Choosing Your Wedding Rings

While you are enjoying the moment as an engaged couple on the path to marriage, it’s inevitable to have your big day coming to mind. One of the biggest steps in the wedding planning process is selecting the wedding rings you will wear as a married couple. This step typically occurs between 2-4 months before you wedding date to allow for time for engravings, fittings, and special orders as needed. Let’s go through the ins and outs of the wedding rings process.

1.) Decide whether you want buy engagement and wedding rings, the separate products themselves, have one of the couples wear both the engagement ring and wedding ring, or forgo it all together. Like many trends in the LGBT community, freedom of expression is encouraged and you should not be tied to down to any one particular option. Do consider the fact that wedding rings symbolize the level and value of the commitment to each other as well as a deeply spiritual connection to your lover.

2.)  During the upcoming months after the proposal, begin casually surfing the web and explore all of wedding rings options available. Things to look for in wedding rings include color (yellow gold, white gold, platinum, titanium and tungsten), gems (diamond is traditional if you have gems, but birth stones can be a nice touch as well), fit and shape (half-round, pipe, comfort-fit), finish (polished or brushed), and lastly unique accents (engravings, ring grooves, beveled edges).

The colors of wedding rings are traditionally one of the first three options listed, and usually match the metal of the engagement ring. All the other items on this list consist of a traditional first option to the most modern approach such as comfort-fit for fit and shape. You don’t have to have the same exact design as your bride or groom but you should have something that matches and signifies your partnership to them. For a more visual idea on wedding ring design, we recommend taking a look at this free design your wedding ring tool.

3.) At the 4 month mark before your wedding day or as soon as you feel comfortable with the design that best fits your budget, it time to get in stores and starting talking over the details and get fitted for finger size. When you get your ring finger measured, make sure to not exercise beforehand, during extreme weather, or early in the morning because of finger swelling associated with those causes. The best time to get fitted is in the early afternoon when you are calm and not stressed out.

We recommend visiting several jewelry stores for the best price, quality, delivery, and service. If you don’t know where to look, take a look at our vendor directory for options in your area or consult with your wedding planner. Wherever you decide to go, make sure they stand behind their work and have manufacturer’s and quality marks (24k or Plat for example) on the ring. If you decide on a two tone ring, make sure each metal has quality marks on it.

4.) Now that you know your design, got fitted, and have an idea of the prices, it’s time to find the ideal ring that fits your budget. Wedding rings begin at around $150 (gold) and continue to rise based upon your metal selection (platinum starts at around $600) as well as additions like diamonds mentioned in step 2 added to each band. Make sure to include things custom items like engravings, unique symbols (the Gay Pride downward pink triangle and Rainbow Flag colors are popular for lesbian couples), and other details that two-tone designs will need additional time to be completed.

Standard design wedding rings take 2-3 weeks to complete, custom ones must account for up to six weeks in waiting time. This is why we recommended 2-4 months before your wedding day to make sure that the wedding rings meet you standards and there are no hiccups in the process.

5.) When you go to pick up your ring, make sure to check that it fits and the design perfectly matches your request. You should not have to settle for wedding rings you are not absolutely thrilled about given that it will be the wedding rings you will wear for the rest of your lives. Make sure to store your wedding rings someplace safe for your wedding day, and give them to your best man or maid of honor on wedding day!