Although engagement rings have become a universal symbol of love, marriage, and partnership, they are actually one of two rings commonly associated with marriage.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Do Women Wear Wedding Bands? |
| Wedding Band versus Engagement Ring Placement |
| More Wedding Band Tips |
Do Women Wear Wedding Bands?
Engagement rings, typically adorned with beautiful gemstones, are given at the time of a marriage proposal and worn from that moment forward. In contrast, wedding bands (or wedding rings) are exchanged between partners during the wedding ceremony. While the terms wedding band and wedding ring are now often used interchangeably, historically, they held distinct meanings. Traditionally, wedding bands were simple metal rings worn primarily by men.
As traditions evolved, women also began to wear wedding bands. With this shift, plain wedding bands evolved to incorporate more decorative and feminine styles, becoming what we now commonly refer to as the wedding ring. Although wedding rings typically lack the central stone found in engagement rings, they often feature decorative accents like diamonds or gemstones more frequently than wedding bands. Despite their history, there are no strict rules dictating which ring you can wear.
Wedding Band versus Engagement Ring Placement
Because the wedding band is placed on the same finger as the engagement ring, many brides move their engagement rings to their right hand during the wedding ceremony, and move the ring back afterwards. Therefore, stacking the two rings on their left ring finger. Traditionally, the wedding band is worn closer to the base of the finger than the engagement ring because it's thought that the ring exchanged during the wedding, should be closer to the wearer’s heart.
Although many women stack their rings on one finger, there are many ways to wear your rings. Because wedding bands are typically less flashy and commonly contain no a center diamond or prominent gemstone, they are often more practical for daily wear. Those who may be apprehensive of wearing their engagement ring every day, may choose to wear their wedding band for daily activities and don their engagement ring for special occasions.
More Wedding Band Tips
Many jewelers offer engagement rings and wedding bands as a coordinated wedding set for a stylish match. However, there's no hard rule—just personal preference. Some couples opt to buy wedding bands later, or not at all. While many prefer matching metals, mixing metals is also a popular choice! Men's wedding bands often feature various metal options, inspiring similar creativity in the bride's rings for a romantic and stylish touch.
If you're looking for a wedding band but prefer not to buy a wedding set, explore our expertly curated list below. Our selection offers a great starting point to craft your own engagement set. You can also find your perfect wedding ring and engagement ring set by exploring specific ring styles where we often suggest complementary matches.
Pave and Milgrain Diamond Engagement Ring
This classic engagement ring features a subtle milgrain border and showcases 0.09 carats of pave-set accent diamonds. It complements beautifully with our Milgrain Pave Diamond Women's Band.
Milgrain Pave Diamond Women's Band
This delicate women’s wedding band mirrors the exquisite milgrain and pave-set accent diamonds found in the Pave and Milgrain Diamond Engagement Ring, creating a charming wedding set.
Classic Four Prong Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring
This best-selling 4-prong engagement ring setting is an eternal classic, designed to highlight your stunning solitaire diamond.
Petite Pave Diamond Women's Wedding Band
The elegant row of pave-set diamonds on this band beautifully complements our Classic Four-Prong Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring, transforming it into an unforgettable engagement ring set.
Braided Row Diamond Engagement Ring
This dazzling ring showcases braided rows of 0.17 carats of accent diamonds, elegantly twisting around to create a stunning backdrop for your finely set center stone.
Weaved Women's Diamond Wedding Band
With its mesmerizing weaving pattern of accent diamonds, this wedding band perfectly complements the stunning braided rows of diamonds featured in our Braided Row Diamond Engagement Ring.
Pave Edged Diamond Engagement Ring
This ring features an elevated center with two rows of pave-set diamonds, adding a modern twist.
Pave Edged Diamond Wedding Band
With pave-edged diamonds flanking a high-polish metal center, this wedding band is an ideal choice to transform our Pave-Edged Diamond Engagement Ring into an extraordinary engagement set.
Double Row Diamond Engagement Ring
Two rows of pave-set diamonds adorn the upper half of this petite setting
Double Row Diamond Women's Wedding Band
This wedding band mirrors the double row of diamonds found in our Double Row Diamond Engagement Ring, completing a stunning wedding set.