Today we're taking a closer look at how to pair a wedding band with an engagement ring.
Are wedding rings supposed to match your engagement ring?
Whether your engagement and wedding rings should match all depends on your preferred style. If you like a neat, co-ordinated pairing, then you may prefer that they match in a traditional sense, either as an intentional 'set' or more generally through the use of similar materials to achieve a similar look. Ultimately though, it is not essential that a wedding band and engagement ring match in this way.
It is more important that your wedding ring complements your engagement ring so that they look cohesive and beautiful together, and that they wear well together in a practical sense. This can take many forms, including a contrasting effect if it feels right for your own personal style.
The likelihood is that your engagement ring will still take centre stage, but even this is not a set-in-stone approach, especially if you have gone for something simple and delicate for your engagement ring and are looking to pair it with a wider or more sparkly wedding ring.
Tips for choosing a wedding band to go with your engagement ring
Keep an open mind
The first step is to keep an open mind to a variety of options, especially if you don't have one 'ideal' wedding band design in mind. This allows you to take note of ideas, styles and pairings as they present themselves rather than automatically discounting all of the possibilities open to you. It is always surprising how different a ring pairing can look and feel on you versus looking at images online!
Consider the cut and design of your engagement ring
The design of your engagement ring is going to have a big impact on the overall look of your pairing. For example, there is some depth to a marquise engagement ring or a large oval diamond that will dominate the available space, meaning that a wedding band will create an entirely different look in this pairing when compared to the same wedding band and a smaller round stone. Likewise, a solitaire engagement ring will sit differently alongside a wedding band to a cluster or halo engagement ring.
Browse some images of engagement rings that look like yours in different combinations to get a feel for how your ring may sit with others.
Consider how your engagement ring stone is set
If your engagement ring uses a centre stone or multiple stones, take note of how they are set. A high set or 'wedfit' engagement ring will likely allow you to have a straight band without any clashing or gapping, if that is what you are looking for. If your ring is lower set, then exploring differently-shaped wedding ring options such as an open band or a contoured band may work better. You can also choose to embrace some gapping between the rings as part of your stack, of course!
Ask for advice from your jeweller
Your chosen jeweller will likely have plenty of experience with different engagement and wedding ring combinations, so don't be afraid to ask for their advice or opinion. If you are returning to the jeweller that made your engagement ring for your wedding bands, you may even find that there are certain styles that have been designed with your ring in mind and make a perfect match.
When we hold wedding ring consultations at Wild Fawn, we're always happy to offer our own advice on what we've seen work well with engagement rings like yours, as well as which might work for your tastes and lifestyle.
Try on different styles
Make sure you give yourself the chance to try on some different types of wedding bands with your engagement ring to get an idea of what you like in person. It's difficult to really understand what a wedding ring will look like on an individual image, so seeing it on your finger alongside your engagement ring is key to guiding your thoughts. It's worth trying on some different designs that you haven't considered as well as ones you have to get a feel for them.
Take note of the widths
A piece of popular advice says to match the thickness of your engagement and wedding ring bands to create a neat, uniform look. However, varying the widths can also create an elegant pairing, so this is not a rule as much as a preference. It is worth taking note of though - for example, if something looks 'off' to you and you aren't sure why, try a width that matches your engagement ring to see if this helps create more cohesion in the pairing.
Compare metals
Remember that because your wedding and engagement rings will be worn alongside each other, there is the potential for one to rub against the other. Depending on the materials - both metals and gemstones - this can cause some wear over time. For this reason, it's important to consider the metals that both rings are made of.
If longevity is your top priority, then it is advisable to match the metals of your engagement and wedding ring so that one is not left open to wear from the other.
Can you mix metals with engagement ring and wedding band?
As with all things weddings, there's no true hard and fast rule on mixing metals, so if you understand the advice around keeping both safe, and mixing metals remains your personal choice, go for it!
However, we do recommend sticking to precious metal types of the same hardness so that you can still enjoy the mixed metal look and protect your jewellery. This is an important consideration for 'forever' jewellery that will be worn daily rather than something that is only removed from the box on special occasions. For example, if you have a white gold engagement ring and want to pair it with a different tone, yellow gold would be a good choice, given that they rank closely on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
Find the right wedding band for your engagement ring
At Wild Fawn, we love creating our ethical wedding rings because of the meaning and significance they bring to you as a couple. With a range of styles and widths to choose from as well as a bespoke wedding rings service, we're sure we can help with a wedding band that will pair perfectly with your engagement ring to create a bridal set that feels right for you.
