Getting married is an exciting step for any couple. Whether you just got engaged or your wedding day is almost here, there’s a lot to think about. Choosing the perfect wedding ring is just one of the big decisions you’ll need to make between now and your wedding day.
Wedding rings date all the way back to Ancient Egypt and are a symbol of a couple’s eternal love for and commitment to each other. The rings are exchanged at a key part of the wedding ceremony, after you have both said your vows and before the pronouncement when your officiant declares you to be married. A wedding ring is also something that most people will wear every day for the rest of their lives, so choosing the perfect ring is vital!
Set a Budget
One of the major factors when choosing your perfect wedding ring is budget. It’s important to decide on your budget early on, ideally before you start wedding ring shopping, to avoid falling in love with a ring that you can’t afford.
Unlike engagement rings, which are typically chosen and paid for by the person making the proposal, there are no set rules about who should pay for the wedding rings and most couples will split the cost equally or come to an arrangement that suits them.
In the UK, wedding rings can cost anything from under £100 for a single plain band to several thousands of pounds for more elaborate, diamond wedding rings. It’s also important to remember that unlike an engagement ring, you will need to budget for two wedding rings!
Incorporate Your Personal Style
You’ll be wearing your wedding ring every day so it’s important that it reflects your personal style. Many people will have a preference about whether they want their wedding ring to be made of gold or silver, depending on what jewellery they would typically wear and which metal best suits their skin tone. Generally speaking, warmer skin tones suit yellow-gold jewellery whereas cool skin tones suit silver or white-gold.
You should also factor your engagement ring into your decision making. If you plan to wear them together, you will want your wedding band to complement your engagement ring and sit comfortably next to it on your ring finger.
Shop Together
Most couples will choose to shop for their wedding rings together so they can decide what’s important to them. For example, do you want your wedding rings to match? Or are you happy for them to reflect your different personal styles? Do you want them to be plain or set with diamonds? Do you want to have your wedding rings engraved with personal details or a special message before the big day?
Ideally, you should start your wedding ring shopping around three months before your big day. This will give you plenty of time to check your ring sizes, find wedding rings that you both love and to ensure that the rings are comfortable to wear. If your rings are too tight or too loose then you may need to get them resized at a reputable jewellers, bearing in mind that this will come at an extra cost and that not all wedding rings can be resized.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Typically wedding rings are made from gold or silver but they can also be made from other precious metals such as white gold, rose gold and platinum. Other, modern alternatives include titanium and tungsten, which are incredibly strong and lightweight metals and a popular choice for mens’ wedding rings.
Your lifestyle will play a major factor in what wedding ring is right for you. For example, if you work outdoors, or doing manual labour, then a durable ring with non-scratch properties, such as titanium, will be a better option than softer metals like platinum or gold. Similarly, some workplaces don’t allow jewellery with stones, for example if you work in healthcare, so this may be a factor in your decision-making. You may also need to consider any skin sensitives, allergies or sensory issues when it comes to choosing the perfect wedding ring.