Introduction
Your wedding rings are a symbol of the beautiful life you and your partner are creating together. They are more than just a piece of jewellery; they are marking a moment in time that you will be sure to remember forever.
Choosing the right wedding ring style so you both get the perfect piece matters. With so many options from budgets, metals, profiles, finishes and gemstones, it can sometimes feel a little bit overwhelming. In this guide, I’ll walk you through choosing a wedding ring in a step-by-step process, so you feel excited and confident about your decision. The perfect wedding ring will be different for everyone, and what’s important is that you choose the one that’s right for you.
1. Start by thinking about your lifestyle and routines
Before you get stuck in to design ideas and concepts, ask yourself: what’s your everyday life like?
- Do your hands often get knocked or scratched (e.g gardening, gym, or manual work)
- Is your daily world more desk-bound and delicate, or are you often in environments where durability is key?
- Do you prefer minimalist styles or statement pieces?
If you live an active life, you may want to opt for a sturdier metal and stay away from very delicate designs for your wedding ring, if you want it to stand the test of time. If your routine is gentler, or your happy to remove your ring when it might get damaged, you can experiment more freely with delicate details.
2. Choose your ring style
The choices for your ring style are endless and can reflect your individual style and personality. Some examples include:
- Plain wedding bands: A timeless and classic choice to mark your wedding
- Diamond set: For those who celebrate the beauty of gemstones
- Shaped / fitted wedding rings: Unique shapes or bespoke rings that are made to fit snugly with your engagement ring
3. Choosing which metal is best for your wedding ring
Your choice of metal has a big impact on how your ring looks and lasts. Here are the most popular options to consider:
- Sterling silver: bright white metal that is a budget choice, although softer than other metals
- 9ct, 14ct or 18ct yellow gold: a traditional choice with a beautiful buttery yellow gold tone
- 9ct, 14ct or 18ct rose gold: A warming pink tone with a vintage feel
- 9ct, 14ct or 18ct white gold: A popular choice with a cool white tone, which you can choose to have rhodium plated for a bright white or leave it natural for a more gunmetal grey colour in 18ct.
- Platinum: Naturally a beautiful white metal that’s extremely durable
When choosing a wedding ring, lots of couples love to choose matching metals for sentimentality, but this isn’t a must do. Remember you’re going to be wearing your ring for years to come, so make sure you both equally love what you pick, and that it suits your individual style.
Another tip when choosing your metal is to consider choosing the same metal as your engagement ring if you have one. This ensures that both are of the same hardness and durability. If you love mixing metals, no problem, just choose the same carat. For example, if you have an 18ct yellow gold engagement ring but want to pair it with a white metal wedding ring, pick 18ct white gold so both rings are a similar durability. This is not a hard and fast rule but is generally recommended, and I can always give more specific advice about this if you need it.
4. Choosing your wedding ring profile
Another thing we discuss during your bespoke wedding ring consultation is your chosen ring profile. This refers to the cross-section shape (how the ring looks in side view). Here are the most common profiles to choose from:
- Court / comfort / oval: Rounded on the inner and outer surface. A classic and comfortable choice.
- Flat court: Flat on top and rounded inside. A sleek yet still comfortable option.
- Flat: Flat on the top and edges (rectangular). A modern look.
- Bevelled / angled: Edges sloped towards the centre, giving more visual interest.
- D-Shape: Rounded outer, flat interior. A very popular choice and good for comfort and appearance.
The profile is super important as it affects how the ring feels when its being worn, and how it sits with your existing engagement ring. I would recommend trying on some of these different styles if you can, as I find generally when people try them on, they instantly know which ones look and feel right on their hand.
5. Choosing the width of your wedding ring
The width of your ring changes the overall feeling and impact of the ring on your hand. As with every detail of your wedding ring, it is all down to your own preference and there is no right or wrong choice. If you can, try on some different widths in person to see what feels balanced and comfortable on your hand.
Generally, I find that the most common width for women’s wedding rings is around 2-2.5mm. This works well as once you have your engagement ring, wedding ring, and maybe future eternity rings; they are still overall a comfortable fit. Men’s ring sizes also vary and the most common sizes I make are 4 – 5mm in width.
Overall, slim bands are around 2 – 3mm, and wider bands tend to be from 5-7mm. It is not recommended to go below around 2mm for your wedding ring width as this is too delicate for longevity. If you want to, you can go above 7mm but if you are not used to wearing jewellery you are more likely to notice a ring of this width, and some may find it uncomfortable for daily wear.
6. Add the finishing touches
Your ring is all about you, and your journey as a couple. To add your personality, you can choose:
- Diamonds or Gemstones: A subtle single gemstone, or a whole array of diamonds set into the band.
- Engraving: Name, date, small symbols, or a hidden meaningful word only the two of you know.
- Surface finishes: High polished, matte, brushed or hammered.
These small touches make the ring personal to you.
7. Try before you decide
Even if you see something online that you love, seeing and trying on rings in person helps you get a feel for how comfortable your ring will be and if you feel it suits your personal style.
Different widths can have different ring size fits, so this is another good reason to try on first. When sizing your ring, you want it to be snug enough to stay on, with a little resistance before it slips over the knuckle. Wedding rings usually can be resized later, but on occasion this might not be possible so always ask before committing if you’re not sure.
You are always welcome to book a consultation with me to try on wedding rings either before your make your own wedding ring workshop in my studio, or if we are designing bespoke wedding rings together for me to make for you. If you are not local, I can send out sample sterling silver rings similar to your choice of width and size so you can try them on at home before going ahead. I want the journey to be as relaxed and smooth as possible so if there’s anything I can do I am always here to help.
Choosing your wedding ring style should be an enjoyable and stress-free experience. By thinking about your lifestyle, trying on different metals and profiles, and playing around with the finer details, you will naturally come to a design you will love forever. Just remember it doesn’t matter what everyone else picks, pick what’s right for you.
I adore going through this process with couples and helping them find their forever rings, whether you’re getting hands on in the creative process by coming to one of my workshops to make your own wedding rings, or you want your dream rings made and presented to you from my studio in Scone, let’s work together and make your perfect wedding rings.
If you enjoyed reading this, share it with someone who is in the exciting time of searching for their dream wedding ring and help them come closer to making their choice.
