It is a tradition that for many couples the engagement ring and wedding band signify love and commitment. To many people these rings and how they are worn serves as the identity of those people with regards to fashion and ETH class. Maybe you have just received an engagement ring or you are just planning to wear your engagement and wedding bands. Knowing how to wear them correctly will go a long way in appreciating its elegance.
Why Wearing Engagement and Wedding Rings is Significant
An engagement ring means commitment while a wedding band implies the actualization of that commitment. Altogether they symbolize love, commitment as well as partnership hence, when combined they form a single symbol. However, it is the manner in which you put on those rings that may differ according to custom, convenience and fashion.
In most cultures, the wedding band is placed and worn as close to the heart as possible and therefore it is placed on the left hand ring finger and the engagement ring is worn above it. However, due to changing fashions and different styles of the engagement and wedding bands there are several ways to combine both rings and retain their meaning and appearance at the same time.
Proper Way to Wear Engagement and Wedding Rings
As mentioned above, the general method of wearing both the engagement and the wedding rings is highly conventionalist. In many cultures, especially the western ones, the left hand is considered the ring hand as it was previously held that there was the so-called ‘vena amoris’ a vein which runs from the fourth finger straight to the heart.
Wearing Wedding Band vs Engagement Ring
Here’s a breakdown of the traditional vs. modern approaches:
- Modern Variations: Others like placing it on her fingers during special events or occasions only and or wearing it on the other ring finger allowing it to have even a more prestigious status of a single ring.
- Traditional wedding bands: They are pretty, but the contemporary buyer is likely to alter the appearance of the rings to his or her preference.
While tradition is beautiful, the modern wearer often customizes the look to suit their individual style.
Order of Engagement and Wedding Rings: What’s the Right Sequence?
The arrangement of the engagement ring and wedding band on the finger also depends on some beliefs and sentiments of the couples as well as the culture. Here are the most common options:Traditional Stacking:
Wearing of the wedding band also takes precedence of the engagement ring, placing the wedding band closer to heart. This is a way of telling potential grooms that their engagement is simply a precursor to the marriage.
Engagement Ring on Top:
Others choose to put the engagement ring on top since the ring is normally the more elaborate one and then it can dominate.
Separate Hands:
For some cultures, more so the contemporary brides, an engagement ring may be worn on the right hand with the wedding ring still placed on the left hand.
Ring Rotation:
Another tradition is the switching of the rings as for the position of the rings used in events of a certain type. For instance, the engagement ring may be a sign of the couple’s undying love when they go out for casual dates, while the wedding band is more prominent most of the time.
Placement of Wedding and Engagement Rings Across Cultures
Culturally, people of different nations have their own way on how and where engagement and wedding rings are worn. While the left hand is predominant in Western cultures, other customs include:
- Eastern European and Orthodox Traditions: In some of the Eastern European countries such as Russia, Greece and Poland the wedding band is placed on the right hand and the engagement ring can be switched to the same side after the wedding.
- German Traditions: Traditionally in Germany the engagement ring is worn on the left hand during the period of engagement it is moved to the right hand after engagement and worn together with the wedding ring.
Ring Stacking: A Stylish and Modern Approach
As the wedding, engagement and numbers of rings have become more individualized, ring stacking has become a trend of the engagement and wedding rings. Stacking is the ability to add extra bands to your engagement ring so as to come up with a unique look. That is why this trend is especially popular among brides who prefer a multi tiered hairstyle at their wedding.
How to Stack Engagement and Wedding Rings
Choose bands that enhance the metal and style of your engagement ring. An engagement ring made of platinum looks perfect when worn with a wedding band also crafted from platinum; the gold ring looks even more classical.
Others choose to alternate them when wearing the ring such as pairing them up. For instance, one could set a vintage style engagement ring introduced with an up to date simple design wedding ring to form an appealing blend.
Some of the couples prefer stacking their engagement ring and its counterpart with an anniversary band or an eternity ring. The rings can be completed with diamonds or gemstones, so, your ring pair will be even more meaningful and beautiful.
FAQs
- Can the wedding band be placed on the finger above the engagement ring or should it be placed below it?
As for the engagement ring and the wedding band, they are worn one below the other though this depends on the individual. Some opt to place it on top in case of bringing beauty and elegance into the plan.
- Is it possible to wear my wedding ring on the other wrist as the engagement ring?
Yes! There is a growing culture where many people wear his/her wedding band in the left hand while his/her engagement ring is in the right hand, especially for those in cultures where the wedding ring is placed on the right hand.
- Since I will have my engagement ring on the ring finger and my wedding band below it, what if my engagement ring and my wedding band don’t complement each other?
That’s perfectly fine! You are able to combine different metals and different kinds of rings through ring stacking. The most crucial thing is to achieve the unity of vision while selecting clothes that would represent the owner’s personality in the best possible manner.
- What is the right way to wash my engagement ring as well as my wedding band?
To clean the rings, one has to use mild dish soap together with warm water. More complex designs should be taken to a professional cleaner once a year at the very least.
- Is it acceptable to pull off an engagement ring as I decide to accompany my fiancé after the wedding?
Absolutely! It is common for many people to wear an engagement ring as a piece of jewelry after going for marriage. It also can be worn on the same finger with your wedding ring or on the other one for the versatility of the modern style.
Conclusion
Even though more and more males are adopting the new order of how the engagement ring and wedding band should be worn, it is up to an individual how to wear the two. There are no rules in how these tokens of love are to be showcased; from layering rings to respecting the traditions of one's' culture. It does not matter if you are a classic, romantic or eternal optimist – your choice of the ring should not be stereotyped at Lux Aura. No matter whether you decided to go the traditional way, and align your rings according to traditions, or develop your own personal vision of how the engagement ring and the wedding band should look like, the result will always be aesthetically pleasing and a symbol of your love.