What Are Other Ways To Wear An Engagement Ring
After the wedding and throughout marriage, tastes and styles may change, and there are several ways to continue to wear engagement rings and wedding bands.
A traditional style is to wear both the wedding ring and the engagement ring on the same ring finger. Depending on the style of your engagement and wedding ring, this may mean the wedding ring first, followed by the engagement ring or as in some cases we’ve designed a wedding band to accentuate the top of an engagement ring.
Some choose to wear the wedding band solo on the left hand and keep their engagement ring on the right hand, or on another finger on their left hand.
One style we’ve seen grow in popularity is to add stacking rings to wear alongside and highlight their engagement ring, whether on the ring finger or on other fingers.
Another option is to solder the engagement ring and wedding band together so they become one piece of jewelry. If its known that theyre always going to be worn together, this makes a great choice since it will keep the rings perfectly aligned and can even represent the marital bond. This being said, we recommend that you try wearing both rings for some time before making the decision to solder them together permanently. Its always good to have the option of leaving your engagement ring at home, especially when travelling or engaging in vigorous activities.
Wedding band and engagement ring worn on the same finger.
Wearing an engagement ring alone on the ring finger.
Wearing No Rings At All
Now that weve covered what hand a wedding ring goes on and an engagement ring goes on, what about couples or cultures who arent interested in rings at all?
When it comes to wedding traditions, they can often serve as a guide, but nothing says you cant make up your own customs or follow a different path. There are plenty of couples out there who proposed without a ring or got married without wedding bands.
Non-traditional couples may opt for other symbolic gestures to represent their commitment. Some alternatives may include getting matching tattoos on their finger of choice, putting a down payment on their first house together, exchanging handmade trinkets, or gifting a family heirloom.
What Is An Engagement
An engagement is a formal agreement and a mutual promise of two people to marry. With an engagement, the couple testifies to their desire to marry. They are two people serious about pursuing the lifelong commitment of marriage and though they are not yet fully committed to marrying one another, they are escalating their intimacy to ensure that they can be suitable for one another. It does not matter whether the partners are the same sex or different sexes.
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Wedding Rings For Each Culture And Tradition
The desire to wear wedding rings on the right-hand finger varies by country. Thus, its safe to say culture does play a role in the choice of people to wear their wedding rings on the right-hand finger. Commitment is one thing thats the common purpose for wearing wedding rings in all cultures. This obvious situation is evident, regardless of whether or not people wear wedding rings on their right- or left-hand ring finger.
Can I Wear An Engagement Ring At My Wedding
You will exchange wedding rings with each other at your wedding, but is it okay to wear an engagement ring at that time? Here are some tips on whether or not you can wear an engagement ring to a wedding youre concerned about, and what to do if you do wear an engagement ring
Will you wear it at your wedding? Hows that for manners?
Whether or not an engagement ring is worn at a wedding is up to the person, and there are no specific manners or rules. Some people dont wear them because they get in the way of their wedding ring or they dont know what to do with them during the ring exchange. These days, theres a great way to make use of your engagement ring to enhance your wedding, called an engagement cover ceremony, which is a great way to make the most of your engagement ring. After the wedding ring exchange is complete, the engagement ring is again layered on top of the wedding ring, because the engagement ring is worn from the outside of the wedding ring, as a sign of eternal love.
What to look out for when wearing an engagement ring at a wedding.
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Does Religion Decide On Wich Hand You Should Wear Your Weddingring
If you wish to follow religion, you should wear your engagement ring on your right hand if you are catholic and on your left hand if you are protestant. In the Islamic world, there is not such a strong tradition regarding engagement rings as in the West.
In Jewish religion, the bride wears her wedding ring during the wedding on her right index finger, because it is the most prominent finger. After the wedding ceremony, the bride moves the band to her left ring finger.
The Wedding Ring Finger Meaning
Wedding rings are a sweet symbol of eternal love throughout history. “The tradition of wedding rings came about in Egypt, about 4,800 years ago,” Ghanimian says. “The circle symbolizes eternity, with no beginning or end. What most people don’t know is that the hole in the center of the ring also has significanceâit’s not just space, but rather a gateway or door. When you give someone a ring, it signifies immortal love.”
Couples typically exchange rings during their wedding ceremony, placing the ring on each other’s wedding ring fingerâthe fourth finger of the left handâafter saying their vows. As for determining what hand does the wedding ring goes on, the choice is really up to you. Traditions are nice, but etiquette rules have softened through the years.
There are no rules on which metal your wedding rings must be made of, or whether or not they should match. You can opt for simple bands or more elaborate ones with stones or designs. Some couples choose to have their wedding date or a romantic phrase inscribed in their bands.
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Rings Worn On The Left Hand
Brides and grooms in France, the Netherlands, the United States, Great Britain, Australia and many other english-speaking countries traditionally wear their rings on their left hands. This tradition stems from the ancient Greek belief that the vena amoris or vein of love connects the ring finger of the left hand to the heart.
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When To Remove Your Wedding Ring
When it comes to wearing a wedding ring, you might also want to consider all the scenarios in which wearing a wedding ring isnt the best idea if it can be easily stained, scratched, or lost during a given activity.
For example, if youre using harsh chemicals or other cleaning products, you might want to take your wedding ring off to avoid staining it. Washing the dishes, showering, swimming, or being submerged in water for an extended amount of time are some other instances where many people remove their rings. You also might take it off when exercising.
Of course, getting a wedding band that properly fits your finger is pivotal to ensure that the ring doesnt slip off naturally and get lost forever. If your rings dont fit when you receive them, or if their fit alters in the future, do consider getting your rings resized in order to ensure their safety. Furthermore, you may want to invest in wedding ring insurance in case anything ever happens to it.
Some couples even decide to have two different rings. They have the true wedding ring that was given to them on their big day. Then they have a cheaper option made of silicone or other material that they can wear during more extreme activities without concern of it getting damaged, scratched, stained, or lost.
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For the times you do take off your wedding ring, youll probably want to consider getting a holder for it to help you keep track of your loose ring.
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A Complete Guide To Promise Rings
The exact meaning and symbolism of a promise ring is fluid. For some, it is a pre-engagement ring, or its a symbol of friendship, and for others, it represents a romantic commitment without titles. We will explain everything you need to know about what a promise ring is, how you wear it, why you give it, and who you give it to.
Love, whether it is friendship, romantic, or platonic, is a beautiful thing. Many choose to mark this love with a promise ring. That promise can represent a monogamous commitment, mark a special occasion, represent a significant period of time, or simply be an expression of your heart. Promise rings are a beautiful way to celebrate your love, commitment, and unique story.
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Which Is The Wedding Ring Finger
So, which finger should I wear my wedding ring on? In Western cultures, couples exchange wedding rings after their vows during the ceremony. The wedding ring is traditionally worn on the left hand as this side is closest to the heart. A wedding band is usually worn on the fourth finger, commonly known as the ring finger.
Slightly confusingly, if youre used to counting from left to right on the left hand, the fourth finger is the digit fourth from and including the thumb. That is, its the finger between your little one and your middle finger. This tradition is said to date back to Ancient Egyptian
times when people believed there was a vein that ran from the ring finger directly to the heart. There isnt actually such a vein there, but symbolism endures to this day.
Wearing a wedding ring on the left hand also makes practical sense for many people. After all, 90% of us are right-handed so this makes it less likely the ring will snag or be damaged as we go about our daily lives. Theres nothing to stop anyone wearing a wedding ring on their right hand should they prefer though. In many cultures, including Jewish and Orthodox Christians, and in plenty of countries, it is traditional to opt the right hand rather than left for your wedding ring finger.
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Which Hand Does The Engagement Ring Go On
In Western countries, tradition suggests the engagement ring goes onto the fourth digit of the left hand. The tradition dates back to Roman times. In fact, they believed this finger had a vein that ran directly to the heart, the Vena Amoris, meaning a vein of love.
The fourth digit of the left hand is sometimes referred to as the third finger of the left hand. All sources agree on the left hand, the second-from-smallest finger. Remember, the ring finger is not the fourth finger as some sources suggest.
Engagement rings never go on the index finger, although some people choose to wear their rings on alternative fingers for specific reasons. Browse any engagement ring catalogue and you will see numerous examples of models wearing rings on the left hand ring finger.
For men and women, the engagement ring and wedding ring go on the left hand.
Some call the appropriate finger the engagement ring finger or refer to it as the wedding ring finger or marriage finger. All terms point to the same third finger of the left hand.
Which Hand Does A Wedding Ring Go On
As history has always been the significance of todays lifestyle, here also it plays a vital role in deciding the purpose and belief of adorning the wedding rings or engagement rings on different hands ring fingers.
Vena Amoris or Vein of Love is the conceptual argument that has been given for ages about the wedding ring finger on the left-hand ring finger and time has still not lost the essence of love and relationship as a sign of this fact. In the later years, this old fascinating tale has been debunked but as we all know once said, heard forever, it still remains in the minds of people whereas the tradition goes on till eternity. People who want to go their own way and replicate a different way of celebrating themselves and the world have always broken the myths about it and conjoined their sentiments in various aesthetic ways.
After many years, theres no such perfect engagement ring finger but most people are still following their old traditions whereas some tend to break the myths and celebrate in their own way. All the reasons behind wearing a ring on any of the hands dont generate from anywhere but from their belief and cultural symbolism behind them, which affects the adornment.
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Why Do We Wear Wedding Rings On The Left Hand
Most people in the United States know that its customary for a husband and wife to wear wedding rings and that these rings go on the ring finger of the left hand. But do you know why the wedding ring is on the left hand? And why people wear wedding rings at all? If not, learn all about the history of wedding rings in this article.
Faq About Wedding Rings:
Which hand does a man wear his wedding ring on?
Answer: A wedding ring is worn on the left hand of a man. Wearing a wedding ring on the left-hand finger is a symbol of strong moral character. Therefore, a man wearing a wedding ring on the left hand signifies commitment on the wearers part.
Which hand to wear a wedding ring?
Answer: The hand to wear a wedding ring depends on a persons culture. But, usually, its worn on the left hand. In the western culture, its typical for people to wear a wedding ring on the left-hand finger.
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What Is The Ring Finger
In many Western cultures, the ring finger is designated as the fourth finger on the left hand. The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on this digit originated from the belief that this finger has a vein running directly to the heart.
“Historically, wedding rings have been documented to be worn on every finger, even the thumb,” says jeweler Stephanie Selle. “Today, wedding rings are most commonly worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. But some countries including India, Germany, Spain, Norway, and Russia traditionally wear their wedding rings on their right hand.” Overall, it seems cultural traditions and norms set the standard for this custom. “It’s interesting that with all of the wedding traditions and trends that people decide to make their own in some way, the ring finger is one that most people keep,” notes Selle.
Meet the Expert
Stephanie Selle is a jeweler and jewelry history aficionado with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She is the owner of Washington-based With These Rings, a workshop specialized in helping couples forge their own rings.
Below, we delve into the intriguing story behind traditional ring finger placement and why you might choose to follow this custom. Plus, uncover other commonly asked questions and traditions behind engagement and promise rings.
BAILEY MARINER/BRIDES
What Finger Does A Promise Ring Go On
Unlike engagement and wedding rings, the promise ring is a tradition dating back to the 16th century that’s commonly misunderstood, since the ring used to signify the promise that an engagement would ensue. Now, that’s not always the case, since some couples might not be ready for impending marriage, but want to show their commitment somehow.
So, what is a promise ring exactly? Today, a promise ring can have any number of personal meanings typically it’s a symbol of an exclusive relationship and/or of love. “The gifting of promise rings has been an age-old tradition, for couples who are in a steady relationship, and symbolizing their newfound love and commitment to each other,” Lawler-Trustey says.
It can also mean the couple has promised to one day get married. Or in the case of purity rings, they may have promised to remain abstinent until their wedding day. Some believe promise rings are pre-engagement ringsâand while it isn’t always, it can be. “Many times, engagement rings inspire responses of ‘How did he propose, when’s the date, what are your colors and where are you getting married?’ If you don’t want to jump into the wedding planning process, a couple may choose to go with a promise ring,” Ghanimian says. “It’s a symbol that marriage is where the relationship is headed eventually, when you’re both ready.”
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In What Order Should I Wear Rings On My Ring Finger
Your engagement ring goes on your left hand ring finger, the same as the wedding ring. For that reason, on your wedding day youll have a couple of choices.
Lots of people stack their wedding and engagement rings and wear both of them on the left hand ring finger. In the UK, those with engagement rings wear them on top of the wedding ring, meaning that the wedding ring is placed on the finger first. This is because superstition states that the wedding ring should never be taken off.
Before you walk down the aisle, you should switch your engagement ring to your right hand. When the wedding ceremony is over, you can then slide your engagement ring on top of the wedding ring to seal it in place.
If you dont want to wear both your engagement ring and wedding ring on the same hand, there are a couple of things you can do.
You could move your engagement ring to the ring finger on your right hand, you could weld the rings together and create a bespoke ring or you could forgo wearing an engagement ring altogether.
Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is that you wear your jewellery in a way that is comfortable for you.
If you dont want to follow tradition, youre actually more than welcome to wear your wedding ring on your right hand. You make the rules!
But if you choose to wear your wedding ring on your right hand, youll be in good company! Married couples in the following countries tend to wear their ring on the right hand:
