Guest Blog written by Kate on behalf of Duxford Studios - an independent contemporary jewellery brand who hand-craft custom wearable art.
Let’s face it, wedding ring shopping can be a super confusing and tiring process, especially since you've probably never done it before. Not only does it have to compliment your engagement ring, but it also has to suit your lifestyle, and fit into your budget of course. Here are our 6 top things to consider when choosing the perfect wedding ring.
1. Set Your Budget
Wedding rings can vary massively in price, from affordable to very expensive, so it’s important to set your budget at the beginning to help narrow your choices and prevent overspending. By setting yourself a budget, you can focus all your attention on rings that are within your price range and avoid the disappointment of falling head over heels with a ring that’s not affordable.
What’s more, setting a budget can help you prioritise what features are most important to you in a ring and allow you to allocate funds accordingly. For example, choosing a wedding ring with a more expensive metal or a larger diamond.
But don’t think that just because you have a budget you can’t find your perfect ring. It is absolutely possible to have a dream wedding ring within a budget, it’s just all about shopping around and being fully transparent with your jeweller.
2. Consider Your Lifestyle
Once you have your budget in mind, it’s now time to think about the practical side of things. This ring will be on your finger for the rest of your life, so it must align with your lifestyle and day-to-day doings. By this we mean - do you sit at a desk all day or are you active? The answer to this question will inform what kind of wedding band metal you should buy.
For example, tungsten is a good choice for those who do a lot of work with their hands, as it doesn't scratch as easily as other metals. Titanium is also a popular choice for a wedding band, as it doesn't bend or scratch easily. If you have an active lifestyle but you don't want to sacrifice sparkle, consider a wedding ring with channel set gemstones. With this setting, The pavé details (read: small, round diamonds or other gems) are placed side-by-side between open channels that keep them secure.
As well as the metal, your lifestyle will determine the profile size of the ring. For instance, if you work with your hands or live an active lifestyle where you’re moving a lot, a low-profile ring might be a better choice than a bulky one.
3. Incorporate Your Personal Style
It’s also important to consider your personal style and incorporate this into your ring choice. Like we said, this ring will stay with you forever and become a part of you, so it should reflect your personal style and taste. Consider unique factors like the ring's design, width, and any embellishments you desire.
Do you prefer white gold or yellow gold when it comes to jewellery? Do you have a preference when it comes to the different cuts of diamond? Is your day-to-day style more trendy and modern or traditional and timeless? To help you, perhaps take a look through the jewellery you currently own and use this information to pinpoint your personal style.
You might also be interested in getting your ring engraved, which is very popular among couples nowadays, whether it’s a meaningful message or wedding date.
4. Consider Your Engagement Ring
Another important factor to consider is your engagement ring. How will your new wedding ring look alongside it? Some engagement rings require a specific type of wedding band to fit perfectly, so always make sure your rings will physically stack together.
If your engagement ring has a flush fit design, you will typically have an easier time finding a wedding ring that seamlessly sits next to your ring. If you don't have a flush fit engagement ring and aren't loving the look of a gap, contour bands, mixed shape bands, or even the custom design route could be the one for you.
5. Determine Your Ring Size
Of course, you want to make sure that the chosen ring fits perfectly, so ensure you know your ring size before purchasing a wedding ring. This is super easy to do - you can either visit a jeweller to get measured or use an online sizing tool.
It’s not the end of the world if your ring doesn’t fit, as you can just take it to a jeweller to get resized, but you want it to fit at the end of the aisle, of course.
6. Shop Together
Last but not least, as you'll both be sporting wedding rings, why not participate in this wedding planning activity together? Both partners should be involved to enjoy the process and make sure they end up with something they love.
Going wedding ring shopping together can also help you narrow down the ring style you like best. Why not make a date out of it? Head out for some lunch, then the jewellery store. The perfect date!
We hope this article has been helpful! For even more top tips and advice for your special day, check out the rest of the blog here.
