If you’re reading this post, you’re probably either engaged or about to be engaged— congratulations! The time between your engagement and your wedding is a special period in your life. It’s a time to bask in the glow of your impending marriage and, of course, plan for your wedding. One of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is choosing your wedding rings. But with so many wedding ring options, how do you know which to choose? Read on to learn everything you need to know about choosing your wedding ring!
You Don’t Have To Match (But You Can)
A classic metal band is a common option for couples who decide to match their wedding bands.
When you’re shopping for your wedding rings, you have two rings to find. While you can choose a matching set, you should know that it’s actually much more common today for the bride and groom to choose separate designs. There’s no right or wrong choice here, you can choose a set or go with different styles— choose what’s right for you. But you should decide this early so you know whether you’re searching for one or two designs.
Pick Your Style
This classic, yet glamorous, wedding ring style features a row of stunning princess cut diamonds.
Once you know whether you’re looking for one or two wedding band styles, it’s time to move on to picking your style(s). If you’re going to match, you will likely want to pic a more simple style. But if you’re going to choose separate styles, you can choose whatever each of you likes the most.
This brick patterned men’s wedding band is a unique and modern option.
There are many different styles of wedding rings. There are simple classic rings, sleek modern options, ornate vintage designs, and glamorous diamond studded rings.
This vintage-style wedding band is elegant and romantic.
Do a little browsing and see what you’re drawn to the most. Do you want something simple? Something eye-catching? Something that will complement your engagement ring? Once you know what you’re most interested, you can start narrowing in on the exact ring that’s right for you.
Budget
A wedding ring without diamonds, like this swirling rose gold design, is an affordable, yet still beautiful option.
Just like when shopping for an engagement ring, it’s a good idea to have a budget in mind before you shop. Wedding rings have a wide price range, with simple metal bands at the lower end and diamond or gemstone bands on the upper end (more, larger, or higher quality gemstones will increase your price). Also, different precious metals can affect a ring’s price, as platinum and 18k karat gold are more expensive materials than 14k gold.
14k white gold, used here in this intricate diamond set wedding ring, gives a similar look to platinum, but at a more budget-friendly price.
There’s no rule on how much you need to spend on your wedding bands. Just consider what the style you’re interested in usually costs and how much you want to spend, then decide on a budget that’s right for you as a couple.
Find the Right Precious Metal For You
A yellow gold wedding band is a traditional precious metal option.
Wedding bands come in many different precious metals, like platinum, yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. When choosing your precious metal, you’ll want to consider two things: style and your lifestyle. Different precious metals can drastically change up the style of a ring. For example, yellow gold is has a classic look and platinum is quite modern. So, know that your choice of precious metal will have an effect on the style of your ring.
This tungsten carbide wedding band is durable and sleek.
However, for many people, considering lifestyle is also important. Why does this matter when choosing a precious metal? Certain metals are more durable than others. If you’re a highly active person, you might want to consider choosing a ring made of stronger materials, like platinum or tungsten carbide. Or, if you have your heart set on a gold ring, go with 14k gold instead of 18k gold, as 14k gold is more durable. Of course, if you know you’ll be careful when wearing your ring, you can choose your precious metal solely based on style. All precious metals are durable (even 18k gold), some are just more so than others.