There’s so much talk about engagement rings that sometimes, wedding rings don’t seem to get the attention that they deserve. After all, a wedding ring will be worn every single day for the rest of your life! It signifies the greatest commitment that you have made and is an enduring visible symbol of your marriage. 

Throughout history, wedding rings have symbolised love, loyalty and faithfulness. This tradition springs from ancient times and is widely found in almost every culture. Wedding rings are often considered a sacred piece of jewellery that is highly valued.

When buying a wedding ring, the approach is quite different from an engagement ring. Most couples buy their wedding ring together and there is no element of surprise attached to this. It is a sensible, practical decision that is made by both parties. 

What’s more, often it is the most important piece of jewellery that you both will buy together and is an exhibition of your love, style, personality and values. If you are planning on getting one, visit here.

In this article, we focus on how to choose your wedding ring.

Start Early

Many couples make the mistake of waiting too late to purchase their wedding rings. They overlook production times and don’t give themselves enough time to have their ring completed.

Generally, allow about a 3-4 weeks to have your rings sized and ready.

If you are having your wedding rings custom made, allow even more time. Certain styles can take longer, and retailers may require about 3-6 weeks to custom make your wedding bands.

Choose Your Budget

Choosing your budget at the start can help you decide on your rings and not get side-tracked when shopping. It is generally recommended to set aside about 3% to 5% of your total wedding budget for your wedding rings.

To make your budget stretch, you can play around with the ring metal and styles. For example, choose a half eternity rather than a full eternity band as it will cost less yet won’t make a big difference to the appearance of your ring. Another example would be to choose white gold over platinum, as they both look very similar but white gold is more affordable.

For example, let’s compare the following two rings. This is a half eternity prong-set wedding band, while this is a full eternity band. Both are made of 14k white gold. The half eternity holds the equivalent of .30 carats of diamonds while the full eternity has diamonds equivalent to .75 carats. 

There are other small differences in terms of clarity and colour, but the two bands look very similar in terms of quality and beauty. The price difference? Almost a thousand dollars!

Big brand names and designer rings can also add a considerable mark-up to the overall price of the ring. Remember that a wedding ring is a classic piece of jewellery and whether you purchase it at a big brand store or the local jeweller’s, there won’t be a huge difference in the look but there definitely will be a difference in the price!

Consider Your Lifestyle

While this may seem like an obvious point, many people forget to remember that the wedding ring they choose should suit their lifestyle. Considering that this is a piece of jewellery that you will wear every day for a lifetime, it must fit your lifestyle to ensure that it lasts a lifetime.

The ring you buy should be stylish but also practical. For example, if you have a very active, outdoorsy lifestyle or are exposed to lots of chemicals, your ring should be tough enough to withstand that sort of exposure. 

Take this into consideration when deciding on your metal and style and make sure you check this with your jeweller before you buy.

Choose Your Metal

The typical metal for wedding rings has been gold, although today you can purchase your ring in a variety of different metals. For a matched look, it is a good idea for the bride and groom to choose the same metal. While the styles can be different, having the same metal gives the two rings a subtle yet beautiful connection.

Having said that, some brides and grooms prefer different metals to suit their tastes. For example, rose gold is a feminine soft colour and is perfect for a bride, whereas the groom might wish for something sturdier and more masculine. This is fine as well.

Most brides prefer to choose a metal to match their engagement ring. This ensures that the two rings always work together and not against each other.