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Five Things to Remember When Choosing Your Wedding Ring

By: Joseph Akintaju on April 21, 2013 @ 9:01 pm.

So your wedding preparations are in full swing and just about all the trimmings are accounted for. What about your wedding ring? It may appear to be a small token part of the ceremonies, but it speaks of a life together, and carries with it much significance and importance. It’s only fair to devote ample time in choosing the right wedding bands for you and your future spouse.

Unfortunately, many couples fall into the trap of committing what they perceive to be ordinary mistakes in selecting their wedding bands. Bear in mind that these are pieces of jewelry to be worn practically forever, therefore much deliberate planning should be done prior to purchasing them. Here are five practical things you should remember when choosing a wedding ring.

  1. Make a proper budget for it…and make sure to stick to it!

Many wedding experts believe that around three percent of a wedding budget should go to the selection and purchase of a wedding ring. This includes the fitting and engraving services that come before and after buying a set. It is understandably tempting to go over-budget once you find yourself in a jewelry shop surrounded by glass cases of beautiful wedding bands, and with jewelry sales clerks persuading you to go for more expensive rings. However, it is best to stick to your agreed-on budget with your future spouse, and select the rings that best match it so that you don’t end up spending the budget allotted for other important things.

  1. Decide on the type of wedding rings way ahead of the ceremony.

From the type of precious metal to the engraving and the fitting, through to the budget and style of your wedding bands, it cannot be emphasized enough that you have to set aside ample time to decide on the kind you’d want to purchase. Haphazard scheduling of wedding band shopping oftentimes lead to an uncomfortable fit, substandard quality, and many quarrels between the future spouses. To avoid all these, it is best to schedule the task at least a couple of months before the wedding to decide on the perfect wedding bands for both of you.

  1. Go for classic styles.

Classic wedding bands withstand trends and look good with most types of clothing. While you may want something that’s “in” with the current dictates of jewelry design and fashion, it is still the wiser option to go for something that is timeless. You can still add personal touches to a simple wedding band to make it truly unique.

  1. Set appointments for ring fitting and engraving.

Recognize that rings can get uncomfortable through the years as far as their fit goes. Fingers can get larger, bonier, or generally change over time, and having a piece of jewelry that remains essentially the same size can spell out extreme discomfort to its wearer. Discuss options to avoid this. One good one is to go for adjustable wedding bands so they expand and fit snugly on your ring finger with time.

  1. Involve the groom in the wedding ring plans.

And yes, it is very important to include the future groom in the planning! Even if wedding jewelry seems to be in the jurisdiction of the bride, the right kind of fit and style for the groom has to be taken into consideration, especially since he’s expected to wear it all throughout his married life.

When choosing a wedding band, discuss the kind of style and fit your future spouse likes, and carefully consider all possible allergies to metals so you can settle for a hypoallergenic material. Bear in mind that these pieces of jewelry symbolically bind you together as a couple, so being practical about their selection is important.

Sharon Sussman has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Touro College and is now Director of Products at Brilliance.com. She has been involved in diamond wholesale trading and jewelry industry for 10 years.

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