What is the Significance of Matching Wedding Bands?
What is the Significance of Matching Wedding Bands?
The first recorded use of rings dates back more than 5,000 years to ancient Egypt. Throughout history, rings have been used in trade and business. They represented symbols of status and of course as outward indicators of commitment between two people.
The meaning behind matching wedding rings has a storied history as well. In general, they symbolize love and devotion between two individuals. But they can also represent your tastes as well as details of the unique relationship you have with your spouse.
Wedding rings are a symbol that you and your partner will both display for the rest of your lives. You want the selection to be meaningful in reflecting who you are and what you mean to one another. Keep reading to find out the implications of choosing matching wedding bands, as well as other information to help you decide on the right matching set.
History of Wedding Rings
Rings have been around since at least the third millennium BCE, which is around the time of the Early Bronze Age. Civilizations in western India may have been the first to design rings used as jewelry.
Rings were found in the Egyptian tombs that dated back to 2500 BCE. Ancient writings reveal that they viewed the circular objects as symbols of unending love and devotion.
Ancient Egyptians also held that the “ring finger”--the fourth finger on your left hand--was the location of a vena amoris, or “vein of love." They contended that it connected directly to the human heart.
The Romans adopted this idea as well, passing it along into modern history. Although anatomically inaccurate, this tradition remains popular in western civilization today.
The Tradition of Wedding Rings
Wedding rings were most likely first used during the Byzantine and Roman Empires. The style and ceremony surrounding the use of wedding rings have changed over time, although many original traditions have persisted in one form or another.
For instance, at varying points in history, it was common for men's wedding bands to depict themselves directly on the jewelry. This included visages of the individuals who wore them or religious figures.
While it may be uncommon today for wedding rings to contain stones or gems like diamonds, that has not always been the case. Medieval and Renaissance-era wedding rings often contained rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, much like today’s engagement rings.
Many people do not know that before World War II, it was common in the United States for only women to wear wedding bands. Servicemen overseas began wearing wedding bands as a reminder of their loved ones back home. Since then, it has become standard for both partners to wear wedding bands, whether matching or not.
The point is that what is “traditional” has changed over time. There are no set rules on what your wedding ring can look like and whether or not you need to get matching wedding bands.
Wedding rings were most likely first used during the Byzantine and Roman Empires. The style and ceremony surrounding the use of wedding rings have changed over time, although many original traditions have persisted in one form or another.
For instance, at varying points in history, it was common for men's wedding bands to depict themselves directly on the jewelry. This included visages of the individuals who wore them or religious figures.
While it may be uncommon today for wedding rings to contain stones or gems like diamonds, that has not always been the case. Medieval and Renaissance-era wedding rings often contained rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, much like today’s engagement rings.
Many people do not know that before World War II, it was common in the United States for only women to wear wedding bands. Servicemen overseas began wearing wedding bands as a reminder of their loved ones back home. Since then, it has become standard for both partners to wear wedding bands, whether matching or not.
The point is that what is “traditional” has changed over time. There are no set rules on what your wedding ring can look like and whether or not you need to get matching wedding bands.
Wedding rings were most likely first used during the Byzantine and Roman Empires. The style and ceremony surrounding the use of wedding rings have changed over time, although many original traditions have persisted in one form or another.
For instance, at varying points in history, it was common for men's wedding bands to depict themselves directly on the jewelry. This included visages of the individuals who wore them or religious figures.
While it may be uncommon today for wedding rings to contain stones or gems like diamonds, that has not always been the case. Medieval and Renaissance-era wedding rings often contained rubies, sapphires, and diamonds, much like today’s engagement rings.
Many people do not know that before World War II, it was common in the United States for only women to wear wedding bands. Servicemen overseas began wearing wedding bands as a reminder of their loved ones back home. Since then, it has become standard for both partners to wear wedding bands, whether matching or not.
The point is that what is “traditional” has changed over time. There are no set rules on what your wedding ring can look like and whether or not you need to get matching wedding bands.
Wedding Ring Styles
All manner of materials has been used to form wedding bands, including wood and leather. Of course, gold wedding bands have been the go to throughout most of history.
Until recently, your options for materials were limited to yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, silver, platinum, and diamond rings. These metals are still popular choices today for those that want a classic look, but are on the more expensive side.
Nowadays, there are many alternative choices including carbon fiber, ceramic, tungsten, titanium, steel, etc. Even wood has returned as a popular alternative to traditional medals.
Many people choose to engrave messages on their wedding bands. This can be a quote, poem, or personal sentiment. It is most often etched on the inside of the band, but some people choose to have it on display on the outside.
Some bands--especially on women’s wedding bands--can be too small for an engraved message. If you think this is something that is important to you, be sure to select a band with a width that can accommodate the engraving.
All manner of materials has been used to form wedding bands, including wood and leather. Of course, gold wedding bands have been the go to throughout most of history.
Until recently, your options for materials were limited to yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, silver, platinum, and diamond rings. These metals are still popular choices today for those that want a classic look, but are on the more expensive side.
Nowadays, there are many alternative choices including carbon fiber, ceramic, tungsten, titanium, steel, etc. Even wood has returned as a popular alternative to traditional medals.
Many people choose to engrave messages on their wedding bands. This can be a quote, poem, or personal sentiment. It is most often etched on the inside of the band, but some people choose to have it on display on the outside.
Some bands--especially on women’s wedding bands--can be too small for an engraved message. If you think this is something that is important to you, be sure to select a band with a width that can accommodate the engraving.
Choosing Matching Wedding Bands
Even if you choose matching wedding bands, that does not mean they have to be completely identical. The biggest reason couples choose to go with matching wedding band sets is to show they are on the same wavelength as each other. Other couples choose to have distinct rings that have matching characteristics, like material or design, but that are also unique to each wearer. This can be a way of reflecting the union and individuality.
How you wear your ring can be unique to your relationship as well. For example, although it is most common for people to wear wedding bands on their left “ring finger,” there are exceptions. In some cultures, the right hand is traditional for indicating marriage. Some traditions use the right index finger as an indicator of matrimony.
Rings on the right hand are returning to popularity in general. Traditionally, these were reserved for “cocktail rings." This term comes from the 1920s, during Prohibition. Since most people are right-handed, it became popular to wear larger, more striking rings while sipping illicit cocktails at speakeasies.
Of course, it is important to consider these preferences before purchasing your set of wedding rings. Which finger you wear it on will impact ring sizes. While there is the opportunity for alterations in the future, you want the significance of how you wear your ring to be as solid and lasting as the relationship it represents.
Even if you choose matching wedding bands, that does not mean they have to be completely identical. The biggest reason couples choose to go with matching wedding band sets is to show they are on the same wavelength as each other. Other couples choose to have distinct rings that have matching characteristics, like material or design, but that are also unique to each wearer. This can be a way of reflecting the union and individuality.
How you wear your ring can be unique to your relationship as well. For example, although it is most common for people to wear wedding bands on their left “ring finger,” there are exceptions. In some cultures, the right hand is traditional for indicating marriage. Some traditions use the right index finger as an indicator of matrimony.
Rings on the right hand are returning to popularity in general. Traditionally, these were reserved for “cocktail rings." This term comes from the 1920s, during Prohibition. Since most people are right-handed, it became popular to wear larger, more striking rings while sipping illicit cocktails at speakeasies.
Of course, it is important to consider these preferences before purchasing your set of wedding rings. Which finger you wear it on will impact ring sizes. While there is the opportunity for alterations in the future, you want the significance of how you wear your ring to be as solid and lasting as the relationship it represents.
Even if you choose matching wedding bands, that does not mean they have to be completely identical. The biggest reason couples choose to go with matching wedding band sets is to show they are on the same wavelength as each other. Other couples choose to have distinct rings that have matching characteristics, like material or design, but that are also unique to each wearer. This can be a way of reflecting the union and individuality.
How you wear your ring can be unique to your relationship as well. For example, although it is most common for people to wear wedding bands on their left “ring finger,” there are exceptions. In some cultures, the right hand is traditional for indicating marriage. Some traditions use the right index finger as an indicator of matrimony.
Rings on the right hand are returning to popularity in general. Traditionally, these were reserved for “cocktail rings." This term comes from the 1920s, during Prohibition. Since most people are right-handed, it became popular to wear larger, more striking rings while sipping illicit cocktails at speakeasies.
Of course, it is important to consider these preferences before purchasing your set of wedding rings. Which finger you wear it on will impact ring sizes. While there is the opportunity for alterations in the future, you want the significance of how you wear your ring to be as solid and lasting as the relationship it represents.
Find the Right Wedding Rings Set
Now that you have an idea of the many options you have for selecting matching wedding rings, and how to wear them, you can choose the right ones to fit your style and budget. Identifying a set that appropriately represents your relationship will serve as a meaningful reminder of the commitment for the rest of your lives.
At Patrick Adair Designs, we have a passion for creating unique rings using distinct materials and techniques. Shop our collection of Matching Wedding Band Sets below and contact us if you have any questions.
STAR DUST
Meteorite Shavings, Blue Opal, Moonstone, and Uncut Diamonds on Tungsten Carbide
METEORITE
Authentic Muonionalusta Meteorite
SUPERCONDUCTOR
Acid-Etched Superconductor
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