How To Wear Wedding Rings

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While it’s common tradition in much of the Western world to wear your wedding and engagement rings on the fourth finger of your left hand, there’s no rule against breaking this tradition for comfort reasons or style preferences. You can switch up their traditional stacked order, wear them on your right hand instead, or even wear one on each hand.

The Difference Between Engagement Rings And Wedding Rings

While both engagement and wedding rings both commemorate dedication to love, these rings are a bit different in appearance and meaning.

An engagement ring is given during a successful marriage proposal, and shows that its wearer is engaged. 

The wedding ring, sometimes called a wedding band, is exchanged during a couple’s wedding ceremony, after their vows. This ring signifies the couple’s bond through marriage.

How To “Traditionally” Wear Your Engagement Ring and Wedding Ring

In the United States, the engagement and wedding rings are traditionally worn together on your left ring finger. The wedding ring is conventionally worn at the base of your finger with the engagement ring on top. The wedding ring is worn on the bottom because it’s closest to your heart!

That being said, some women wear their engagement ring closest, while others wear one ring on each ring finger. Ultimately, how you wear your engagement and wedding ring is a matter of personal preference and style. 

Alternate Way To Wear #1: Engagement Ring First, Wedding Ring On Top

Some people may prefer to wear their engagement ring at the base of their finger followed by their wedding ring for a variety of reasons. Like we mentioned before, the engagement ring is often the flashier ring of the two, and you may like the larger rock stacked first for aesthetic reasons. 

Wearing your engagement ring first is also a popular choice because it’s chronological – after all, you received your engagement ring before the wedding band! Wearing your rings this way gives your stack a story. For many, it simply makes more sense to start at the beginning. 

Alternate Way To Wear #2: Engagement Ring On One Hand, Wedding Ring On The Other

Wearing your ring engagement and wedding rings on separate hands could be for the sake of comfort or fashion. Some people have small fingers and find that double stacked rings feel clunky and inhibiting on one finger. Wearing one ring on each feels more natural and comfortable, and allows them to show off each!

This is also a popular choice if your engagement ring and wedding ring have distinctive, different styles. Mismatched rings make a bold statement stacked, but they’re a lot of fun to wear on each hand as well. Wearing these rings separately allows you to show off each ring’s unique style without them clashing or overshadowing one another. 

Alternate Way To Wear #3: Rings On The Right Hand

Many people choose to wear their wedding rings on their right hand for a few reasons. You may choose to do this because you’re left handed, or perhaps you follow different cultural customs. 

 Here are a few countries where married couples wear their rings on their right hand:

  • Austria
  • Bulgaria
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • Latvia
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • India
  • Peru
  • Venezuela

In some countries, like India, wearing your wedding ring on your left hand is even considered unlucky. Despite what tradition tells us, you’re free to wear your wedding band however it feels comfortable. 

How To Find The Perfect Engagement and Wedding Rings 

Here’s a few tips on how to find the perfect engagement ring and wedding band: 

  • Choose an engagement ring that suits your partner’s style. While some women want their engagement ring to be a total surprise, other women are excited to be part of the process of shopping and perhaps custom making her ring. If she mentions a particular stone, cut, carat weight, setting, or precious metal, make a note! If she hasn’t left any hints, take note of her personal style, career, lifestyle and existing jewelry wardrobe. 
  • Learn about the 4Cs. If you’re set on buying a classic diamond engagement ring, it’s important to learn  the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. These factors determine the diamond’s quality. Becoming familiar with the 4Cs is key to buying a quality diamond.
  • Remember that the wedding band complements the engagement ring. This is important to remember when shopping for an engagement ring! It’s easy to get caught up with the diamond cut, carat weight, or setting for the engagement ring without thinking about how to pair a wedding band. Some engagement rings are trickier to match because of the stone’s cut. Consider this factor when choosing. 
  • Consider Custom Rings. Investing in a custom engagement and wedding ring is the ideal way to ensure your rings are a perfect match. Master jeweler and diamantaire, David Alan sits with his clients to discuss your design, preferences and budget to ensure you get rings that will last a lifetime and become your family heirlooms. 

    • Discover custom, not customary fine jewelry, designed and expertly crafted for you

    David Alan is a New York City based custom fine jewelry atelier with an incredible reputation for capturing and translating your raw emotion and passion into a beautifully balanced, and distinctly unique design. Every part of your David Alan experience contributes to a jewel so personal, it becomes your signature, your talisman, and your future heirloom. Start your journey now.  

    Engage in a complimentary virtual consultation with David Alan, today!