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If you feel out of your element planning your wedding, you’re not alone. One of the toughest decisions many couples face is picking out their rings. There’s a whole new vocabulary to learn – carats, settings, gemstones.
One distinction that may trip you up is the difference between a wedding ring and a wedding band. Though the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some distinctions you should be aware of.
At Steven G Designs, we’re here to help you sort through it all. Let’s get started!
Rings and bands have a long history reaching all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. In the classical Greco-Roman world, a ring would be given to a bride to indicate that her family had paid the dowry.
A Roman wife would often have a fancy wedding ring inlaid with jewels to display her wealth out in public. But when she was back home doing household chores, she’d switch to a simple iron band. So, the “trend” of having a different band for hands-on work is actually 2,000 years old!
Wedding rings, at least in Western culture, were once primarily for women. This changed during WWII – men began wearing rings to remember their wives back home. The tradition has stuck ever since.
Wedding bands tend to be thicker, wider, and more durable than wedding rings. They are typically made of metal, though you can also find ceramic, wooden, and even silicone bands.
Bands come in a lot of different metals, including gold, silver, and platinum. More recently, tungsten bands have become popular thanks to its affordability and durability.
A wedding band can feature an inlay of a different metal or material, and it can also feature small gemstones set inside. Most bands are wide enough to allow for engraving, as well. You can get an engraving on the outside of the ring as decoration or inscribe a special message on the inside of the band.
Bands are the traditional choice for what the bride and groom give each other at the wedding, at least in the US. The bride traditionally wears both her wedding band and her engagement ring, while the groom just wears a band. Often, women’s wedding bands have been designed to complement the typically flashier engagement ring.
Wedding rings, on the other hand, are generally thinner and more delicate. They also tend to feature one or several gemstones prominently. The most common example would be the traditional diamond engagement ring.
Rings are more expensive than bands – they’re more likely to use precious metals and expensive jewels. Still, there are certainly affordable options out there if you shop around.
The ring market has been geared towards women’s engagement rings traditionally, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from choosing a ring that fits them for their special day.
So, what do you want for your wedding? It helps to compare bands and rings.
Ultimately, the choice of a ring or band is up to you! Don’t feel bound to any old-school traditions or what a celebrity wears – your wedding ring should reflect who you are and what your marriage means.
The traditional finger for wearing engagement and wedding rings is the fourth finger (ring finger) of the left hand. Ancient Romans believed the vein from that finger ran directly to the heart and that belief persisted well into the Middle Ages. Couples wore rings on that finger to show their love for one another.
Of course, we now know that there’s nothing special about the blood flow to the ring finger. Still, it’s the traditional place to wear rings.
This tradition isn’t universal, though. In Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, rings are worn on the fourth finger of the right hand. There’s no right or wrong answer about where you wear your wedding ring.
Women traditionally wear the wedding band closest to the body, with the engagement ring on the outside as a metaphorical guard. Again, you shouldn’t feel beholden to wedding traditions unless they mean something to you and your future spouse.
Whether you go for a ring or a band, you should consider a few things before you make a purchase:
The choice of a wedding band is the choice of a lifetime – shop around and take your time to find a ring that truly speaks to you.
Whether you choose a band or a ring to honor your marriage, it’s important to think about your budget, aesthetics, and lifestyle. Give yourself plenty of time to choose the right ones for you and your future spouse.
If you’re interested in checking out affordable and durable tungsten bands, be sure to check out our collection at Steven G Designs.
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