What is the correct way to wear your wedding rings? Once you’re married and wearing both wedding and engagement rings, you might be wondering how to wear the wedding band and engagement ring correctly. Following the time-honored jewelry tradition, discovering how to wear wedding rings can reflect your personal love story and commitment, making it a perfect symbol of your unique bond and unwavering devotion. For example, which ring do you wear on the top? Should you wear them both on your left-hand ring finger or wear them on separate fingers? We’re experts in this department, so we’ve created this guide to discuss everything you need to know about wedding band placement and the proper way to wear wedding rings.
Engagement Ring vs. Wedding Ring
First, let’s break down the difference between a wedding ring and an engagement ring. The engagement ring is typically given to one partner at the time of the proposal, while wedding rings are exchanged between spouses on the wedding day.
There are usually a few differences between the engagement ring and the wedding ring when it comes to price points, placement, and design. An engagement ring usually has a center stone, like a diamond or moissanite, and is often significantly more expensive than a wedding band. The wedding ring can feature smaller diamonds or gemstones encrusted across the band for customization, or it can be pure and simple: the iconic classic gold band.
The wedding band/engagement ring pairing can come together to form a beautiful symbol of love; brides often find that choosing harmonious designs or contrasting styles can create the perfect visual representation of their marriage.
How to Wear Wedding Band and Engagement Ring
Normally, couples place the wedding band "closest to their heart," which involves wearing it beneath the engagement ring on the left ring finger. There are individuals who wear their wedding band on top of their engagement ring, as a means to keep both rings securely on the finger.
For that reason, many individuals with engagement rings will move the engagement ring to the right hand before the wedding ceremony itself, so that their partner can easily slip the wedding ring onto the left hand. After the ceremony, the engagement ring is moved on top of the wedding ring.
Alternatively, some choose to have their wedding and engagement rings fused together following the wedding to make the entire ring set one piece. Many people also choose to wear their wedding band on a daily basis and wear the engagement ring only on special occasions, since the engagement ring is usually much more expensive and valuable.
Unraveling the puzzle of how to wear wedding rings can not only help you follow tradition but also allow you to add your unique touch.
Alternative Styles
So, how do you wear wedding rings if traditional isn’t your style? Here are a few of our favorite methods for the placement of the wedding band and engagement ring:
Ring Finger — Wedding Band on Top
One option is to wear both rings on the ring finger of your left hand in the order that you received the rings, meaning that the engagement ring would be on the bottom and the wedding ring would go on top.
Ring Finger — Engagement Ring on Top
When deciding where to wear the engagement ring, this is the traditional option we mentioned earlier. Couples usually wear both rings on the ring finger of the left hand, but instead of the wedding band on top, the engagement ring is on top. Many people prefer wearing the rings this way for sentimental reasons, as they like keeping the wedding ring closer to their hearts.
Engagement Ring on Left Ring Finger and Wedding Band on the Other
The placement of the wedding band and engagement ring is a personal choice, reflecting your style — you may opt to have both pieces of jewelry on the same finger or distribute them across both hands. This is a great option for people with shorter finger lengths or those who don’t want too many rings on one finger.
Alternate Between Rings
You can also choose not to wear both of your rings at the same time, either because the engagement ring is more expensive or because it’s easier to only wear one ring at a time. You can choose to wear your wedding ring on a daily basis, and your engagement ring only on special occasions.
Engagement Ring on Left Ring Finger, Wedding Band on Whichever Finger You Choose
You can also choose to wear the engagement ring on the ring finger of your left hand and the wedding ring on any other finger of your choosing.
Can Men Wear Engagement Rings?
While men don’t traditionally wear engagement rings, they can certainly do so if they choose. There are lots of male celebrities that choose to wear engagement rings, including Skylar Astin, Ed Sheeran, and Michael Buble.
What About Anniversary Rings?
Some people choose to mark big wedding anniversaries, such as a 10-year or 25-year anniversary, with an anniversary ring. Anniversary rings are a wonderful option and allow you to recreate the proposal with a ring that reflects the changes you’ve gone through together. Some people choose to wear all three of their rings on one finger, while others choose to swap out their wedding ring for the anniversary ring.
If you enjoyed this article on how to wear wedding rings, reach out to Gema&Co today to learn more about our products and our expert tips for wearing engagement rings and wedding bands together.