Flashing Your Engagement Ring? The Wedding Band is Just as Essential

by Kerri Cooke

Once you’ve accepted a proposal and received an engagement ring—Jason Murphy of Nederland Jewelers says a yellow gold solitaire ring is most popular—it’s time to shop for wedding bands, especially if the engagement ring didn’t come as a set. Browsing styles together can be a great bonding activity for a couple as they consider their future life together and determine what piece of jewelry they want to wear every single day. It’s important that great consideration goes into making this choice as you will need to be happy with the ring for many years to come. 

When searching for a women’s wedding ring, it’s important to determine whether or not you’re going to be wearing both the engagement and wedding ring every day. If so, make sure to choose a style that enhances the appeal of both rings. You don’t want two rings with giant stones on the same finger. A pave band is a popular choice because the stones are small and they don’t take attention away from the statement engagement ring. You can also purchase a contoured band to hug the shape of the engagement ring.  

Stackable rings are another popular option. Search for one or two or three small bands to surround the engagement ring. The bands alone are in the minimalist style—often having timeless designs—but combine them and you have the best of both worlds. The Princess of Wales has a five-ring stack on her wedding finger, including her famous engagement ring originally belonging to Princess Diana. 

If a woman is a hairdresser or in any profession where a ring might be exposed to more than your average daily wear and tear, you might want to consider a less elaborate band. Diamonds can come loose even in normal circumstances, scratches can occur and a ring can even fall off. You don’t want to lose a wedding ring in any circumstances, but losing a really expensive band is even worse. 

For men and women, the type of metal preferred for a ring can be dictated by personal style choice or even allergies. The popularity of gold and silver are always shifting due to cultural trends, but neither metal ever goes out of style. Silver is usually a cheaper option for a couple on a budget, but gold is the traditional choice. Murphy says the most popular wedding ring choice for men is in gold. 

When it comes down to the wire, choosing a wedding ring that best fits your lifestyle and personal desires is the best rule of thumb. Even if on a limited budget, a simple detail such as engraving can take a ring from simple to special in a moment.