The Correct Way to Wear Your Wedding Rings
Getting married is complicated enough without having to worry about the placement of the rings. Is there even such a thing as a correct way to wear your wedding rings? For some cultures, yes.
According to Western tradition, wedding rings are typically worn by both men and women on the third finger of the left hand. Women tend to wear their engagement ring and wedding band on the same finger, with the wedding band beneath the engagement ring. This isn’t always the case, though.
Here’s what you need to know about wearing your wedding rings correctly.
What Is The Correct Way To Wear Your Wedding Rings?
The correct way to wear your ring depends heavily on which ring you’re talking about and where you’re from. Different cultures have different conventions for wearing wedding rings, dictated by both tradition and practicality.
What Are The Wedding Rings?
Before discussing the proper way to wear a wedding ring, it’s good first to have an understanding of the wedding ring sets. The idea of giving a ring to your lover as a symbol for your devotion has been around since the reign of Pharaohs in Egypt. Traditionally, there are two kinds of rings associated with matrimony.
The first is an engagement ring. Usually given by one member of the couple to the other (and usually from the man to the woman) at the time of engagement, this ring typically has a larger central stone, sometimes surrounded by smaller stones or an elaborate setting. It will typically be more expensive for its design.
The second is the wedding band. Both members of the couple wear wedding bands, as they are used to symbolize their union. These are generally more reserved and plain in design than the engagement ring, often a plain gold band that’s slightly thicker for the man than for the woman.
These rings are occasionally sold in matching sets, where the engagement ring and wedding band are designed to fit together, either by being shaped specifically to sit on the hand a certain way or in complimentary styles and colors.
Do You Wear Your Wedding Band On Top Or Bottom?
Typically, your wedding band should be on the “bottom,” or inside. This is to symbolize it being as close to your heart as possible. The engagement ring goes on top of the wedding band.
Some people choose to wear their engagement ring under their wedding band as another form of symbolization; they’re capping off the commitment they made with the engagement ring by sealing it with a wedding band.
There’s also a practical reason for choosing to put your rings on this way. An engagement ring is usually more elaborate than a wedding band, with more stones and a complicated setting. Because of this, it is more prone to becoming dirty or damaged. Wearing your engagement ring on top of your wedding band makes it easier to remove and clean.
Which Goes First: Engagement Or Wedding Ring?
Typically, a woman will receive her engagement ring first, and will wear it on the same finger she intends to wear her wedding ring on, as sort of a place holder.
Then, during the wedding, the wedding band will be placed in front of the engagement ring (as it would be awkward to reshuffle them mid-ceremony). Afterward, she may choose to rearrange the rings. In some instances, she may choose to move her engagement ring to her right hand pre-ceremony, and then move it over after the ceremony, which avoids the reshuffling.
When you’re putting them on day-to-day, your wedding ring will usually go first, then your engagement ring. Many wedding ring sets are designed to fit this way, and may be specially shaped to fit together.
What Finger Is A Wedding Ring Worn On For A Woman?
In most parts of Western culture, especially with the rise of popular media, the wedding ring is typically shown to be worn on the third finger of the left hand. This was originally because it was believed that this finger had a vein running through it that led directly back to the heart. We’ve since discovered that this isn’t true, but the sentiment and the tradition remain.
In some countries, such as in Russia, Poland, or Denmark, the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the right. This was because the right hand was traditionally associated with trust and honor, while the left hand was associated with dishonesty and (in somewhat extreme cases) witchcraft. Though these meanings have mellowed with time, the habit still remains.
It’s even traditional in some places, such as Germany and the Netherlands, to switch the ring from one hand to the other after the vows at the wedding. The couple will wear their wedding rings on their left hands at the start of the ceremony. During the vows, they will move them over to the right hand, as a symbol of their marriage officially being sealed.
Some people even choose to wear their engagement ring and their wedding band on different fingers. This is especially common if they aren’t a matching set, and so don’t sit together comfortably. You may also choose to do this if you simply don’t like the way they look stacked together.
To put it simply, the finger on which you wear your wedding ring depends heavily on your community and culture, as well as your personal preference.
Can I Wear My Wedding Ring Before I Get Married?
As mentioned, wedding bands are symbols of matrimony, and are usually used to indicate that a couple is officially married. So, it’s considered bad form to wear a wedding ring before you are married. Some superstitions and myths even call it bad luck to do so; you’re essentially “jumping the gun” on getting married, and presenting as overeager.
That being said, there’s nothing technically wrong with wearing your wedding ring before the actual ceremony takes place. Some people are just particularly excited to show off their custom sets of rings, and don’t want to have to wait after having them arrive. Others, amusingly, use them as a “repellent” for unwanted flirting and attention.
There’s also the practical aspect of making sure that the ring fits and is comfortable to wear for both of you. Seeing as you’ll hopefully be wearing it every day for the rest of your life post-ceremony, wearing it around for a few days pre-ceremony to test the fit is actually a reasonable idea, and gives you time to adjust it should there be any issues.
Still, it’s probably best not to wear your wedding ring consistently until after the ceremony, to avoid confusion. There are also some ceremonies which include a presentation of the rings, meaning you won’t be able to wear them on the day until after that portion of the marriage.
When Is It Okay Not To Wear Your Wedding Rings?
Though usually, a married couple will always wear their wedding rings, there are a few circumstances in which you may choose to remove them.
Some people choose to remove their wedding rings for practical things like cooking, cleaning, working out, or otherwise working with their hands. This prevents the rings from getting damaged or lost, and can actually prevent injury, should your hand rub up against something that may catch the ring or heat it up.
You will also be required to remove your wedding rings if you are having certain medical procedures done. This is because swelling is typical after many kinds of surgery and procedures like blood transfusions. Swollen fingers may have circulation issues if trapped by a tight ring, and it may mean the ring needs to be cut off. Pregnant women often take their wedding rings off for this same reason.
Of course, some people opt not to wear wedding rings at all. This may be due to a sense of privacy, a dislike of jewelry, or a dislike of the practice in general. Wearing your rings is a personal choice, and so it is perfectly acceptable to choose not to wear them at all.
Other Kinds Of Relationship Rings And Wedding Favors
Though we talk about them the most often, wedding bands and engagement rings aren’t the only kinds of rings given in relationships. There have been many other relationship favors over time, but the two most common for modern couples are promise rings and anniversary rings.
A promise ring is typically given before an engagement ring and may be more or less complicated, though it’s typically at a lower price point. These rings are popular with younger couples and long-term couples who are not yet ready for engagement, but want to show a commitment to each other anyway.
The promise ring is typically not worn after the wedding ceremony. Given sentimental attachment, though, many people will continue wearing their promise rings. In that case, it may be worn on the opposite hand or on top of the engagement ring, depending on its style and how well they fit together.
It’s also become quite a popular tradition to give rings on certain anniversaries, such as the fifth, tenth, or twentieth. These rings vary widely in style and material, and are typically a bit more of a fashion statement than anything else. They can be worn stacked with the other wedding rings or on separate fingers and hands.
Some couples may not use any kind of ring to symbolize their relationship. They may instead opt for another wedding favor, such as a bracelet, necklace, brooch, or other piece of jewelry. Some cultures even have specific garments that are worn instead of rings, such as certain head coverings or kinds of body art. These carry the same cultural significance as rings.
Conclusion
Strictly speaking, there’s no right or wrong way to wear your wedding rings. The way you choose to display your commitment to your partner is a personal choice, and if that means wearing your rings in an unconventional way, so be it!
If you are looking to follow tradition, then you can’t go wrong by simply choosing to wear your rings together on your third finger. This offers a classic, seamless look that shows off your beautiful bands. No matter how you choose to wear your rings, you should be happy and confident in them. Wedding bands are a symbol of your love, and as long as you are happy with them, you’re wearing them correctly.
