On top, an engagement ring? On top, a wedding ring? We agree that it is perplexing. However, it's crucial to follow your particular style when it comes to the "proper" method of wearing your wedding band.
Because it's meant to be a symbol of your devotion to one another, a wedding band is often worn on the left ring finger, which is closest to the heart. However, as people's preferences and fashions have changed, this trend has also changed. In terms of romantic accessorising, a wedding ring is akin to a collaborative endeavour. Although the wedding bands of spouses frequently resemble one another, it is no longer necessary for these two rings to be the same.
As modern designs have inspired this traditional piece of bridal jewellery, partners combine precious metals, designs, width, and more to create unique rings to symbolise their connection. The look and feel of the wedding bands are entirely dependent on the individual who purchases them.
These rings are frequently exchanged during the marriage ceremony, usually right after the couple has exchanged vows in front of the officiant. A wedding ring is often worn daily for the remainder of the wearer's life once it is put on the hand. It might be temporarily removed or improved at a milestone anniversary to ensure worker safety when doing manual labour.
The challenge is how to wear them now that you are married and have your wedding band and engagement ring. Should you wear them both on your left hand's ring finger? Which side of the engagement ring should you wear? Or perhaps you ought to wear them on two distinct fingers at once? Here are some instructions on how to put on wedding rings.
Here are some common customs for wearing a wedding ring set as guidance.
When And How To Change Your Wedding Ring
The wedding band is traditionally worn "closest to the heart," or below the engagement ring, on the left ring finger. Before walking down the aisle, many brides may swap their engagement ring to their right hand so that the wedding band can be placed on the left hand first. After the ceremony, the bride will place her engagement ring on top of her wedding band. It is a popular post-ceremony choice to have the engagement and wedding rings welded together.
Some ladies may wear their wedding band daily and save their engagement ring for special occasions if their occupation requires them to use their hands frequently. It's normal practice to do this when going on a trip or anytime there's a chance of losing or ruining a diamond ring. However, it is ultimately your decision as to whether or not to display your rings.
Is Wearing One Ring an Option?
Yes, wearing only one ring between the engagement ring and the wedding band is acceptable. People like to stick with their wedding band rather than their engagement ring because wedding bands are more long-lasting and don't feature bulky stone settings. However, the choice to wear a single ring might be motivated by more than just aesthetics.
- Using one's hand when two rings are on it can be awkward, especially if one's fingers are on the shorter side.
- Given that you tend to be careless with your rings, this will be one less thing you have to fret over on a daily basis.
- The rings don't go together in colour, shape, or design, making them look forced and unnatural when worn all at once.
- You don't have the motivation to accomplish it.
The simple fact that you don't want to wear both rings is an acceptable excuse. One can wear one, two, or even more rings from a wedding band set; there is no right or wrong way to do so. Ultimately, it's up to you and your partner to decide how to best showcase the love and commitment symbolised by your wedding rings.
Does The Placement Of the Rings Matter?
One other thing you could be wondering is whether or not the order of the rings matters when being worn.
However, if you want a longer answer, you can read on. The practicality of having your rings in a specific order is illustrated by the fact that it can be a pain to constantly take them on and off if you lead a busy lifestyle. Instead, put on the ring you plan to wear every day after you put on the ring you normally wear every day. That way, if you need to do so, taking off the second ring is a breeze. A wedding ring set can be worn in various ways, and the person wearing it will choose the right one.
Wearing the rings in the sequence you acquired them is a sweet way always to be reminded of the progression of your love story. As such, the engagement ring will be worn before the wedding band.
Tips for Wearing Wedding Rings
It may not seem like much of a challenge to make sure your ring is displayed beautifully, is safe from harm, and can be quickly removed if necessary, but there are quite a few tricks to the trade.
Sizing: Pick a wedding ring size that you won't have any trouble taking off, as freeing a trapped ring when there's no other ring to use as a lever can be challenging. Therefore, the wedding band may end up being a tad bigger than the engagement ring.
Placement: If your engagement ring is too big or too loose, you can secure it by wearing your wedding band outside of it. If your engagement ring is too small, you can wear your wedding band inside.
Customs: Wedding ring protocol should take into account regional, cultural, and religious norms. For example, in many eastern European cultures, the right hand is the prefered location for a wedding ring.
Curved rings: To maximise the diamond's brilliance, wear a curved wedding band inside your engagement ring.
Rings with large stones: Put the wedding band on the outside of the finger and the engagement ring on the inside. It would look even better with a smaller diamond set inside.
FAQs About Wedding
Your wedding band and engagement ring should be worn on different hands. You can wear your wedding ring on the ring finger on your right hand and your engagement ring on the other finger, or you can wear them in the opposite order. Although this is a less conventional choice, there are a lot of compelling arguments in favour of wearing your rings in this manner.
Advice on How to Wear Your Wedding and Engagement Ring
Let's dissect it... The distinction between engagement and wedding rings must first be understood. Although the names are frequently used interchangeably, each ring denotes an entirely different object. A wedding ring is typically presented when a proposal is made, and an engagement ring is given at the time. Additionally, there are distinctions between the two in terms of design, positioning, and price. An engagement ring typically has a "centre stone" and is more expensive than a wedding ring, which is typically made of a plain band or a lot of smaller diamonds all the way around.
In Western societies, engagement and wedding rings are worn on the left hand's ring finger. This is the proper method for wearing a wedding ring set. This originates in prehistoric times when people thought the vein leading straight to the heart was located in the left ring finger. It's ultimately up to you which finger each ring is worn on. However, historically, most people have come to associate an engagement or marriage with a ring on the left finger.
Rings On The Left Hand
It is believed that this tradition originated with the Ancient Egyptians, who hypothesised the existence of a vein connecting the left ring finger to the heart was possibly the most popular way to wear them. You can ensure that your wedding band is as close to your heart as possible by wearing it on the inside. This habit of wearing rings on the left hand belongs to some cultures.
Ancient Romans believed that the vein in your left ring finger was directly connected to your heart and used rings as a symbol of ownership. Essentially, wearing someone's ring on your left ring finger indicated that they were the owner of your heart.
Rings on the Right Hand
How you're expected to display your wedding band may depend on where you live or the cultural norms you're accustomed to. For example, many Northern and Eastern European countries, including Russia, Poland, and Denmark, have shifted from the Western tradition of wearing wedding bands on the left to the right. It is also widely used in Greece, Spain, and Portugal, in addition to India. Additionally, certain nations, such as Brazil, have a tradition where the bride and groom each wear wedding bands on the one hand and then switch hands once the vows have been exchanged.
Northern and Eastern European countries, including Poland, Russia, and Denmark, traditionally place wedding bands on the right hand. This holds for Greeks and Indians as well. For example, when exchanging vows, the bride and groom in Brazil traditionally switch wedding bands from right to left.
Wedding Ring First, Engagement Ring on Top
When a lady wears her wedding and engagement rings together, the wedding band goes on the finger before the engagement ring. Some rings, such as engagement rings that come as part of a bridal set, are meant to be worn together and look unfinished if worn alone.
If, on the other hand, the rings are fused to form a single unit, the band closest to the hand will not be as noticeable. If the rings are separate, the wedding band should be closer to the hand so that the engagement ring may be removed quickly in case of an accident while gardening, working out, or doing other potentially hazardous activities.
The wedding band and the engagement ring are often worn together on the same finger. In this situation, the engagement ring goes on after the wedding band. How should you style your engagement ring and wedding band when it comes to the big day? If you choose this path, take off your engagement ring ahead of time to avoid any embarrassment or loss at the altar. Put it in your right hand or hide it somewhere really secure. Then, after the ceremony, you can either re-wear your sparkler to the reception or take some time to appreciate your new band.
Engagement Ring First, Wedding Ring on Top
The other common option is to wear them backwards. Although Ratajkowski got her engagement ring second and still wears it that way, it makes sense to wear your rings in the order you received them. You may find meaning in the symbolic idea that your engagement ring represents a promise and your wedding band crystallises that pledge.
When you wear your wedding band as an outer ring, it serves as a symbolic bookend to your engagement story: first, you're engaged; now, it's official; time to start stacking with anniversary rings.
One Ring Is An Engagement Ring, While The Other Is An Engagement Ring.
You can try this if your wedding band does not go with your engagement ring. Some people switch the engagement and wedding rings around, while others like to wear both on the same finger.
Those who don't have a matching set or who don't like how the rings sit together on one finger may appreciate this non-traditional option. It's also a good choice for people who don't like to wear multiple rings at once. Couples in countries like Germany and the Netherlands commonly wear engagement rings on the right hand and wedding bands on the left.
Alternate Rings
There are no hard and fast rules about how to wear wedding bands. No one has ever insisted that you pair them together. Some people wear their engagement rings on special occasions, whereas they wear their wedding bands daily. However, there are many who want to stick with just their glistening engagement rings after being married.
While the majority of women do wear both rings, others do not. Perhaps this is due to the fact that one ring is quite pricey and is reserved for very special occasions. Another possibility is that some women find it overwhelming to wear two rings at once, preferring to stick to the more practical practice of rotating between just one or none.
Last but not least, there is no rule that states you must wear both rings at the same time on your wedding day. Because wedding rings are more long-lasting and functional, some people wear them more frequently. For example, they'll wear their engagement rings when it's time to celebrate a major event. However, there are many who only wear their wedding band on special occasions and never take off their engagement ring.
Wearing Mismatched Wedding Rings
With the passage of time, a wedding ring may become too big or too small to be worn comfortably. However, even if the ring cannot be resized, it may still be worn. The following are some suggestions:
- Put the ring on your pinky finger. Depending on the size of your ring, the corresponding finger on your other hand can be a better fit.
- Wear it as a pendant near your heart by stringing it on a matching chain.
- Replace the old jewellery with a more modern piece that showcases diamonds or gemstones.
When To Remove Wedding Rings
Some situations call for forgoing the use of a wedding band altogether. The wedding band, like the engagement ring, should be taken off before engaging in any activity that can cause damage to the metal or gemstones. For example, water can cause fingernails to become more brittle. Therefore it's best to avoid wearing loose rings while swimming or bathing.
Sometimes, the decision to stop wearing a wedding band becomes necessary. For example, when a marriage ends in divorce, the ring is often taken off one spouse's finger. It is up to the discretion of the surviving spouse to decide whether or not to remove the wedding ring after a period of grieving. Therefore neither should feel pressured into doing so.
Interested in knowing more about wedding and engagement rings, which symbolise your commitment and love for your partner, but how you wear them is up to you? Temple and Grace's jewellery experts are here to answer any questions you may have.