Choosing your wedding rings is an important decision, as they will symbolize your love and commitment to each other for the rest of your lives. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding ring:
Set a budget:
As with most things wedding planning related, decide on a budget for your wedding rings. This will help narrow down your options and ensure that you don't overspend. I always recommend allocating just that little bit extra for your rings, as they're one of the only physical reminders from your day.
Consider your lifestyle:
Your wedding rings should reflect your lifestyle, and different materials will ultimately wear in different ways. If you have a job requiring manual labour or are active in sports, you may want to choose a more durable ring. If you choose gold rings, for example, higher carats will be softer, more expensive and will ultimately show up bumps and scrapes easier.
Choose a metal:
Wedding rings come in various metals, including gold, platinum, and titanium. That doesn't mean you have to stick with those metals exclusively though, you should definitely consider materials such as tungsten and titanium as they are known for their durability, longevity, and sometimes tend to be a little cheaper than traditional gold rings! Ladies, also pay attention to your engagement ring, as you'll have 2 rings on the same finger, and they're going to rub together over time. Different rings will wear at different rates if the material isn't the same, speak to your Jeweller for more advice on this one!
Decide on a style:
Wedding rings come in a variety of styles, such as classic, modern, and vintage. Decide on a style that best suits your taste and personality. Equally, remember your tastes will change over time, and you'll want something that will look just as good in years to come as it does now.
Allergies:
This is more common than you'd think and something most people don't even consider! Different people can have reactions to certain materials, so it's worth taking some time to speak with your jeweller to think about if you or your partner have any allergies. This is something that can hugely narrow down your options. The last thing anyone wants is a nasty reaction to their wedding ring!
Consider the engraving:
Many couples choose to engrave their wedding rings with a special message. One idea I've come across a number of times is when couples have their wedding date engraved on the inside of their ring. Gent's, this is your opportunity to make sure you never forget your anniversary. Happy wife = Happy life!
Shop around:
Take the time to shop around and compare prices. You can also consider online retailers or even custom-made rings. Either way, you'll want to ensure you select a size and style that's comfortable, so go and have a conversation with your Jeweller of choice. Places like the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham are another great place to visit. The streets are literally lined with tons of different jewellers and more often than not retailers will buy directly from these very same places, meaning you'll be saving money by purchasing your rings at trade prices!
Matching or not matching:
You can choose to have matching wedding rings or not, it's up to you! Whilst traditionally it's the "done thing" to have matching rings, there's no reason to compromise on the ring you want just for the sake of matching. Rose gold tends to be a very popular choice with brides, but not all couples share the same view.
As with anything, there's a multitude of different options available when shopping for your rings, and whilst I'm no Jeweller, I've certainly met my fair share of them at trade shows and events over my years in the industry.
My biggest advice would always be to speak with a jeweller directly, but the above tips and hints will certainly mean you're not entering the process completely blind and will serve as a good foundation for making ultimately the right decision.
That's it for this week!
Peace. Love and Photos.
Jono x