Wedding Band 101: Selecting The Perfect Rings

Along with all the wedding planning excitement, you and your hubby-to-be get to shop for your wedding bands.

{Photo by Munoz Photography}

Our friends at The Knot recently shared their ultimate ring buying guide with tips for selecting wedding bands you will love and cherish for years.

We just had to pass along The Knot‘s 11 ways to pick the perfect wedding bands…

1. Narrow down your choices
   “Since this is one of the few pieces—if not the only piece—of jewelry you’ll shop for together and wear every day, it’s smart to make some preliminary choices before you even hit the stores.”
2. Consider buying your rings and your bands together
   “If you prefer to be surprised by the engagement ring, or you already have it on your finger, this may not work, but knowing what bands go with the engagement ring can help you make a decision.”
3. Start your search early
   “Once you have a basic idea of what you’d like, it’s time for the fun part: trying on rings! Give yourselves at least two to three months before the wedding date to ring shop.”
4. Mix it up
   “Don’t fret if you like platinum and your partner likes yellow gold. There’s no rule that says you have to choose the same metal or even style.”
5. Set a budget
   “Shop with the assumption that you’ll spend about 3 percent of your total wedding budget on the rings.”
6. Keep your lifestyle in mind
   “What’s the point of buying a pricey, pretty band if it feels uncomfortable on or if you have to remove it often (and increase your chances of losing it)? Remember: You’re going to wear this band every day, so the goal is to choose something that seamlessly becomes a part of your life.”
7. Take your time trying
   “You may love the idea of a braided rose gold ring or a diamond eternity band, but once you get to the store, try some rings that aren’t on your inspiration board.”
8. Think long term
   While you shouldn’t be afraid of being trendy, make sure the style you choose is something you’ll want to wear for, say, the next 40 years. This ring is meant to last through all the jobs, PTA meetings and social functions from now until then, so pick one you love that you can picture yourself wearing for a long time.
9. Consider maintenance
   “To keep a wedding band with stones clean and sparkling, you’ll need to wash and soak it in warm sudsy water, then gently brush it with a soft toothbrush or eyebrow brush, rinse it and pat it dry with a soft lint-free cloth. Sound like too much upkeep? You may want to opt for a fuss-free gold or platinum ring.”
   
   
10. Size it right
    “Most people rarely take off their wedding bands; they wear them through summers, winters, exercise, pregnancies—all times when your fingers swell and contract from heat, cold, water retention or weight gain. To find the right size that will best weather all of those changes, schedule your final ring fitting at a time when you’re calm and your body temperature is normal.”
11. Check for quality
    “Make sure the ring has two marks inside the band: the manufacturer’s trademark and the quality mark, 24K or PLAT. If the ring consists of two or more metals, make sure there’s a quality mark for each.”
    

See The Knot‘s full wedding band guide.