Buying Your Wedding Ring

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What You Need to Know About Choosing Your Wedding Band

Many brides-to-be have been dreaming of their wedding ring since childhood, and it’s no wonder! Your rings are one of the most important, and exciting, elements of your wedding: they are treasures that you will wear for the rest of your life.

There’s no official date to start ring shopping, although you shouldn’t put it off for more than 4 months prior to your big day. Many couples shop for engagement rings right after the proposal, some even earlier.

Tradition (and just about every Hollywood wedding movie!) dictates that your groom surprises you with a ring. It’s a wonderful and romantic notion, but it’s not the only way to go. Nowadays, many women prefer to shop for their rings themselves. Says Hayley Henning, New York Jewelry consultant, “Women really know what they want and guys are too afraid to make the choices for them.” Should you decide to go this route, it works both ways -- your fiancé might prefer to choose his wedding band.

Bands of gold.
When trying on rings, you need to factor in a couple of body issues. Since finger size varies depending on menstruation cycles, salt intake and even the size of recent meals, try the rings on more than once—this goes for your groom too. Also, if you have any doubt about your finger size, purchase a ring that is half a size larger than your normal ring size. This way it will always slip on, and you can attach a “speed bump” inside the ring, which keeps the ring from falling off.

Always do your research: Make sure your ring is from a reputable dealer, and don’t fall for “discount” rings advertised on storefront windows. The sale price is most likely the retail price. No matter how much you love a particular ring at first site, check out several and ask questions. As Henning says, “You’re not going to buy the first car you see, and the same thing goes for a ring.”

When you’re ready to get serious about rings, visit the OurWeddingDay.com local Vendor section for a great list of wedding ring contacts local to your area.

Economics play a huge factor in rings, and neither one of you should go into debt for a ring. (Generally, he pays for your rings and you pay for his.) The common saying that a ring should cost one week’s salary is a good base to start with. However, do keep in mind that your ring is probably the most important jewelry purchase of your life. You don’t want to hide your hands in your pockets anytime you’re concerned someone’s staring at your ring.

To keep costs down, concentrate on the stone, and not just the setting—the details can price up a ring considerably. Always make sure that the ring and setting are included in the listed price. Finally, if you’re more concerned about wedding finances than bands of gold, you can put off the ring until your finances are in better shape. This way, you’ll be able to relax, and that ring you’ve had your eye on will fit like your love.

-David Toussaint

Go Back to Fashion & Beauty
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