There are so many small details to consider when planning the big day. After carefully selecting the perfect engagement ring or being surprised with the gem of your dreams, it seems difficult to leave it behind at the ceremony. On the other hand, the exchange of wedding rings is a beautiful and traditional part of weddings in many cultures.
We’ll clear up some misconceptions about engagement rings and help you make the best choice for your wedding.
History of Engagement Rings
The concept of the engagement ring may be thousands of years old. In fact, the earliest iteration of this tradition dates back to ancient Egypt.
Egyptian royalty believed that circular objects were symbols of eternity. Married couples exchanged rings crafted from braided reeds. Egyptian science was quite advanced for its time; they believed fingers on the left hand contained veins that connected all the way to the heart. Couples wore these reeds on their left fingers for this belief. We do the same to this day!
The Roman Empire featured its own engagement tradition: rings attached to small keys were given to wives, indicating the husbands’ ownership. Luckily the trend was redeemed in the 1400s when Archduke Maximillian of Austria commissioned the very first diamond engagement ring for his betrothal—the ultimate display of affection.
Europeans continued to offer up ornately designed rings for their fiances, peaking in style during the Victorian period. Many modern shapes and styles of cut can trace their roots to this time.
Diamond engagement rings were cemented in American culture forever with a De Beers Mining Company ad in 1947. “Diamonds are Forever,” and so is love.
How to Wear an Engagement Ring
As mentioned earlier, engagement rings are traditionally worn on the left hand—on the fourth finger, to be precise.
Ancient cultures believed this to be the finger containing vena amoris (or the vein of love). Other reports state that this tradition actually comes from the Church of England, deviating from the right hand in order to separate its customs from the Roman Catholic Church.
However it got started, many cultures identify this finger as “the ring finger.” The first thing that typically happens after someone pops the question is their fiance will put the brand-new ring onto their ring finger.
During a wedding ceremony, it is very common for the wedding band to be put on the same finger. After all is said and done, both rings are worn on the ring finger with the wedding ring inside of the engagement ring (so that it’s closer to the heart—aw!)
You may be wondering what the differences between the two rings even are.
Differences Between Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings
Engagement rings are typically the “showier” of the two. The most common styles of engagement ring feature a large diamond set atop a high-quality metal band.
- A solitaire setting only has one gem, fixed to the ring with four prongs.
- Halo settings encircle the center stone with tiny diamonds.
- Pave settings cover the entire band with sparkling jewels.
- Channel settings secure the diamond with two strips of metal.
- Bevel settings offer the most security by protecting most of the diamond, with a window on its top face.
- Split shank settings have the band split in two before joining again at the center stone.
- Three stone settings display—well, three stones.
There are many more variations, all special in their own unique way. Diamond Mansion’s Basic Guide to Diamond Education goes more into detail the benefits of each style.
Wedding rings are typically much more subtle. Many of them don’t contain diamonds or gems of any kind, but rather premium metal. Diamond-encrusted bands have become more fashionable for wedding rings, but the classic look is plain gold or silver.
Engagement rings tend to be of much greater value than wedding bands, even if the wedding ring features diamonds or other precious gems. Measuring by carat, there is no comparison. Younger couples are opting toward purchasing one single ring more frequently, representing both the engagement and the marriage with the same piece.
Options for Wedding Day
An engagement ring should never be an obstacle for a couple. It is a symbol of passion and commitment and requires no obligations. When navigating the right balance between tradition and convenience, the choices can be overwhelming. Here are a few options for what to do with your engagement ring when you walk down the aisle.
1. Move the Ring to the Other Hand
As the wedding ring is worn inside, a go-to option for many brides is to wear their engagement ring on the other hand. They will walk down the aisle with their engagement ring on, but this time on the fourth finger of their right hand. After the ceremony is over, the engagement ring can be placed outside of the wedding band on her left hand, at the bride’s convenience. Tradition is preserved, and the bride can still show off that bling.
2. Leave the Ring On
There is nothing wrong with leaving your engagement ring exactly where it is for the wedding. During the ring ceremony, the wedding band can be placed outside of the engagement ring and readjusted at a later time.
Of course, the bride-to-be could always remove her engagement piece during the ring ceremony and put it on immediately after the wedding band. Either way, this option allows for both rings to take in the spotlight on the finger they will remain on for many years to come.
3. Don’t Wear the Ring
A safe option might be to leave the engagement ring out of the ceremony altogether. The maid of honor could look after it until all of the pleasantries have ended. Keeping the ring in a locked box or safe at home is definitely a fool-proof method of safety assurance.
Diamond rings are not compatible with gloves at all. Vintage trends like long white gloves have made a comeback in recent years. Any engagement ring with prongs runs the risk of snagging on the fabric of a glove. Wearing it over the glove isn’t an option either, as that runs the risk of getting the ring stuck.
4. Use the Same Ring
The cost-effective approach is to use the same ring to signify engagement and marriage. Before the wedding ceremony begins, the engagement ring can be entrusted to the best man, maid of honor, minister, or anyone else directly involved with the ring ceremony. When the time is right, they will bring up the engagement ring to be offered in the exchange.
Should I Wear My Engagement Ring Down the Aisle
This question simply cannot be answered with a yes or a no. At the end of the day, whatever is best for the bride is best for everyone.
Sources:
https://www.americangemsociety.org/page/diamondasengagement
https://www.rd.com/article/history-of-engagement-rings/
https://www.insider.com/wedding-ring-on-fourth-finger
https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-ring-engagement-ring-etiquette art