Matching Your Wedding and Engagement Rings
If your groom has already surprised you with a beautiful engagement ring, your wedding ring shopping will be all the easier. The basic style, the type of metal (gold, silver or platinum) and perhaps the shape and type of diamond and/or other stones will be your guide in choosing a wedding ring.Keep in mind that it's not a hard and fast rule that engagement and wedding rings be a matched set. Two toned and even three toned jewelry is not only currently acceptable, it's a solid trend. Consider a winding yellow and white gold band to match a white gold engagement ring. Or add colored gold (pink gold is a top choice) to highlight your engagement band.
That Ring on His Finger
Many couples look for matching wedding rings, though this is not absolutely necessary. Keep your groom's tastes in the front of your mind while you shop for your wedding ring. Better yet, do your shopping with him. Ask him, and seek out rings that will satisfy both your style and his. Usually, a groom's wedding band is wider but less intricately decorated than the bride's. However, your Renaissance man may adore glittering gold and an oversize gem. Ask him, and take his lead in looking for bands that will complement his preferences while suiting your own style.Choosing the Band and Setting
Are you a "golden girl"? Do you shine in silver? Is extravagant platinum more your speed? The first item to consider in choosing a wedding ring is the metal. Perhaps you helped choose your engagement ring, either with a few carefully placed hints or an outright request. Some modern brides-to-be even buy their own engagement rings. If so, you already had a particular metal in mind; go with a matching or complementing metal type or color for your wedding band. Now is the time to consider the type of metal you'd like to wear for a lifetime. Be careful with this decision-the tone will need to complement your skin tone and the clothing colors you normally wear.The width of the band is also important. Standard molded wedding bands, which have a convex (outwardly-curving) shape, may need to be more slender if you use your hands frequently during work or hobbies. You'll have a bit more leeway here if you choose a pipe-cut band, which lies flatter on the finger and tends to get in the way less often.
Once you've decided on the type of band, you can move on to deciding whether you'd like gems set into it. The center setting for your engagement ring might be square, round, marquis (diamond) or even a heart; you can either copy this look for your wedding band or offset it with a different shape. Visit your local jeweler or go online to get an idea of what shape suits you. Your wedding ring can be studded entirely in tiny diamonds, or can have a simple gem or two set into the top. Consider precious gems other than diamonds for your wedding ring. Popular stones for band settings include emeralds, rubies or sapphires. If you choose to forgo gems altogether for your wedding band, you may be interested in an engraved look, such as Celtic scrollwork, ultra-modern slender lines or initials that stand for something or someone special.
If you can't find what you'd like, ask your jeweler whether he or she can custom create a wedding band for you or for your groom. Many jewelers offer this service. Though there may be an additional charge, you'll be glad every time you look at this precious symbol of your new life together. Your engagement and wedding rings are meant to last you a lifetime. Be sure to make the right choice for your personality and style.