It all begins with an engagement ring. You start by choosing a stone, metal, and ring design that suits your taste and personality. In the moment, most focus on how the engagement ring looks on their finger, including how much space it takes up and whether or not the metal matches their skin tone. But don’t forget about the other important piece of jewelry that comes at the end of your wedding journey – the wedding ring.
To create a cohesive and harmonious bridal set, give some thought to how your wedding ring will match your engagement ring. When choosing both items, there are various factors you should consider to ensure a seamless and visually appealing combination. It might seem like a monumental task – but don’t worry! We’ll cover everything you need to know about matching your wedding ring with your engagement ring.
Consider the Engagement Ring Style
Whether you already have your engagement ring or you’re just planning for the future, it’s essential to consider the style and design of both pieces of jewelry. For example, a vintage engagement ring with rose gold and an antique cut diamond might clash with a platinum wedding ring featuring a contemporary pattern.
There are various engagement ring styles, such as solitaires, halos, or vintage-inspired designs. Additionally, there are many metals, settings, and gems to pair with your ring. Certain styles and features complement one another best. We love a simple solitaire engagement ring with a delicate band paired with a halo wedding ring that perfectly surrounds the engagement ring’s center stone. Or how about this wedding ring stack – a modern square-cut diamond with a halo set on a pavé band paired with another trendy pavé band that serves as your wedding ring?
Remember, mixing and matching diamond cuts, gem colors, or even metal types is okay, but maintaining coordinated design and style is imperative.
Metal Type and Color Harmony
Speaking of mixing and matching your metals, it is possible. Many bridal sets tend to stick with the same metal types, such as yellow gold, for both the engagement ring and the wedding band. Or, they choose metals with a similar appearance, like white gold and platinum, which both have a silvery, cool aesthetic.
Nevertheless, those with a creative eye can choose mixed metal options for a cool and contemporary look. As long as the metal choices complement one another, that is. Yellow gold and silver metal, like platinum, are a classic combination. Yellow gold also works well with rose gold, as both have a warm tone. It’s important to note that you generally want to avoid mixing a more valuable metal with a budget metal, like platinum with sterling silver. Doing so can lessen the worth of the ring and jeopardize the ring’s longevity and durability.
While traditional choices like yellow gold and platinum remain popular, there’s a growing trend towards mixing metals for a more personalized touch. Rose gold, with its warm hue, has emerged as a favorite alongside classic yellow gold, offering a romantic and contemporary aesthetic. Also, tungsten rings, known for their strength and modern appeal, introduce a fresh dimension to metal combinations. Their sleek finish and resilience make them an attractive choice for those seeking durability without compromising style. When paired with metals like platinum or even silver, tungsten creates an eye-catching contrast that elevates the overall look of the bridal set. By carefully considering factors like color, tone, and durability, couples can create the perfect wedding ring combination for themselves which will match their taste and last long.
Enhancing the Center Stone
There’s a reason why many wedding rings are bands. It’s because the center stone of an engagement ring can make it tricky to create a bridal stack. The wedding band should aim to enhance the center stone, not compete with it. This doesn’t mean you have to choose a plain band, though.
Your wedding band could feature smaller stones that accentuate and maximize the brilliance of your center diamond. Pavé diamond wedding rings can be the perfect way to add more sparkle to your set without detracting from your engagement ring. Similarly, halo wedding bands, which typically fit on either side of an engagement ring to frame the center stone and band, add dazzle and opulence.
Finding the Right Fit
One of the reasons why it can be challenging to find a wedding band is that it needs to fit seamlessly against your engagement ring. You don’t want your wedding ring to rub against your original ring or not fit comfortably on your finger. Not all wedding bands sit flush against an engagement ring; there may be a small gap, but the larger the gap, the more bulky the set can feel and look.
If you have an intricately designed engagement ring or one with a prominent stone, you may need to find a curved or contoured band that matches your specific ring shape. Not only do these custom wedding rings provide a better fit, but they can make your combination of rings more visually appealing and cohesive.
Balancing Width and Proportions
Just like in a marriage, it’s all about balance. In terms of your bridal set, balance applies to widths and proportions. One ring shouldn’t overshadow the other. For example, if you choose a simple and minimal engagement ring, you may want something different than a three-tiered wedding band that overpowers it. Instead, try to select as similar widths as possible.
Customization and Personalization
Just as you can personalize your engagement ring, you can do the same for your wedding band. Engraving is always a popular choice and is an option for nearly any ring on the market.
Other couples chose a more bespoke route, picking meaningful gemstones or symbols in the design to add symbolism and uniqueness to their ring. You may even want to fully customize your wedding ring and design it from scratch; this way, you can make it exceedingly special while achieving the most harmonious fit possible.
A Match Made in Heaven
We know only some couples choose a bridal set, a pre-matched engagement, and a wedding ring set. Therefore, it’s essential to consider how your engagement and wedding rings should fit together when selecting both jewelry pieces. Consider the style and design, the seamlessness of the fit, the metal and gem type, and whether or not you want to personalize either ring. Choosing two rings that complement one another (much like you and your partner) will create a cohesive set that is both comfortable and beautiful.
Published by HOLR Magazine.