7 Tips on Shopping for Men's Wedding Bands
You've spent hours agonizing over the right diamond shape, clarity, and setting. You shook with nerves during the moments leading up to the proposal. And now, you and your fiancé are getting married. What's next?
Many men focus on the diamonds for their future spouse, while their ring is an afterthought to choose during the wedding planning process. But you deserve to have a ring that's just as stunning to signify your marriage.
Shopping for a wedding band can be quite the daunting task. Don't know where to start when shopping for men's wedding bands? This guide will give you seven tips to help you find the best men's wedding band for you.
1. Start Early
Even if the engagement ring with the big diamond gets all the attention, the men's wedding band is still an important piece of the marriage. Be sure to dedicate an ample amount of time to start and complete your search.
About three or four months before your wedding day is when you should ideally start looking for a ring. Once you choose your ring, it will take time to get made, sized, and shipped. Getting a ring from a custom handmade jeweler will take time.
A 3-4 month search allows for the completion of this process. It will also give some extra time in case there are any delays.
You'll want to make sure you get your wedding band with ample time before the big day. Make sure you try on your ring before the wedding to make sure it fits in case you need to resize it. Aim to have your wedding band in hand a month before the wedding so you can focus on the last-minute details of the ceremony and reception.
Even if the engagement ring with the big diamond gets all the attention, the men's wedding band is still an important piece of the marriage. Be sure to dedicate an ample amount of time to start and complete your search.
About three or four months before your wedding day is when you should ideally start looking for a ring. Once you choose your ring, it will take time to get made, sized, and shipped. Getting a ring from a custom handmade jeweler will take time.
A 3-4 month search allows for the completion of this process. It will also give some extra time in case there are any delays.
You'll want to make sure you get your wedding band with ample time before the big day. Make sure you try on your ring before the wedding to make sure it fits in case you need to resize it. Aim to have your wedding band in hand a month before the wedding so you can focus on the last-minute details of the ceremony and reception.
2. Find Your Size
The last thing you want is for your ring to slip off post-ceremony, so finding your correct ring size is essential.Patrick Adair Designs has an extremely helpful guide to finding your ring size.
You can find your ring size with common materials you probably already have in your home. Using a piece of string or a thin strip of paper, wrap it once around your finger. Do this close to the knuckle where the ring would sit. Use a pen to mark the spot where the ends overlap.
Next, measure this marked-off section in millimeters. Use a ring size chart to convert this measurement in millimeters to a numerical ring size. If you want to double-check, many jewelry stores can measure you for free.Patrick Adair Designs also offers a free ring sizing kit service.
The last thing you want is for your ring to slip off post-ceremony, so finding your correct ring size is essential.Patrick Adair Designs has an extremely helpful guide to finding your ring size.
You can find your ring size with common materials you probably already have in your home. Using a piece of string or a thin strip of paper, wrap it once around your finger. Do this close to the knuckle where the ring would sit. Use a pen to mark the spot where the ends overlap.
Next, measure this marked-off section in millimeters. Use a ring size chart to convert this measurement in millimeters to a numerical ring size. If you want to double-check, many jewelry stores can measure you for free.Patrick Adair Designs also offers a free ring sizing kit service.
The last thing you want is for your ring to slip off post-ceremony, so finding your correct ring size is essential.Patrick Adair Designs has an extremely helpful guide to finding your ring size.
You can find your ring size with common materials you probably already have in your home. Using a piece of string or a thin strip of paper, wrap it once around your finger. Do this close to the knuckle where the ring would sit. Use a pen to mark the spot where the ends overlap.
Next, measure this marked-off section in millimeters. Use a ring size chart to convert this measurement in millimeters to a numerical ring size. If you want to double-check, many jewelry stores can measure you for free.Patrick Adair Designs also offers a free ring sizing kit service.
3. Set Your Budget
Your budget is a personal decision. There's no minimum amount you have to spend to make a ring a wedding band, so don't feel peer pressured by others to spend more than you feel comfortable with. Choose a price that you feel comfortable paying and makes sense based on your wedding priorities. To figure out how much you should spend on your wedding band, check out our helpful guide, here.
A few factors could increase the price of your ring, and the brand is the first. Luxury brands will often cost more because you're paying for the name as well as the ring. Similar rings can cost differently based on the jeweler.Often, you get what you pay for. Luxury brands will generally use higher quality materials which also results in higher quality finishes.
The second, and biggest contributor, is material. Along with that, whether you have a plated ring or a solid material ring can also affect the cost.
Ultimately, whatever price you want to pay is fine; you can find a wedding ring in every price range.
Your budget is a personal decision. There's no minimum amount you have to spend to make a ring a wedding band, so don't feel peer pressured by others to spend more than you feel comfortable with. Choose a price that you feel comfortable paying and makes sense based on your wedding priorities. To figure out how much you should spend on your wedding band, check out our helpful guide, here.
A few factors could increase the price of your ring, and the brand is the first. Luxury brands will often cost more because you're paying for the name as well as the ring. Similar rings can cost differently based on the jeweler.Often, you get what you pay for. Luxury brands will generally use higher quality materials which also results in higher quality finishes.
The second, and biggest contributor, is material. Along with that, whether you have a plated ring or a solid material ring can also affect the cost.
Ultimately, whatever price you want to pay is fine; you can find a wedding ring in every price range.
4. Choose Your Material
Speaking of material, let's talk about what men's wedding bands are often made from. This may be the most important factor when it comes to wedding band shopping.
Of course, you have classic precious metals like a sterling silver and gold. And within gold wedding bands, you have rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold. With these materials, you'll want to research which one fits your lifestyle the best in terms of comfort, fit, durability, hypoallergenic, etc.
Platinum, palladium, stainless steel, and titanium are great traditional metals. Alternative metals like tungsten, Damascus steel, and ceramic are gaining popularity as well.
Titanium rings and tungsten wedding bands are very durable, but they're also unable to be resized. In contrast, softer materials like gold may get a few scratches but can be resized if needed.
Do some research on the pros and cons of common materials to see which ones fit your criteria. You'll also, of course, want to consider the color of the material for your wedding band.
Speaking of material, let's talk about what men's wedding bands are often made from. This may be the most important factor when it comes to wedding band shopping.
Of course, you have classic precious metals like a sterling silver and gold. And within gold wedding bands, you have rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold. With these materials, you'll want to research which one fits your lifestyle the best in terms of comfort, fit, durability, hypoallergenic, etc.
Platinum, palladium, stainless steel, and titanium are great traditional metals. Alternative metals like tungsten, Damascus steel, and ceramic are gaining popularity as well.
Titanium rings and tungsten wedding bands are very durable, but they're also unable to be resized. In contrast, softer materials like gold may get a few scratches but can be resized if needed.
Do some research on the pros and cons of common materials to see which ones fit your criteria. You'll also, of course, want to consider the color of the material for your wedding band.
Speaking of material, let's talk about what men's wedding bands are often made from. This may be the most important factor when it comes to wedding band shopping.
Of course, you have classic precious metals like a sterling silver and gold. And within gold wedding bands, you have rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold. With these materials, you'll want to research which one fits your lifestyle the best in terms of comfort, fit, durability, hypoallergenic, etc.
Platinum, palladium, stainless steel, and titanium are great traditional metals. Alternative metals like tungsten, Damascus steel, and ceramic are gaining popularity as well.
Titanium rings and tungsten wedding bands are very durable, but they're also unable to be resized. In contrast, softer materials like gold may get a few scratches but can be resized if needed.
Do some research on the pros and cons of common materials to see which ones fit your criteria. You'll also, of course, want to consider the color of the material for your wedding band.
5. Style and Finish
The material isn't the only decision you'll have to make about your wedding band. Just like engagement rings, men's wedding rings come in a variety of styles and finishes.
Patrick Adair Designs offers a multitude of styles and designs. From exotic glowstone inlay rings, solid meteorite rings, and our one-of-a-kind Signature Series, there are plenty of options to choose from.
The finish describes how polished the rings are. You can have a high polish that's smooth and glimmering or a matte look that has less of a reflection. Somewhere in the middle, there's a combination of finishes such as a satin finish.
You will also see options for a hammered finish, comfort fit, and beveled edges, which adds texture and detail to the ring.
The material isn't the only decision you'll have to make about your wedding band. Just like engagement rings, men's wedding rings come in a variety of styles and finishes.
Patrick Adair Designs offers a multitude of styles and designs. From exotic glowstone inlay rings, solid meteorite rings, and our one-of-a-kind Signature Series, there are plenty of options to choose from.
The finish describes how polished the rings are. You can have a high polish that's smooth and glimmering or a matte look that has less of a reflection. Somewhere in the middle, there's a combination of finishes such as a satin finish.
You will also see options for a hammered finish, comfort fit, and beveled edges, which adds texture and detail to the ring.
6. Consider Your Lifestyle
Before you fall in love with a ring, think about how it will fit into your lifestyle. If you work with your hands a lot, you'll want a ring that's low maintenance and more durable and resistant to scratches. Tungsten rings are great for this since they are both scratch resistant and won't tarnish.
Similarly, if you spend a lot of time in the gym, you'll want a ring that won't easily get dinged up. If you have an active lifestyle and a busy schedule, you won't want a material that will require much upkeep or maintenance.
Some of the best materials for durable wedding bands include carbon fiber, titanium, tungsten-carbide, and platinum.
Before you fall in love with a ring, think about how it will fit into your lifestyle. If you work with your hands a lot, you'll want a ring that's low maintenance and more durable and resistant to scratches. Tungsten rings are great for this since they are both scratch resistant and won't tarnish.
Similarly, if you spend a lot of time in the gym, you'll want a ring that won't easily get dinged up. If you have an active lifestyle and a busy schedule, you won't want a material that will require much upkeep or maintenance.
Some of the best materials for durable wedding bands include carbon fiber, titanium, tungsten-carbide, and platinum.
Before you fall in love with a ring, think about how it will fit into your lifestyle. If you work with your hands a lot, you'll want a ring that's low maintenance and more durable and resistant to scratches. Tungsten rings are great for this since they are both scratch resistant and won't tarnish.
Similarly, if you spend a lot of time in the gym, you'll want a ring that won't easily get dinged up. If you have an active lifestyle and a busy schedule, you won't want a material that will require much upkeep or maintenance.
Some of the best materials for durable wedding bands include carbon fiber, titanium, tungsten-carbide, and platinum.
7. Keep Your Spouse's Ring in Mind
Your wedding band symbolizes your love and marriage, so of course, you want to keep your soon-to-be spouse in mind when going wedding band shopping.
The two rings don't have to match exactly, but you'll want to coordinate with colors, materials, or style. You can also coordinate with the width of the rings. Or match them by having meaningful engravings on the inside.
You can find a way for your rings to complement each other in a way that complements your life.
Your wedding band symbolizes your love and marriage, so of course, you want to keep your soon-to-be spouse in mind when going wedding band shopping.
The two rings don't have to match exactly, but you'll want to coordinate with colors, materials, or style. You can also coordinate with the width of the rings. Or match them by having meaningful engravings on the inside.
You can find a way for your rings to complement each other in a way that complements your life.