No matter the style of wedding you’re planning, whether it’s a private affair with you and your partner and one witness or it’s a big celebration with everyone you know and love, you’re likely in the market for a set of wedding rings. Wedding rings are something that, ideally, you and your partner are going to wear for the rest of your lives,
so you want to be sure that you get something that you’re both going to like. The following will explore a few wedding ring shopping rules to help make the process easier and smoother for both of you. You’re planning a wedding, and that means you’ve likely got a lot on your plate.
Anything that can be made easier needs to be made easier.
What’s The Difference Between Wedding Rings And Engagement Rings?
Engagement rings tend to be given during a proposal. In most cases, only one person within the couple will have an engagement ring seeing as the other one was the one to propose and present the ring. The traditional engagement ring is a diamond ring, but of course, people can choose whatever type of ring they want.
In contrast, wedding rings are the rings a couple presents to each other during the wedding ceremony, often while taking vows that imply that the ring symbolizes their vows of loving one another for the remainder of their lives. Wedding rings are therefore often a pair set of matching rings, traditionally gold or silver bands, but, again, people are free to choose whatever they want for their wedding rings.
Set A Budget
Like so much else in wedding planning, setting a budget is a great idea. It’s all too easy to get swept up into a frenzy and end up paying far more than you were intending. Set a budget and keep each other to it. A wedding ring is going to lose its charm if every time you look at it, you think of your credit card bill that’s accruing interest.
This being said, you don’t want to set such a small budget that you choose something that tarnishes or changes colour (the band or your finger). You want something that is a good quality metal that can handle the chaos of your life; the seasons, water, wind, pregnancy, swelling, sweat, exercise and any other events you might face.
Choose Together
This doesn’t mean that you have to choose the same ring for you and your partner, but it does mean that you shouldn’t choose something for someone else without sharing the option with them. Again, this is something you both are going to wear for the rest of your lives. You both should like what you get and so make the decisions together.
This is also the point where you can discuss other people’s expectations, like your parents’ desire for you to have family heirloom rings or traditional rings and decide together to work within other people’s expectations or ignore them. (Yes, you’re allowed to not do what your parents or your partner’s parents want).
Acknowledge Trends But Don’t Necessarily Commit To Them
Trends are a big part of the wedding industry, and that makes sense. People want to do something a little different than the weddings they attended last year and so tweak things and end up with something new. Pay attention to the trends for wedding rings, but feel free to ignore them if you want. A trendy wedding ring might well date you later on. Some people find this charming. Others don’t. If you or your partner are someone who doesn’t like to reveal their age, avoiding the trends might be in your best interest.
Get Them Sized
No matter what rings you choose, you’re going to want to get them sized. Remember, you’re probably going to keep this ring on for the rest of your life, which means you want a proper fit. If it’s sliding off or is too tight to be comfortable,
you’re going to find it irritating. If you live somewhere where you need gloves in the winter, you want them to be able to fit within your gloves. It needs to stay snug and secure through work, sleep, cleaning, and daily life.
The above tips should help you select wedding rings that you and your partner both love and are happy to wear for the remainder of your days. It might also be good to ask the manufacturer for cleaning and care instructions as often jewelry needs a little maintenance from time to time.