the ring easier to clean. Additionally, the rounded interior of a comfort-fit ring means that it won't catch on your skin as you slide it on and off, or dig into your finger when you make a fist. This is especially important if you have a wider ring.

Comfort-fit rings are also a good option if you have knobbly knuckles. The rounded interior of the ring makes it glide over the knuckle without any hard edges that could cause aggravation and inflammation, especially as you get older.

While comfort-fit rings offer a more comfortable option, they are typically more expensive than standard-fit rings because they require extra metal to create the domed interior. They are also more difficult to resize and are usually made out of materials such as tungsten, ceramic, cobalt, and titanium. However, the extra cost may be worth it for the added comfort and ease of wear that comfort-fit rings provide.

Frequently asked questions