Visit the QALO blog to learn how to wear your wedding band and engagement ring after the knot is tied, with great styling ideas and tips.
If you’re in the final stretch of your wedding planning journey and will soon be sauntering down the aisle, you’re probably starting to think about what it will be like to go from engaged to married. There’s a whole new family and perhaps a whole new name, not to mention a whole new ring! Yup, it’s a whole lot to take in.
But don’t stress! In this guide, we’re covering how to wear an engagement ring and wedding band together to help you transition from engaged to married. As for the new family and new name, well…you’ll get used to it, trust us!
The Traditional Way of Wearing Your Wedding Rings
Traditionally speaking, your wedding band should go on the same finger as your engagement ring. In Western culture, that usually means the ring finger on your left hand. In which order do they go? There’s no hard and fast rule on this, but many people prefer to stack them in the order in which they were received—engagement ring first, wedding band second.
However, the engagement ring should always go second (on top) during the wedding ceremony to ensure that the groom can properly place the wedding band on the bride’s bare finger.
According to etiquette authority Emily Post: “Just before the ceremony, the bride switches her engagement ring from her left hand to her right. At the ceremony, the wedding band is placed on the bride’s left hand. After the ceremony, the engagement ring is returned to the bride’s left hand on top of the wedding band.”
Many brides opt to wear their wedding ring first to honor this tradition or to keep it closer to the heart while wearing it every day. Others choose whichever looks best or fits together the most naturally.
Wear Your Rings Your Way
As you can tell, the rules are bendable when it comes to wedding band etiquette. The same goes for styling. You can wear your pair however you like—stacked, solo or on different hands. It’s all up to you. Here are some great ways to make rocking your rings feel tailored to your style.
1. Mix and Match—Your wedding band and engagement ring don’t have to match. In fact, it’s trendier than ever to mix materials, widths, styles and stones to keep it a bit exciting. For example, it’s common to see our silicone wedding bands styled with traditional precious metal rings. And why not? Silicone brings bold color and unique designs you simply can’t get with gold, silver or platinum. You can really show off your personality with silicone in ways you may not be able to with precious metals.
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2. Keep It Dainty—If you’re worried about two rings being overwhelming, heavy or visually a bit much for your sense of style, you might want to wear stackable rings along with your engagement ring. Typically, these dainty, relatively simple bands are super-skinny, so they don’t take up a ton of room on your finger or get in your way while you’re going about your life. Mix and match with bold stacks—create a rainbow of neon colors or a monochrome look!—or keep it minimalist to suit your style.
3. Keep It Solo—Remember, you don’t have to wear both rings all the time. Many married people opt to wear their wedding bands only, reserving the engagement ring for more special occasions. But you could also wear your engagement ring solo. There’s no rule that says you must wear it alongside your wedding band. You do you!
4. Rock Them on Different Hands—It’s not uncommon for brides to wear their engagement ring on their left ring finger and their wedding band on their right ring finger. And why not? If you think your jewelry looks better showcased in all its glory—not overshadowed by one another—then definitely go for the both hands option.
We know that your engagement ring and wedding band are symbolic of your enduring love and commitment to your spouse, but they should also be reflective of who you are as an individual. That’s why we think you should wear your engagement ring and wedding band in the way you want to. For some, that may mean keeping it traditional. For others, it may be all about tossing the customs to the wind!
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