Saying ‘yes’ to a marriage proposal means a sparkling rock on your ring finger, and when you say your vows on your wedding day, you get a wedding band to symbolise the union. While traditions vary around the world, engagement and wedding rings are common, traditional symbols of love and commitment with rich historical and often highly personal and emotional significance.
But now you have both rings on your finger, you might be wondering how exactly to wear wedding and engagement rings.
In this blog, we’ll talk you through traditions, wedding set etiquette, and modern approaches to wearing your rings.
The Vein of Love and the Left Hand Ring Tradition
In many Western cultures, the traditional way to wear a wedding and engagement ring is on the fourth finger of the left hand. This custom can be traced back to the ancient Romans. They believed that this finger housed the ‘vein of love’, which ran directly to your heart. Naturally, wearing your engagement and wedding rings on this finger became a symbol of the love between you and your significant other.
Since then, modern anatomy has proven that all our fingers have veins connecting to the heart. And the vein of love is just a myth. But modern science has not stopped the romantic symbolism when it comes to rings and the tradition continues. Across the world, couples wear their wedding and engagement rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, including in the USA, UK, Canada, France, South Africa, and more.
Ring Stacking Order: Which Ring Goes First?
What’s the correct ring stacking order for your engagement ring and wedding band? Traditionally – and most commonly – people wear their rings with the wedding band at the bottom and the engagement ring stacked on top. This order is the most popular, because it puts your wedding ring (which represents your marriage) closest to your heart.
Wedding Set Etiquette During Your Wedding Ceremony
If you’re getting married, you might be wondering what you should do with your engagement ring during the ceremony. There are plenty of options to consider, and whether you wear it is up to you. You could:
- Wear your engagement ring on the other hand: This option will leave your left ring finger free for your wedding band to go on first.
- Stack your wedding band on top: If you want to wear your engagement ring on your left hand during your ceremony, then consider stacking the wedding band on top instead. You can always switch them back around later if you want to follow the traditional ring stacking order.
- Don’t wear your engagement ring: If you’d rather not worry about your engagement ring at all during the ceremony, you can opt not to wear it. Leave it at home in a safe place or give it to somebody you trust for safe keeping.
- Place both rings during the vows: Instead of just placing your wedding band on after saying your vows, have your partner place both your wedding band and your engagement ring on your finger.
What About an Eternity Ring?
If you’re planning to add or already have another ring to add to your collection, there are several stacking options to consider. Eternity rings and anniversary bands are two of the most common types of rings to add to your fourth ring finger (or whichever finger you wear your wedding and engagement rings on).
Most people wear their eternity ring on top of their stacked wedding band and engagement ring, sandwiching the engagement ring in the middle. However, you might want to place it at the bottom and wear your rings in order from newest to oldest, with the wedding band in the middle and your engagement ring on the top. Or you can put the eternity band at the top and wear your rings in the order you were given them, with the engagement rings at the bottom and wedding band in the middle.
Modern Trends and Personal Preferences
More and more couples are choosing comfort, personal style, and self-expression over traditions when they decide not only what type of engagement and wedding rings to wear, but also how they want to wear them. Some popular modern trends that you might like include:
- Create a personalized and unique ring stack by combining different ring designs, metals, and textures.
- Choose an understated, timeless look by opting for a simple solitaire setting or a more delicate band.
- Opt for a statement piece to express your individuality, such as a ring with a thicker band or an oversized gemstone.
- Stand out from the crowd by ditching the diamonds and going for a coloured gemstone like a sapphire, emerald, or ruby.
- Set an elongated diamond horizontally on the band rather than vertically for a modern twist on a traditional design.
- Pay homage to wedding and engagement rings of the past by choosing a vintage design like filigree, art-deco, or intricate detailing.
- Make an ethical and sustainable choice by opting for lab-grown diamonds rather than traditionally mined.
- Consider practicality and ease of wear by picking a matching engagement and wedding ring set designed to be worn together.
Practical Tips for Wearing Your Rings
While style and tradition are important, it’s also crucial to consider these practical tips when you wear your wedding and engagement rings:
- Sizing: Make sure that you size your rings correctly. Check the sizing before your wedding, especially if you have experienced any weight changes since purchasing the ring.
- Comfort: Consider the design for daily wear when choosing an engagement or wedding ring. High-set stones, for example, may look stunning but can be impractical if they catch on things often.
- Activities: If you take part in activities where rings could be damaged or cause injury like playing sport, consider the ease of removing and storing them for this purpose. Temporary replacement silicone bands can be worn instead.
Whether you want to follow the left hand ring tradition and formal wedding set etiquette or prefer to come up with your own unique ring stacking order on a different finger is up to you. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how you wear wedding and engagement rings. The main thing is that they’re personal to you and your love story, and of course, bring you joy!
No matter how you want to wear your rings, browse the range today and find your perfect fit at Vinny & Charles.
