How to Pick a Wedding Band That Complements With Your Engagement Ring
There are many factors to consider when buying the ideal wedding ring, and one of the most important is how the wedding ring looks next to the engagement ring. Not every bride will wear both rings together, and not every bride will wear her engagement ring every day. But for those times that you do, it is important that the two rings complement each other.
To match or not to match?
If matching your two rings is very important to you, then your best option is to choose a bridal set.
A bridal set consists of matching engagement and wedding rings. Bridal sets create a coordinated look and is ideal if you are after a perfectly matching look. On the flip side, they can tend to look traditional and conservative.
An increasing number of brides are moving away from the tradition of matching rings and experimenting with sizes, colors and styles to create fantastic ring combinations.
A Complementary Match?
A complementary match refers to a wedding ring that flatters the engagement ring it’s paired with rather than matching it perfectly. An example of a complementary match would be a diamond wedding ring paired with a sapphire and diamond sidestone engagement ring.You Decide
Sometimes you just like what you like. If you want a rose gold band with a white gold engagement ring, there’s no one stopping you from making that a reality. You do you.These two rings are there to signify two separate, important events in your life. They have different emotions and associations linked with them. Wearing different styles can symbolize this fact.
The most important factor is that both the wedding and engagement rings complement each other. As these are two rings that you will wear for the rest of your life, it is critical that you love the look even years down the line.
Choosing the metal
Most often, brides choose the same metal for both rings as this creates a pleasing aesthetic and looks well-coordinated. Both rings will also have the same wearability and will complement each other.
However, for an interesting contrast, mixing and matching metals can be a good idea. This gives a modern and trendy look, and makes each ring stand out.
While choosing the metals depends on your preferences, ensure that the metals you choose are durable. Also ensure that both rings are made of metals that have the same hardness. This ensures that the harder ring does not scratch and wear out the softer ring, as can happen when the two rings sit flush against each other. For example, a hard metal such as platinum can easily wear down gold or silver.
Mixing and matching different metals can create an interesting and beautiful contrast.
Should my wedding ring be flush fit?
Whether you want your wedding ring to sit flush against your engagement ring is a matter of choice. Many women don’t like the idea of a gap between the two rings and feel that this destroys the look of the two rings working as one piece.
There is no rule that states that the two rings should be of the same shape and fit against each other. You can get as creative as you wish, regardless of the gap between the two rings, choosing bands with different shapes and styles.
However, if you have an engagement ring with a very large gemstone, especially with a shape such as pear or marquise, it may be a good idea to get a contoured wedding ring. This will ensure that your wedding ring is visible while lessening the gap between the two rings.
How do I wear my engagement and wedding rings?
Traditionally, the wedding ring is on the third finger of your left hand with the engagement ring above it. Although this is the most common way to wear your two rings, there are other ways to show these off!
Another way to wear your rings is to transfer the engagement ring to the right hand, while keeping the wedding ring on the left. This adds sparkle to both your hands, and is also excellent if your rings have two wildly different styles.
Consider the styles
Here are some general rules to help you choose a wedding ring that is compatible with your engagement ring.
Solitaire engagement rings
If you have a solitaire engagement ring with side stones, choose a wedding band that is similarly sized in terms of width. The solitaire is sparkly and bright, but it can easily be overshadowed and if set next to a large clunky ring. You could also choose a plain pipe-cut or comfort fit wedding band, which will emphasize the diamond.
Halo engagement rings
Halo engagement rings are also easily matched. Because of their sparkle and design, they go beautifully with almost any wedding band.
Three stone rings
Three-stone rings are best paired with simple wedding bands to keep the focus on the stones. Small pave bands or thin channel sets are ideal. You can also choose to have the accent stones made up of a different gemstone, such as sapphire or ruby, like this ring.
Gemstone engagement rings
Matching a colored gemstone to a wedding band is quite easy. You can choose the classic diamond pave and channel set bands which will go with literally any gemstone ring. You can also add the same gemstones to the band to create a unified and classy look.
