Wedding Band: Which Finger?

There are many traditions and beliefs about where to place your wedding band and engagement ring. In Western cultures, it is customary to wear both rings on the ring finger of the left hand, which is believed to hold the vein that connects directly to the heart. Some brides move their engagement ring to their right hand during the wedding ceremony so that the wedding band can be slipped onto the left hand. After the ceremony, the engagement ring is returned to the left hand, either on top of or below the wedding band. Some brides also choose not to wear their engagement ring during the ceremony, keeping it safe with a trusted bridesmaid or family member or locked away. Ultimately, how you choose to wear your rings is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong way.

On the ring finger of the left hand

Wearing the wedding band on the ring finger of the left hand is a popular choice for brides and grooms. This tradition stems from the belief in Ancient Rome that the fourth finger on the left hand had a vein that ran directly to the heart – the 'vena amoris' or vein of love. This custom is common in the US, UK, France, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, and many Asian countries.

There are two options for wearing the wedding band and engagement ring on the left-hand ring finger. The first is to place the wedding band first, closest to the heart, and then the engagement ring. This is the traditional way of wearing the rings, symbolising that the wedding band crystallises the promise of the engagement. The second option is to wear the engagement ring first and the wedding band on top. This is a more recent trend, perhaps influenced by celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Emily Ratajkowski. This may be due to the shape and style of the rings, or simply personal preference.

On the wedding day, the engagement ring is often moved to the right hand so that the wedding band can be placed on the left hand. After the ceremony, the engagement ring is returned to the left hand, either on top of or below the wedding band. Some brides choose not to wear their engagement ring during the ceremony, keeping it safe or giving it to a trusted bridesmaid or family member.

On the right hand

Wearing a wedding band on the right hand is a common practice in many countries, including Germany, Russia, India, Spain, Greece, and Colombia, where it often carries cultural and symbolic significance. In Orthodox Christian countries, such as Greece and Bulgaria, the right hand is considered the hand of honour and strength, aligning with the religious doctrine of "right hand of God." The practice also stems from the belief that the left hand is impure or untrustworthy.

In Eastern European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, the right hand represents the path of virtue and justice, making it an ideal location for a symbol of marital fidelity. This tradition is deeply rooted in the region's customs and religious beliefs.

Wearing a wedding band on the right hand can also be a matter of personal preference or comfort, especially for left-handed individuals. The left hand is the dominant hand for left-handed people, and wearing a ring on the right hand can reduce the risk of damage or injury to the ring during daily tasks. Additionally, some people may find it more comfortable to wear a ring on their non-dominant hand, which is usually the left hand for right-handed individuals.

In terms of symbolism, the right hand is often associated with trust, loyalty, and honour, making it an ideal choice for wedding bands. This symbolism is particularly important for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who may choose to wear their wedding bands on the right hand to represent a monogamous and loyal relationship.

Furthermore, wearing a wedding band on the right hand can be a stylistic choice. Some individuals may prefer to wear their wedding band on the right hand to showcase their sense of fashion or complement their attire. Current trends might also encourage wearing statement pieces, like large or ornate rings, on the right hand.

On the same finger as the engagement ring

There is no right or wrong way to wear your wedding band and engagement ring—it's completely up to you! However, if you want to follow tradition, you can wear both rings on the ring finger of your left hand, with the wedding band on top. This is because, according to ancient Roman belief, the left ring finger is connected to the heart via the 'vena amoris' or vein of love. By placing the wedding band closest to your heart, you symbolically crystallise the promise of your engagement.

Wearing the wedding band on top also makes practical sense, as some people choose to wear their wedding ring daily and reserve their more expensive engagement ring for special occasions. This way, you can keep your engagement ring safe by removing it when sleeping, cleaning, or exercising, while still wearing your wedding band at all times.

However, you may prefer to wear your engagement ring on top, either because you like the way it looks or for sentimental reasons. Some people feel that wearing the wedding band on the bottom keeps it closer to the heart, symbolically and literally. Additionally, if your engagement ring is thinner and looser, wearing the wedding band on top can help to anchor it and prevent it from spinning or slipping off.

You can also choose to wear your engagement and wedding rings on separate hands, especially if you have shorter fingers or prefer not to stack multiple rings on one finger.

On a different finger to the engagement ring

There are many ways to wear your wedding band and engagement ring, and it is ultimately up to you how you choose to wear them. You might want to wear them on separate hands, for example, if you don't have a matching set or prefer not to stack multiple rings on one finger. This is a common choice for those with shorter fingers.

Wearing your wedding band and engagement ring on different hands is also a good option if you want to display your engagement ring by itself. This could be because your wedding band doesn't look good with the engagement ring, or because your engagement ring is so stunning that it deserves to be shown off on its own.

You could also choose to wear your wedding band on a daily basis and only wear your engagement ring on special occasions. This might be because your engagement ring is very expensive, or you might simply find it easier to wear one ring at a time.

In some countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, it is more common to wear the engagement ring on the right hand and the wedding band on the left.

Not at all

If you're choosing not to wear your wedding band at all, there are a few options for keeping it safe. You could ask a trusted loved one to hold onto it for you on your wedding day, such as your maid of honour or best man, or your mother or partner's mother. You could also keep it in a safe place, perhaps alongside your engagement ring if you're choosing not to wear that either.

If you're choosing not to wear your wedding band on your finger at all, you could consider wearing it on a chain around your neck, or you could display it in your home, perhaps alongside your engagement ring and/or wedding certificate. You could also consider getting it fused together with your engagement ring to make a single piece of jewellery that you could wear on special occasions, or not at all.

If you're choosing not to wear your wedding band on your ring finger, you could wear it on another finger on the same hand, or on the ring finger of your other hand. You could also choose to wear it on a different hand altogether, or not at all.

Ultimately, it's up to you whether you wear your wedding band, and if so, where you wear it.

Frequently asked questions