Wedding Ring 101...
Choosing a wedding band is really exciting. It's the next step along your wedding journey and can be a really fun process. There are a few things to consider and we're here to help simplify it.
Here are ten crucial questions to ask yourself when choosing a wedding band:
1. Will I wear the wedding band without my engagement ring?
Some people don't always want to wear their engagement ring and therefore would like a wedding band that has some solo impact.
Opting for diamonds, coloured stones or a chunkier design can help make the ring a stand-alone piece that you happily wear on its own.
Conversely, if you opt for a fitted or shaped wedding band be aware that this may look strange without the engagement ring next to it. Make sure if they are designed as a set that they still work as separate pieces if this is important to you.
Ring by Michelle Oh
2. Do I want the wedding band to add drama to my engagement ring?
Particularly with simpler engagement ring designs, for example a chic solitaire on a plain band, it can be fun to add some extra design or stones into your wedding band.
Most wedding ring styles work with a solitaire engagement ring, so you can use it as an opportunity to get creative and up the drama...
Ring by Michelle Oh
3. Do wedding bands need to be fitted?
There are two main camps when it comes to fitted wedding bands - do you want your wedding ring to fit exactly around the engagement ring silhouette, or sit alongside it without touching?
We personally don't think wedding bands need to be shaped to sit perfectly against an engagement ring. Having a wed-fit engagement ring helps this dilemma - wed-fit means the stones on the engagement ring sit higher so the wedding ring can fit underneath the stone(s) perfectly.
However a more casual look is an unfitted style, and also means you can wear the wedding ring on its own without it looking strange.
An example of the casual unfitted stack by Rachel Boston:
Rings by Rachel Boston
4. What shape wedding band should I choose?
If you don't have a wed-fit engagement ring and don't want a straight band stack like above which leaves a gap between the two rings, you still have a variety of options - a band designed exactly around the engagement ring, a curved band, or to wear a wedding ring on another finger.
Ring by Hattie Rickards
5. What is the downside of a fitted wedding band?
Whilst a fitted band can look great when stacked with an engagement ring they are often a particular shape and don't work so well when worn on their own - this means that if you ever want to wear your band without your engagement ring (on holiday for example) it might look a little odd. A wedding band with a slight curve can be a good solution if this works with your engagement ring as these still work on their own.
Ring by Laura Vann
6. Can wedding bands have gemstones?
Of course you can go for a classic diamond wedding band, but if you're after a pop of colour this can be a great way to incorporate it.
Just be mindful that other gemstones are not as hard, we'd always recommend a half eternity to reduce the chances of broken stones.
Ring by Hattie Rickards
7. What's better, a half or full eternity ring?
A full eternity is full of meaning - the ring of stones representing lasting love - but there are some more practical things to consider when thinking about an eternity ring
As discussed already, if you want gemstones we'd always recommend a half eternity to reduce the chances of stones getting knocked or broken.
If you're opting for a diamond eternity it is also good to think about how much you use your hands - lifting weights at the gym for example can damage the stones on the underside of a ring. A good compromise can be a 2/3 eternity, where the stones fill 2/3 of the whole ring and only the underside is left plain. This part can be easily repolished when scratches appear.
To be safe, we always recommend taking off your jewellery before heading to the gym!
Ring by Michelle Oh
8. What metal should a wedding band be?
We would always advise choosing a wedding ring in the same metal as your engagement ring. Whilst never mixing platinum and gold is not a strict rule, the two metals have different levels of hardness, which can lead to the gold band potentially wearing away faster or getting scratched more easily when in contact with the platinum ring.
18k yellow gold is hard, but scratches do appear, and be aware that your wedding ring can be scratched by the diamonds on your engagement ring.
Ring by Rachel Boston
9. Should I engrave my wedding band?
Engraving is one of the most popular ways to personalise a wedding band.
Whether you engrave a secret message, the date of your wedding or even the coordinates of your venue, an engraving can really add a personal touch.
Ring by Hattie Rickards
10. Do wedding bands need to match?
For some couples this is a big consideration, others not so much.
You can go as subtle or bold with this as you'd like - from choosing the same metal, the same design, or even the same engraving inside.
Plainer bands are easier to match, but tiny details such as hidden engraving or meaningful gemstones set on the inside are nice sentimental touches that link the two bands together.
Ring by Michelle Oh
Discover our edit of unique wedding bands here: