The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring
Looking for the perfect wedding ring? This guide will get you started.
Choosing a right wedding ring sounds simple – until you actually have to do it. There are so many wedding band ideas out there, but how can you choose the perfect one for you and your partner? You’ll both be wearing your rings for years to come, so it’s important to make sure they’re just right.
In this wedding band guide, we’ll give you the essential tips so you can pick the perfect rings for you both. Keep reading to make plans for the big day just a little bit easier.
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Narrow Down the Selection
There’s no shortage of wedding band style. However, if you keep sorting through every different style on the market, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed. Your first step should be to narrow down your choices.
If this process seems like too much, just narrow it down by one trait at a time.
- Do you want a gold ring or a platinum one?
- Gemstones or diamonds?
- Traditional or non-traditional?
You can start by considering the style. Deciding between a simple ring or an embellished one goes a long way toward narrowing things down.
- Do you want your engagement and wedding rings to match, or would you prefer contrasting metals?
- Do you want your ring to match with your partner’s?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll feel much less overwhelmed by the wedding band ideas you see.
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Look at What You Already Have
If you’re having a hard time figuring out your preferences, you might want to look to the jewelry you already have for inspiration.
For example, if you’ve looked at engraved promise rings for him before, the style you chose can guide you in your wedding ring choice. If you have a watch that you wear every day, it probably shows your personal style. The perfect wedding ring should fit nicely with your style personality.
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Buy Your Engagement Band and Wedding Ring Together
If you want the engagement ring as a surprise, you might not buy your rings together. However, picking bands that go well together can help make the selection process much easier.
For example, if you have a creative engagement ring, a simple wedding band can set it off nicely. However, if you have a simple engagement ring, you might want to add more sparkle to the wedding brand.
You’ll also want to think about how your rings will fit together if you plan to wear both at once. You can find a set of rings that have a shadow or contour band that will interlock nicely. However, if you’re going to wear the wedding ring on its own, make sure you like the style on its own.
Your jeweler can help you pick two bands that’ll work nicely together, or even make both rings at once.
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Start Looking Early
If you wait until the last minute to find the perfect wedding ring, you’ll only add to the stress of wedding planning. Don’t wait – once you have an idea of what you want, start trying rings on.
You should leave at least three months, if not more, for ring shopping before the wedding date. This will give you plenty of time to shop around, check prices, and compare your favorites. If you want a custom ring, you’ll need to give yourself more time than that.
Even for minor customizations, like engraving, you’ll need to leave an extra month or so.
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Mix and Match
If you and your partner have different metal preferences, don’t worry. You don’t have to choose matching metals. In fact, your ring styles can be totally different.
If you want to compromise on metal styles, look for braided bands that incorporate more than one metal. However, mismatching completely is fine, as long as you and your partner both love your rings. This can be a good chance for you to both express your individual styles!
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Work With a Budget
One of the most important things you can do when shopping for the perfect wedding ring is to set a budget. Trust us – you’ll be glad you did!
Most of the time, people plan to spend about three percent of the total wedding budget on the wedding rings. Simple bands tend to run about $1,000. The more elaborate or customized the band, the more it’ll cost.
If you want an engraved band, keep in mind that it’ll be priced based on the characters, font, and whether it’s hand or machine-engraved.
Setting a budget helps you narrow down your choices, because some things will simply be out of range. It’s better to know your budget ahead of time than to get your heart set on a ring that it turns out you can’t afford.
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Consider Your Lifestyle
Your wedding band will be worn on a daily basis.
- Will the one you choose fit well with your lifestyle?
If you’re into sports and outdoor activities, you’ll probably want to wear a slim ring with round edges that won’t catch on anything. If you do a lot of work with your hands, you might not want to wear something with gemstones that can come out. Platinum is one of the most durable metals for active lifestyles.
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Get Creative
Even once you’ve decided what wedding band style you prefer, it doesn’t hurt to try a few unexpected things on.
When you’re at the store, try on some rings that you like, but which don’t fit with the style you had in mind. The jeweler might be able to make some great suggestions that would never have crossed your mind. When you try things on, make sure to write and text a bit to test out the comfort.
Ready to Pick the Perfect Wedding Ring?
The perfect wedding ring for you might be just what you had in mind, or something totally unexpected. What’s important is that you enjoy the process of choosing it!
Of course, picking a wedding band style comes at the end of a long, romantic process. If you’re just dating right now, be sure to check out our first date tips for women here.
It does make sense to seek out a wedding ring that comes with the right gemstones and shapes for your everyday use. My friend is interested in marrying his girlfriend soon but is unsure of which ring to get. I will talk to him about visiting a reputable jeweler for advice so that he can avoid mistakes.