Where do wedding rings come from?
According to the Cape Town Diamond Museum, humans first began wearing wedding rings over 3,000 years ago! Ancient Egyptians originated the practice with rings made from hemp or reeds. Unsurprisingly, these rings did not last very long. If they had the means, couples might instead opt for rings of leather or ivory. The symbolism of the unbroken circle represented an everlasting love, just as it does today.
The Greeks picked up this tradition from the Egyptians, and the Romans later adopted it from the Greeks. Greek and Roman rings often paid tribute to Cupid or Eros, including depictions of these gods of love. Though they used copper at first, by the 4th century AD, gold was the most popular material for wedding rings.
During the Medieval and Renaissance periods, jewelers added more gemstones, motifs and other unique design elements to wedding rings. For a long time, grooms didn’t give engagement rings–only wedding rings. Historians speculate that engagement rings became common after the Catholic church declared marriage to be a holy sacrament in the 12th century. The wedding ring represented the marriage in the eyes of the church, while the engagement ring was a more personalized gift from the future groom to his future bride.
Why do we wear wedding rings on the fourth finger?
This tradition also dates back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians, who believed that there was a vein leading directly from the fourth finger of the left hand to the heart. The Romans adopted this belief as well, and named the vein the “Vena Amoris” (vein of love). Today, we know this isn’t anatomically correct. But it’s undoubtedly romantic, and the symbolism is still meaningful, so the tradition remains!
Which ring goes on first: the engagement ring or the wedding band?
Tradition states that the engagement ring is given first, and the wedding band second.The engagement ring marks the moment at which a man asks a woman to become his wife, a significant decision well before the wedding takes place! The engagement ring is typically more personalized than the wedding band. The groom can select unique features that he thinks represent his bride or the love story between them. The bride can also let the groom know her preferences in advance.
The wedding ring, which is given second, is added on the day of the wedding. It represents the moment that the couple’s commitment becomes official in the eyes of the government and/or church.
How should you wear an engagement ring and wedding band?
The wedding ring is typically placed on the finger first and followed by the engagement ring, which is stacked on top. Depending on the type of engagement ring and wedding ring you have, you may wear your jewelry differently.Some brides with nesting wedding bands that curve around the contours of the engagement ring might flip the order for aesthetic purposes. As you add anniversary bands in the future, you may also choose to stack them above or below the engagement ring and/or wedding band.
How to match an engagement ring and wedding band
An engagement ring and wedding band, together, are referred to as a bridal set. Some bridal sets are sold together, with the rings matched by the jewelry brand. Typically, jewelry brands pair rings with similar aesthetics, which may include similar metal colors and details in addition to ring shapes that complement each other. However, future brides can also build their own bridal sets.If you choose to build your own bridal set, there are a few things to take into account. You can pair up any two rings that look and feel good to you, but these suggestions might help.
First, consider the colors and motifs of your engagement ring. Most people prefer to match metal tones–so, yellow gold and yellow gold, white gold and white gold, etc. If your engagement ring includes gemstones and you want your wedding band to do the same, try to choose matching or complementary colors, such as sapphires with more sapphires or with diamonds. Band designs play a role here, too. For instance, if you have a twist band engagement ring, you may want something similar for the wedding band.
On the other hand, if your engagement ring has a large center stone or other bold features, a simple or minimalistic wedding band can also work. Let that engagement ring be the center of attention by placing it next to a beautiful but basic wedding band.
Fit and comfort are also key to your bridal set. If one ring is on the bulky side, pair it with a thinner, lighter ring to avoid weighing down your finger. If you want the rings to fit well together, you can opt for a nesting or contoured band that encircles the center stone of your engagement ring.
Trendy Engagement Ring and Wedding Band Sets
Classic round, diamond solitaire engagement rings can pair beautifully with more elaborate wedding bands. Enhance the sparkle of your bridal set with a wedding band encrusted with more diamonds or other colored gemstones. Infinity bands, which are studded with diamonds all the way around, pack a sparkly punch, while colored gems add a bit of modern flair.
Elongated center stones like oval cut, emerald cut and pear cut diamonds pair nicely with simpler bands such as plain gold, pavé or micro-pavé bands. This is also true for multi-stone engagement rings. Elegant and dainty, simpler wedding band styles let the large stone be the focus of the bridal set. If you want something a bit more contemporary, consider a twist band or floral motif band.