Wedding Bands: When To Buy?

Wedding bands are a huge symbol of love and commitment for couples. While there's no perfect time to buy your wedding bands, it's recommended to start shopping for them at least three months before the wedding, placing the order at least six months in advance. This is especially important if you want to customise your ring or add special touches. If you're going to wear your engagement ring and wedding band as a pair, it's helpful to try them on together to see if the styles complement each other and fit well.

Customisation and special touches take time, so plan ahead

Custom-designed wedding rings can become cherished heirlooms, packed with sentimental value. Adding an engraving, for example, will make your ring a constant reminder of your enduring love and commitment. If you decide to pass your ring down, these aspects will hold special meaning for your family members, adding another layer of history and sentiment.

Customisation also guarantees a perfect fit, reducing the risk of discomfort or the need for resizing. You can choose hypo-allergenic metals, ideal for individuals with allergies, and high-quality materials that suit your lifestyle and preferences.

If you're looking to add unique touches, consider the following:

• Engravings: Inscribe your names, initials, wedding dates, or a special message.
• Gemstones: A modest gemstone inside the band can be a secretive and profound touch.
• Unique design: Work with a jeweller or designer to create a pattern or motif that reflects your shared interests, cultural backgrounds, or a meaningful story from your relationship.
• Incorporate symbolism: Include symbols or motifs of personal significance, such as religious symbols or cultural elements.
• Custom fit and comfort: Work with a jeweller to ensure your bands are the perfect size and shape for your fingers.

Customisation takes time, so start planning and shopping early. Most wedding bands are made to order, so you don't want to risk an unforeseen delay. Start your search at least three months before the wedding, and place your order at least six months in advance.

Shop early to avoid unforeseen delays

Wedding bands are an important symbol of your love and commitment to one another. They represent your union and will be worn for a lifetime, so it's worth investing time in finding the perfect rings. To avoid unforeseen delays, it's recommended that couples start shopping for their wedding bands early—at least three months before the wedding, and ideally when they shop for the engagement ring.

Wedding bands are often made to order, so leaving it to the last minute could result in a rushed decision and an unsatisfactory ring. By starting early, you can ensure that you have enough time to find a ring that truly reflects your style and personality. This is especially important if you want something unique or customised, as these options may take longer to create.

For example, if you're planning to add any special touches, such as engraving or custom designs, these can extend the time needed to craft your rings. Engraving can add anywhere from $25 to $75 to the final price, depending on the number of characters and whether it's machine-carved or hand-engraved. Custom designs can take one to two months to complete, so it's crucial to factor in this additional time.

Additionally, if you're altering or building upon a piece of heirloom jewellery, you'll need to allow sufficient time for the jeweller to make the necessary adjustments. It's also worth noting that certain alterations may not be feasible, depending on the existing design of the heirloom piece.

Furthermore, if you're purchasing wedding bands with stones, it's important to consider the origin of those stones. Opting for eco-conscious and ethically sourced stones can add meaning to your wedding bands, but this may require additional time and research.

By starting your search early, you'll have the luxury of browsing a variety of options and making informed decisions without feeling rushed. You can also take advantage of sales and discounts, which can help you save money on your purchase.

In summary, shopping early for your wedding bands will help you avoid unforeseen delays, ensure you get the rings you truly desire, and allow you to enjoy the process of selecting these lifelong symbols of your love and commitment.

Decide who will buy the ring

There is no one "right" answer to the question of who should buy the wedding bands. Here are some options to consider:

The Couple Buys the Rings Themselves

It's becoming more common for couples to purchase their own wedding bands. This can be a practical option, especially if the couple is established financially and has a good idea of what they want. It can also be a symbol of their commitment to each other and their shared future.

One Partner Buys the Other's Band

This is a more traditional approach, where one partner, usually the man, buys the other's wedding band as a romantic gesture. This option may be preferred if one partner has a strong preference for selecting their own ring or if there is a significant financial disparity between the partners.

The Couple Uses a Shared Account

Some couples choose to use a shared account or fund to purchase the wedding bands. This can be a good option if the couple has combined their finances or wants to contribute equally to the purchase. It can also be a way to involve both partners in the decision-making process.

The Couple Receives the Rings as a Gift

In some cases, the couple may receive their wedding bands as a gift from family or friends. This can be a thoughtful way for loved ones to contribute to the wedding and ensure the couple has rings that are meaningful to them.

Factors to Consider

When deciding who will buy the wedding bands, it's important to consider the couple's financial situation, cultural background, and personal preferences. It's also essential to communicate openly and ensure that both partners are comfortable with the arrangement. Ultimately, the decision should be made based on what works best for the couple and reflects their unique relationship.

Understand the standard costs

Wedding bands are a huge symbol of love and commitment, so it's no surprise that you want to get it right. When it comes to budgeting for these important rings, it's good to know what to expect.

The cost of wedding bands varies depending on the metal, finger size, and width of the ring, as well as any additional embellishments and engravings. According to one source, couples in the US spend on average $1,417 on the bride's band and $558 on the groom's band, with a combined average of $1,975. Another source suggests that couples should expect to spend around 3% of their wedding budget on the wedding bands.

If you're looking for a simple 14-karat gold or platinum band, you can expect to pay around $1,000. The type of metal you choose will impact the price, with platinum being the most expensive option. White gold is the most popular choice, but other options include yellow gold, rose gold, and palladium. The number of karats in a gold ring will also affect the price, with higher karat numbers resulting in a higher price tag.

Adding diamonds or other gemstones to the band will also increase the cost. The price of these additions will depend on the "four Cs": cut, carat, colour, and clarity. The type of cut, the size of the stone, the quality, and the number of stones will all impact the final price.

If you want to add a personal touch with engraving, this will also add to the cost. Machine engraving is usually cheaper, costing around $25 for 15 characters, while hand engraving can be upwards of $75 for 8 characters.

The width of the band will also impact the price, with thicker bands requiring more metal and therefore costing more.

It's worth noting that some retailers will offer discounts if you purchase multiple wedding bands, so it's worth asking about this if you're buying from the same jeweller.

Finally, don't forget to consider the ongoing costs of owning a wedding band. Some metals, like tungsten, cannot be resized or repaired, so if your finger size changes, you'll need to purchase a new ring.

Consider insurance and warranties

Wedding bands are a huge symbol of love and commitment for married couples. They are also one of the most expensive and valuable pieces of jewellery a person will ever purchase. Therefore, it is important to consider insurance and warranties to protect your rings.

Insurance

Wedding ring insurance protects your rings from several risks, including theft, loss, and damage. It is a contractual form of agreement that lays out all the details of your jewellery coverage. You can either purchase insurance through your renter's or homeowner's insurance or get it from a jewellery insurance company.

When deciding on an insurance provider, it is essential to ask questions such as how the company will replace the ring, whether there are any circumstances that the insurance doesn't cover, and whether the policy adjusts according to inflation. It is also crucial to know the value of your ring, as this will affect the cost of insurance. On average, the yearly cost for jewellery insurance is about $1 to $2 for every $100 that it would cost to replace the ring.

Warranties

A wedding ring warranty typically covers the replacement of lost or damaged diamonds or gems for a lifetime as part of the price when you purchase the item. If you didn't buy a warranty when you purchased your ring, you can still get it insured.

When considering a warranty, it is important to know the documentation requirements, such as receipts, photos, and up-to-date appraisals. You should also understand the circumstances under which the warranty will cover repairs or replacements.

Frequently asked questions