Planning a wedding is a notoriously trying task for not only the engaged couple, but for their friends and immediate families as well. There is a great degree of expectation that comes with the planning and execution of a wedding, and for that reason, it is possible for tensions to run high over seemingly small details, such as who to order the flowers from, the number of guests to invite, or even details such as place settings for the reception.
There is one decision however, that does need not be challenging, or involve anyone but the bride and groom: The selection of the rings.
A wedding band is at once an extremely personal item, and a very public statement. It signifies commitment and devotion to that one special person with whom you have chosen to spend the rest of your life. As an extension of that symbol, couples frequently elect to wear matching wedding bands to illustrate their unity as a married couple.
His and hers matching wedding bands are a popular feature of most jewelry designers’ and retailers’ collections, reflecting the popularity of the concept. As a result, couples can be assured that they will have a wide and varied selection of rings to choose from that are priced to work with several different budgets.
This is true whether you want relatively inexpensive or cheap matching wedding bands, or the most elaborate matching diamond wedding bands, you will be able to find several options that are just what you are looking for.
Another popular practice is the presenting of an engagement ring, which is worn, most often, by the woman in the relationship. Many women prefer to have an engagement ring that can be worn as an extension of the band, once the marriage has taken place.
These rings do not have to be perfectly matching, but obtaining matching wedding band sets that include the engagement rings is a possibility. These sets are frequently referred to as Three Piece Ring Sets.
One may go about obtaining a three piece ring set in a number of ways. Generally at the time of proposition, the wedding bands will not have been selected yet. In addition, most couples prefer to shop for, and select their rings together after they have become engaged. If this is the case, the proposal could take place with a different ring, and the engagement ring, along with the matching wedding band, could be selected after the fact.
Occasionally it is also possible to make an arrangement with the jeweler to purchase the engagement ring first, and then obtain the remainder of the set at a later date, since quite often the ring size will need to be adjusted slightly for the individual who wears it, implying a necessary follow-up visit to the jeweler.
Some popular materials for his hers matching wedding bands include the following: Gold, white gold, and diamonds. The advantage to selecting the material and the general design of the rings is that they can coordinate and clearly be part of a set without having to be identical.
For instance, with gold or white gold matching wedding bands, the man’s ring will frequently be a more chunky, masculine design than the woman’s, whereas the woman’s ring is more often a more delicate design, featuring slightly less material, but slightly more detail. Similarly, if a couple chooses to purchase diamond bands, the diamonds will frequently vary in cut and size from the man’s and the woman’s ring, to reflect the different sizes and textures of their hands and fingers.
Obtaining his and her matching bands can be done in a number of ways. The traditional method, of visiting a jeweler, viewing and trying on various possibilities, and working with that same jeweler during the sizing and adjustment process, remains the most popular one. It is not, however, the only option.
With the growing popularity of e-bay and other online retailers, it is now possible for couples to customize their jewelry online, or even make bids on vintage jewelry, ensuring that they receive exactly what they want, down to every detail. The disadvantage of the online process of ordering wedding rings is that you will never deal with anyone directly or in person, and when dealing with a subject as personal, and an investment as large, as jewelry, and particularly matrimonial jewelry, it is often reassuring and helpful for couples to work with the provider on a more personal basis.
Regardless of how you choose to go about selecting your rings, always be sure to allow enough time, and see enough options, to be sure that your decision is being made for all of the right reasons, since this is one piece of jewelry that you will wear for the rest of your life.
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