Preparing for your wedding is such a beautiful and exciting experience, and you pay great attention to all the details that will happen on that one special day. The same painstaking attention to detail should likewise be given to choosing your wedding rings, which you will be wearing every day for the rest of your lives. How should you choose the rings that symbolize your love and commitment to each other?
Here are tips you can follow in finding the perfect wedding ring.
Choose the metal you want for your wedding rings.
What metal do you prefer? Wedding rings are usually made out of gold or platinum. Gold usually comes in either its natural yellow, white, or rose. White gold takes on its natural yellowish tinge over time, but you may have it replated back to become white gold every few years. Platinum is naturally white and will stay white over the years. Select the metal that will match the metal and color of your engagement ring.
When choosing between gold and platinum, consider the difference in costs. Although gold and platinum have similar prices per gram, platinum is denser. Therefore, you need more platinum to make a ring. Moreover, rings made of platinum are often 95% pure platinum. On the other hand, 14k gold is made up of only 58.5% gold, and 18k gold is only 75% gold. These are why platinum wedding rings cost more.
Because platinum is denser, platinum wedding rings are heavier than gold rings. So, see what you are both comfortable with wearing every day. Another difference between the two metals is that platinum is hypoallergenic. There are people allergic to gold. This is another factor you have to consider.
In terms of durability, platinum is stronger than gold. Ironically, platinum is the softer metal of the two. So, platinum tends to get scratched a bit more easily than gold, but the scratches won’t affect the platinum. Scratches will affect gold.
If you do choose gold, select 14k gold over 18k gold. While 18k gold has more value, it is actually softer and will scratch more easily. Not only is 14k gold more affordable, but it is also more scratch-proof. Pretty good deal!
Decide together on the style you want for your wedding bands.
Go through jewelry catalogs as a couple and select several options before you make your final decision. Here are some details you need to decide on:
- Do you want plain wedding bands? Or do you prefer wedding rings that have a design?
- Do your wedding bands have to be identical? Or can you each choose the ring you want?
- Will both of your rings be made of the same metal and color?
Discussing these details before you go ring shopping will speed up the decision-making process for both of you.
Consider the design of your engagement ring when you choose your wedding rings.
If the engagement ring came as a surprise, then you may want to adjust your wedding ring preferences to complement the engagement ring. However, if you’re both involved in choosing the engagement ring, then you can already look at wedding rings that will match the engagement ring.
If the engagement ring is heavily studded with diamonds on the band, you may want to opt for classic plain wedding bands of the same metal as the engagement ring. However, if the engagement ring is a solitaire diamond, you may accentuate it by choosing a diamond-studded wedding band for the bride and a plain band for the groom.
Agree on a budget for wedding rings together.
How much are you both willing to spend on your wedding rings? Cost will actually be a major factor in the kind of rings you choose as well as the design. When deciding on your budget, consider that you’re buying jewelry that’s meant to last for a long time. A reasonable budget will surely get you a good pair of wedding rings for the long haul.
Be attentive when you choose your ring sizes.
After you tie the knot, you’ll be wearing your wedding bands daily. Many rarely remove their wedding rings. Your fingers expand when it’s hot and contract when it’s cold. Factor in the possibility as well of gaining or losing weight in the future.
The goal is for both of you to select the ring sizes that will be comfortable for you in the long run. Do your ring fittings at a time when you’re calm and relaxed and when your body temperature is at a normal range. It is best to go in the mid-morning or afternoon or when the weather is temperate and when you’re both generally relaxed. Doing this ensures your ring finger is at its most normal size.
Consider your other existing pieces of jewelry and accessories when you buy your wedding rings.
Are your other pieces of jewelry (or watches) mostly in white gold/platinum or yellow gold? You may want to wear wedding rings that go easily with most of your jewelry. Or once you’ve purchased your wedding rings, you may want to buy accessories based on the color and style of your wedding rings.
For example, purchasing a monogram necklace as a wedding gift to match your wedding ring is one lovely and very personalized idea. You may check out discounted custom necklace from Getnamenecklace for beautiful custom monogram jewelry that can be paired with your wedding jewelry.
Finding the perfect wedding rings is one big step towards getting everything just right for your big day. Spend the right amount of time in your search, and you will surely be rewarded with owning the best pair of wedding bands for both of you.
