With This Ring, I Thee Wed

Along with the wedding gown, the entourage, the wedding cake and the reception - the wedding band has become one of the most important elements in a wedding.

The traditional wedding band or wedding ring is worn to symbolize a man and a woman's commitment to each other. This can be worn by the wife, or both husband and wife - usually on the left ring finger.

A wedding band symbolizes a couple’s commitment to each other and it also mainly signifies marriage.

In the course of a couple’s getting-to-know-each-other stage, a promise ring could be given to the woman once the relationship takes on a more serious note. Then, an engagement ring - which is more popularly known than the promise ring – is given to the woman once the engagement becomes official. After the engagement comes the wedding ring once the couple legally gets married.

Furthermore, an eternity ring can be given to the wife to signify the everlasting nature of marriage. This can be given after a year or so into the marriage, or once the first child is born. Finally, there is the trilogy ring which symbolizes the past relationship, the present state of a couple being married, as well as the future of the couple as a family.

“Wedding band materials”

Gold is the most widely used material when making wedding rings. White gold may also be used for those who prefer a white rather than yellowish hue on their finger. Recently, more uncommon materials have been used by jewelers to make wedding rings: platinum, titanium, nickel silver, and stainless steel.

A plain gold band is the most common design used. Through time, more intricate designs have been used in designing wedding rings. There are even those who have their names engraved on the back of the wedding band for a more personalized feel.

“Choosing your wedding band”

Choosing the wedding band, wedding cake and planning for every detail is the fun part when it comes to wedding preparations. As a couple, you should give ample time and consideration to choosing your wedding band because you both would have to wear it for the rest of your lives, and you need to make sure that your wedding ring is something that you can show off to people and wear with pride.

To choose the perfect wedding band, you can browse through different web sites to see pictures of wedding band designs. Once you find a design that you like, you can go to a local jeweler and ask if they have something similar. Make sure that if fits perfectly and check if the width of the ring looks good on your finger.

If the bride has an engagement ring, you can choose something similar in design. Some people prefer to wear the engagement ring below the wedding ring to somehow “seal” the engagement. Some wear their wedding bands below the engagement ring while others wear them on both the right and left hand. No matter how you choose to wear the engagement and wedding rings, the important thing is that they are worn with pride and pleasure.

To make the most out of wearing your wedding band, choose a material that would not leave an ugly tint on your finger after wearing it for a long time. Silver usually leaves a greenish tint when worn for a long time.

Another option is for you to trace the family history and see if there is a family heirloom that you can use as a wedding band.

It is said that wedding bands are worn on the ring finger because there is a vein that is connected directly to the heart. When choosing a wedding ring, pick one that you can proudly wear for the rest of your life, to symbolize your love and commitment for each other.

<< Previous Article || Next Article >>

Product Picks

Wedding - Videos