The Perfect Pair – Selecting Your Wedding Rings

If you are starting to think about selecting your wedding rings, then the first thing to say is congratulations on your engagement and your upcoming marriage. Throughout this article we explore a few key pieces of advice to guide you through the process of choosing you and your partner’s perfect wedding rings. 

The History of Wedding Rings

The origin of wedding rings can be traced back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians. The hieroglyphics translate that wedding rings, as they have no end, are a representation of commitment and eternal love. The most common material when exchanging rings was braided hemp or reeds, materials that didn’t last long. These then would be replaced with rings made from leather, bone or ivory. It was believed that the more expensive the material was, the more love was shown.

In Ancient Rome, iron was a common material used for wedding rings showing strength and permanence. The Romans and Greeks believed that wedding rings were to be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand which contains the vena amoris, the vein of love, running from the finger straight to the heart. To this day, rings symbolise the love, commitment and union between two people and are worn on the left hand. In some European countries, the ring is worn on the same finger but on the opposite hand however, the symbolism of the ring remains the same.

Choosing Your Wedding Rings

A wedding ring is a visible symbol of the decision to unite two people as partners for the rest of their lives. It can often be suggested that the process of choosing wedding rings is just as important, if not more important, than selecting an engagement ring because it is a piece of jewellery, you both, will wear always. The process of selecting your wedding rings is often different from choosing an engagement ring as most couples tend to visit our showrooms together. This experience is a sentimental moment and signifies a key part of the planning and organisation of your wedding. 

Timescale

Our wedding ring collections are available in an array different metals, widths, shapes and styles and therefore, often, are made to order rather than readily available in our showrooms. Each ring is designed and made to fit your requirements, and size, perfectly and so it is always important to leave around six to eight weeks for this process, perhaps longer if there is something particularly unique, distinctive or bespoke you are looking for.

Budget

If you are planning a wedding then, as we know, there are so many different elements to think about, including your budget. In this budget it is important to have a realistic budget in mind for your wedding rings as you want to ensure you select a pair of rings that will not only stand the test of time but also, that you love. Our wedding ring collections include a vast array of options ranging from approximately £400 up to £4000, depending on your chosen style and the amount of gemstones, if any, that are included in the setting. It is also important to remember that if you are choosing a wedding ring that will sit alongside another ring, for example an engagement ring, we would always recommend choosing the same metal, a key component which makes up the price and a point we explore further, below. 

Style, Metal & Width

The first thing to consider, from a practical perspective, when selecting your wedding ring is the metal you and your partner would like. For those who currently wear an engagement ring or another ring which you would like your wedding ring to sit next to, it is important that you choose the same material. The most common materials seen in wedding rings are 18ct gold, platinum and, particularly in men’s rings, palladium. For example, a platinum engagement ring should be paired with a platinum wedding band. This advice is to ensure the longevity of your wedding ring and that the hardness of the metal in each of your rings is appropriate. 

The second thing to consider is the overall appearance and style of you and your partners’ rings. The majority of our clients choose a wedding ring that compliments the style or design of their engagement ring. This style or design could include whether you would like stones, such as diamonds or coloured gemstones set within the ring, the width or thickness (often listed in mm) of the ring and finally the shape, for example a classic court, a flat top or a D shape, to name a few.

Your wedding ring is a piece of jewellery you will wear always and, of course, the style of the ring is important but how comfortable the ring is should also be considered. It is quite normal for rings of any kind to feel strange on the hand, especially if it is not something that you usually wear. The shape and width of the ring can sometimes determine the level of comfort, how the ring physically feels between your fingers. Another key factor in the comfort of your ring is its size, our dedicated jewellery specialists will of course be able to guide you through selecting the perfect fit, in both ways.

If you do not have an engagement ring that you are looking to match or perhaps it is a men’s wedding ring you are looking for, you may wish to consider a matching pair to your partner. Often, men choose the same metal as their partner, so the rings are, in some way, matching. In many cases however, couples have different styles, tastes and what feels comfortable or suits their hand, may be completely different.

Personal Touches

For many engraving is the perfect way to add a personal touch to potentially the most special pieces of jewellery you will ever wear. At Prestons there is a vast array of ways in which to engrave your wedding rings, as well as other personal items of jewellery, including initials, names, dates, a loved one’s handwriting or even a fingerprint, all of which are complimentary. The amount of engraving possible and the type of engraving you may wish to consider will be dependent on the style and width of your chosen wedding ring. The team at each of our showrooms will be able to best advise you on the most suitable options, as well as the various techniques available to achieve you and your partner’s desired effects.

Bespoke or Made to Fit Wedding Rings 

There are many reasons a couple may wish to consider a bespoke wedding ring, these include but are not limited to; a wedding ring designed to fit around an intricate or bespoke engagement ring, a distinctive or unusual design or perhaps the redesign or reworking of a family heirloom.

The process of creating a bespoke wedding ring or a wedding ring is shaped or made to fit is one that can take a considerable amount of time, depending on how bespoke the concept is. To take one example, for a selection of engagement rings, the wearer may require a made to fit band due to a particularly low or flat style setting. In order to create a bridal set or a pair of rings that sit perfectly next to each other, you would need a wedding ring that features shaping. This shaping could be a cut out, a twist or a ring that is physically shaped to match your engagement ring. Each member of our dedicated sales teams, at the start of your selection process, will advise you on whether you require a shape or made to fit wedding ring and can also guide you through the bespoke design process.

For further information on choosing your wedding rings, please visit our website, here. Alternatively, please feel free to contact your local Prestons showroom to discuss choosing the perfect wedding rings.