Wedding Planning, All About Wedding Rings
Monday, August 25th, 2008The wedding ring represents the enduring constancy of marriage. Rings are exchanged in wedding rites all over the world in both religious and civil ceremonies. While other materials have been used for wedding rings including ivory, leather, bone and glass, rings made of precious metals are the most commonly seen. The purchasing of the wedding rings is an essential item on the list for the big event. Finding the right rings can be a pleasurable task but somewhat overwhelming since so many styles are available from which to choose.
According to most wedding planning timelines, you can wait to shop for wedding rings until 4 months before the actual wedding date. By then, most of the stress-inducing logistics have been taken care of enabling the two of you to relax for a brief period. And that’s what shopping for wedding rings should be a time relaxing, quite time for the two of you to regroup before things really spiral out of control and tensions flare!
Wedding rings are meant to last a lifetime, so they should be chosen with care. Decide on a budget in advance so you can narrow down your choices. Once you start searching, you will be overwhelmed by the great variety of styles available. Without a budget to narrow your focus, decision making could be overwhelming. Look for rings that not only appeal to you but are comfortable to wear every day.
How do you find the right rings? Jewelry stores will highlight the latest styles, but many couple opt instead for traditional designs. Since wedding rings will be worn for a long time, hopefully decades, the style of ring should suit the wearer now and fifty years from now. The imput of both the bride and groom is important . This may be the only piece of jewelry a husband will wear so he should be satisfied with the final decision.
Do you prefer yellow or white gold or perhaps platinum? Do you want to include diamonds or other gemstones? Do you like filigree or scroll work? Perhaps you are more attracted to simplicity. Should the rings match or should each pick a preferred style? Non-matching rings are becoming a more common option.
The simplest of rings are plain gold bands, a narrow one for the bride and a wider band for the groom. Rings based on a cultural background are also quite popular. French rings are made from three bands that symbolize Faith, Hope, and Love. Puzzle rings made from intricate interlocking bands are often given to women from Greek and Anatolian cultures. Traditional Russian rings are also mult-iband rings with each band made of a different colored gold; white, yellow, and rose. Most Jewish rings are inscribed with Hebrew scripture. Irish Claddagh rings are quite popular . These rings bear the symbol of two hands clasping a heart with a crown above to represent the phrase “let love and friendship reign.”
Engraved inscriptions are often added to wedding rings. They can be as simple as the date of the wedding but anything can be added if it can be be fit in the provided space. Once a final choice is made, it is important to go over the receipt and paperwork before making a partial or full payment. Wedding bands are an important purchase so insurance might be a consideration. The jeweler will also be happy to provide instructions for their proper care. The end result should be something that a couple can consider a reflection to their commitment to each other.