If you’re about to get engaged, or recently got engaged, it’s time to start thinking about wedding rings—that is, the band you exchange during your ceremony as an enduring symbol of your commitment and marital status from that moment forward. You may be wondering if there is a “right” way to wear the wedding band—what finger does it go on? Should the wedding ring be worn on the right hand or left hand? Does the wedding band get worn in front of or behind the engagement ring?
What is the Traditional Way to Wear an Engagement Ring and Wedding Ring?
The answers are rooted in history. Exchanging wedding rings is an age-old tradition, dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Throughout the centuries, couples have worn wedding bands to symbolize their eternal love. The endless circle of a wedding ring was seen as a symbol of commitment and the promise of forever while the hole in the center was considered a gateway leading to the known and unknown. In ancient times, it was also believed there was a vein on the fourth finger of the left hand that connected directly to the heart. It was called the "vena amoris" which is Latin for vein of love, making it the ideal platform for a wedding band.
Today, there are no hard-and-fast rules on how wedding bands are worn, whether on their own or together with your engagement ring. Just know that some may not be aware you’re “taken” unless they see a wedding ring on your ring finger (the fourth finger) of the left hand. That’s the traditional spot for it, worn behind the engagement ring (the conventional thought is that the wedding band should be the ring you wear closest to your heart).
How to Avoid Ring Discomfort or Damage
While there is something to be said about living in the now, try to look ahead to the days after you have said the words “I Do”. When you and your partner are shopping for an engagement ring, take some time to also look at bands so that you can see how the two rings fit together stylistically and structurally.
In an ideal world, you will want your engagement ring and wedding band to sit flush to each other to avoid scratching, discomfort, and potential damage.
Often there is a matching band option for the engagement ring style you’re considering so take the opportunity to try the two on together.
If your rings are scratching, talk to your jeweler about your options. You can use a ring spacer, or you can solder the rings together. If you choose to solder, work with a jeweler that is trained to do this work.
Unconventional Ways to Wear an Engagement Ring and Wedding Band
Today, through the influence of social media, celebrity, culture, or any other driver of public trend – more and more people are using unconventional methods of wearing their engagement rings and wedding bands. There is no correct way to wear your engagement rings or weddings bands. It all depends on your personal preference. Here are some options:
Wear Your Wedding Ring on the Opposite Hand of Your Spouse
Which side does a wedding band go on? Well, as societies evolve, so do old adages such as “Left is Right, and Right is Wrong”.
In some European, Asian, and Latin American nations, wedding rings are customarily worn on the fourth finger of the right hand, instead of the left. In Sri Lanka, the bride wears the wedding ring on her left hand, while the groom wears it on his right. If you have a special connection to a different culture and want to adopt their traditions, go for it. It’s your story, and only yours.
Wear Your Wedding Rings on Your Dominant Hand
There are many different meanings and cultural reasons why people may wear their rings and bands on their right finger vs. their left.
In some cultures, such as India for example, the left hand is considered impure or unlucky. However, in other countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, it is customary to wear the wedding ring on your right. Either way, the hand you decide to wear your ring and band on is entirely up to you.
Wear Your Wedding and Engagement Rings on Opposite Hands
There are lots of reason why you might opt to wear a wedding band on a separate hand from your engagement ring.
If your engagement ring is an absolute stunner and/or rather large, you may want to wear it solo, without any distractions, making the opposite hand the logical home for the wedding band.
Those with short fingers may not like wearing more than one ring on the same finger, so in this case, you might wear the engagement ring on the ring finger of the left hand and the wedding band on the right hand’s ring finger.
For the simple and logical reason of the rings not sitting well on top each other causing scratching or discomfort, wearing your ring and band on separate hands may be the best way.
Only Wear a Wedding Band
Some brides opt to skip the diamond engagement ring altogether and just wear a wedding band. They are often motivated by practicality (two rings can feel like a lot to manage) and sometimes by frugality (shelling out for one ring vs. two tends to be an attractive proposition to those who are on a budget).
Others may prefer to wear their wedding band the majority of the time and add the engagement ring only on special occasions.
Wedding Band + Engagement Ring Order
Traditionally, brides wear the wedding band first (closest to their heart) followed by the engagement ring. However, you might wear your wedding band on top to symbolize your wedding band securing the promise you made by sitting on top of the engagement ring.
FAQs
Do the bride’s and groom’s wedding bands have to be a matching set?
Nope. Modern couples can select wedding bands separately based on their individual styles. But his-and-hers matching set abound at jewelry stores so if you like that option, go for it. For the person wearing both a wedding band and an engagement ring on the same finger, comfort should really the primary deciding factor (plus the two rings should complement each other in terms of aesthetics).
Can you wear a ring on your left ring finger if you are not engaged or married?
Of course. Why you choose to wear the jewelry the way you want is up to you. And if you are in a place where you just want to be left alone, then this is option is a great deterrent. Conversely, due to the nature of commonly known tradition, you may find it difficult to meet people if you are looking.
How should I wear my engagement ring during the wedding ceremony?
The bride can have a trusted bridal attendant hold the engagement ring for the bride to then slip on during the reception, so that the ceremony is all about the wedding ring exchange and there’s no awkward fiddling.
Clearly there are many different ways to wear an engagement ring with a wedding band and it’s up to you to land on the approach that feels right for you. Whatever you decide, be sure to get your wedding band and engagement ring insured by a reputable insurance company like Jewelers Mutual. Obtaining personal jewelry insurance through Jewelers Mutual is an affordable option that covers loss, damage and disappearances. You can check your rate by clicking the button below.
Celia Taghdiri, Feb 02, 2023. Updated by Sam Albertsen on Aug 10, 2024.