Are wedding bells ringing in your head? If marriage is fast approaching your life, there's bound to be a question in your mind: what's the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding band? Can you use the same ring for both? What exactly is the tradition in these cases?
So that you don't have any questions when the most special moment of your life approaches, we have taken it upon ourselves to investigate and make it very easy for you. At Planderful we know that everyone wants to have a perfect wedding, with all the details taken care of to the extreme, and we try to make it happen! Read on and find out everything you need to know about engagement rings and wedding bands. But let us tell you one thing: they have nothing to do with each other.
The engagement ring
The engagement ring is a symbol, a gesture that the groom usually has with the bride when asking for her hand. It should precede the engagement, symbolizing the love that the man feels for the woman. It is a way of asking the other person if he/she wants to carry out the engagement and if he/she wants to become a married couple. However, it does not imply that this step will take place in a short period of time. There are those who extend this request for years because they want to get married in specific circumstances, for example.
According to tradition, the engagement ring should ideally be made of gold or silver, with a precious stone in the middle. It is what is known as a solitaire ring, and you can find more classic designs and others much more modern. If you are looking for a style that you can never go wrong with, go for a white gold ring with a diamond that shines brighter than the sun itself. Although the perfect design will depend a lot on the style of each couple and, above all, of the bride.
This ring should be quite striking. So much so that some say it should cost a large budget. The truth is that right now there are ideal options on the market that do not necessarily cost a lot of money, so do not worry about this! It is important that you go to a trusted jewelry store since you will know that you are paying for the quality you are really getting. At Planderful we will be able to help you choose your next quality engagement ring.
The bride can wear the engagement ring until the wedding finally takes place when she is supposed to move on to wearing the engagement ring. Some people decide to combine both of them in order to carry with them two special moments of their life.
Wedding band
On the other hand, we found the wedding band. Normally, this should be given as a gift at the wedding proposal. The proposal is usually considered a more or less formal act, in which the families are informed that the couple is getting married.
Ideally, it should be more discreet than the proposal, with a much more sober style. After all, it is a ring that the bride will have to wear for a long time and ideally she should not get tired of it in the short term. That is why a simple white gold or platinum ring is usually chosen, perhaps with a diamond setting. It is at this time that the bride usually entertains the future husband with detail, such as a watch or cufflinks.
Nevertheless, rules are made to be broken. Maybe you want to skip the engagement ring and invest a little more in a stunning wedding band that your partner can wear for a lifetime. Or maybe you want to look for an engagement ring that can also double as a wedding band, making it much more versatile. The key is to find the perfect piece of jewelry, both in quality and design.
So what is the main difference?
As we have seen, the fundamental difference between these two types of rings is the moment in which they are given. There are other peculiarities that depend, above all, on the tastes of the particular couple. Tradition dictates that the wedding band should be simple and sober, while the engagement ring should be more colorful. But the truth is that, right now, there are alliances with precious stones capable of overshadowing any classic solitaire.
What's more, it will be easier and easier to find engagement rings with a special design. If you do not like diamonds, for example, you can choose between emeralds, rubies, sapphires, or whatever you need! The limit will be your imagination and your desire to wear something totally unique.
The formulas have changed, and more and more brides and grooms are deciding to innovate in this regard. In the end, we are talking about a ring capable of symbolizing all the love that a couple feels, and it is this magic that will make the one you choose unique, regardless of whether or not it fits in with tradition!
On which finger should they be worn?
Another big question that often comes up at this time is: on which finger should the engagement ring go? And the wedding band? Let's solve it too!
First of all, the engagement ring is supposed to go on the ring finger. Many traditions believe that there is a connection between this finger and the heart. So much so that the Romans called the 'vena amoris' or vein of love the vein that connects this finger and the heart. The engagement finger is supposed to be on the right hand and should remain there until the wedding day. From then on, it will be the wedding band that occupies the ring finger of the right hand. In effect: the finger on which both go is the same.
Many brides want to continue to wear the engagement ring, and there are several alternatives for combining the two. The most common is to put the engagement ring on the left hand and leave it as a decoration, although much more symbolic than the rest. There are also those who look for couplings so that both rings can go on the same hand. The ideal thing you should do is to find a solution that fits well with your style and thus enjoy the memory of one of the most special moments of your life.
Finally, if you are looking for both a solitaire ring and a wedding band, you can visit our catalog. Remember that you can also contact us for any questions or particular requests.
