You've put a lot of thought into the ideal engagement ring, and now it's time to pick out the equally-perfect wedding ring to go along with it—and we've got all the help you'll need. Before saying "I do,” check out our guide on every important factor to consider when choosing your perfect match.
1. Narrow Down Your Wedding Ring Choices
Diamonds or gemstones, platinum or gold—narrowing down your ring options may seem overwhelming. Work out these kinds of questions beforehand so you can zero in on exactly what you're looking for, then start shopping around.
2. Consider Buying Your Ring and Your Bands Together
If you have a unique engagement ring, you may want a simple, no-fuss band, whereas a simple engagement ring may call for the added sparkle of a diamond pavé band. If you're planning on wearing your engagement and wedding ring side by side, 24/7, look for a contour or shadow band designed to interlock with the matching engagement ring. If you're planning on wearing your wedding ring alone, you may want a more intricate style that will look great with or without your engagement ring.
3. Keep Your Lifestyle in Mind
Remember: You're going to wear this band every day, so the goal is to choose something that seamlessly becomes a part of your life. If you play sports or an instrument, a slimmer ring with rounded edges (appropriately called the "comfort fit") may make the most sense. If you work with your hands, you may want to search for a simple, solid metal ring and avoid gemstones that can come loose, or carvings which can trap dirt. If you're super-active, go for platinum, which is so durable that when scratched, the metal is merely displaced and doesn't actually wear away.
4. Size It Right
Most people rarely take off their wedding bands; they wear them through summers, winters, exercise, pregnancies—all times when your fingers swell and contract from heat, cold, water retention, or weight gain. To find the right size that will best weather all of those changes, schedule your final ring fitting at a time when you're calm and your body temperature is normal. That means you should never finalize first thing in the morning (you retain water from the night before), right after you've exercised (fingers swell) or when you're extremely hot or cold (which can cause your hands to expand and shrink).
5. Check for Quality
Quality control applies to all rings, not just your wedding bands. Make sure the ring has two marks inside the band: the manufacturer's trademark (this proves they stand behind their work) and the quality mark, 24K or PLAT, for example (this proves the metal quality is what the retailer says it is).