Wedding Bands

Choosing a wedding band is one of the most important investments in a marriage. Spouses, friends, family and strangers alike will be seeing the wedding bands many times a day for years to come, so brides and grooms alike would do well to put a little thought into the selection of rings.

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The average couple spends $500 on a wedding band. Wedding planners recommend beginning to shop for wedding bands six months before the big day so it doesn't get forgotten in the shuffle that's sure to ensue.

Choosing the wedding ring depends on deciding on metals, styles, and patterns. There's a world of wedding bands out there to suit your tastes, from traditional to contemporary or something in between.

The bands often chosen are the plain solitary ring that compliments the engagement ring. Should you chose an ornate wedding band, it should not detract from the engagement ring. Platinum and gold are the most popular choices in wedding bands, but white gold and titanium are also frequently purchased. Two-tone sets are also popular, with a matching ring of the opposite color but the same style to compliment the engagement ring.

Men's rings usually match the bride's engagement ring and or wedding band. To simplify the process, matching ring sets are available from most jewelers. However, for men's rings, the most important things to consider are thickness of the band (in millimeters) and durability, which will depend upon the wearer of the ring to a certain extent.

Many wedding bands have a unique curve that hugs the engagement ring. This way they fit together well on the finger. However, the prong that holds the stone of the engagement ring may sit snugly over the wedding band, so it's best to try them out and consult the jeweler when purchasing the band. They need not be bought from the same jeweler, as most jewelers can shape a wedding band to the engagement ring

The width of the engagement ring will strongly influence the width of your wedding band. Generally, a wedding band should be either the same width or very slightly wider than the engagement ring. The band also depends on your finger and preferences. You should consider the length of your fingers and how much room is available between the base of your finger and your knuckle to comfortably wear a ring.

Since you want the rings to appear to have been made together, the widths of the rings should be the same. When considering the width of the wedding band, you should consider the width of the engagement ring on the side or base of the ring, not the top gemstone setting width.

Some couples opt for vintage wedding bands or second-hand rings that can be more or less expensive than a new ring. A family heirloom ring is also a popular choice for wedding bands. Rings such as these are easily sized and restored. They can also be set with new stones and embellishments to personalize them. Engraving is also an option for wedding bands when you want to include a personal message that only your spouse will know about.

The most important thing when it comes to picking the right wedding band is to shop around first and then hone is your own personal likes and dislikes until, you are crystal clear in your own head, just which wedding band makes the most sense for you.