Getting engaged and married is an extremely emotional and exciting tradition. With this tradition, there is certain etiquette to be followed and a question we get asked often is "How do I wear my engagement ring and wedding band together?" There are many traditions associated with how you place your engagement rings and wedding bands on your hands before the wedding, the day of the wedding and after the wedding. Your first ring is a promise of marriage. The second solidifies the promise. Sometimes knowing which one goes where can be a bit confusing.

Day of the Wedding

On your wedding day, you should switch your engagement ring to the third finger on your right hand (your right hand ring finger). During the ceremony, your soon to be spouse places the wedding ring on your left hand ring finger. The custom of the third finger on your left hand becoming your ring finger originated in Egypt, where people believed the vein in that finger led directly to your heart. By placing the wedding ring on that finger, the groom ensures that both he and the ring are in the position closest to your heart.

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Engagement Ring Etiquette

Once you’re married, tradition dictates that your engagement band be moved back to the third finger on your left hand. When you do so, your wedding ring should remain closest to your heart (where your spouse placed it on your wedding day) and your engagement ring is placed next to the wedding ring. Some women choose to ignore ring etiquette, and instead infuse their own style on the custom. Some variations on the traditional ring placement include:
  • Continue to wear the engagement band on the right hand
  • Forego wearing the engagement band
  • Weld the rings together for a custom designed piece
  • Wear a wedding band on your left and right hands
  • Wear your engagement ring then wedding band
Regardless of how you choose to wear your ring, the most important thing is that both your wedding ring and engagement ring is comfortable for you and sized properly.

Be Traditional or Make Your Own Tradition?

One time-honored tradition is for you and your spouse to have matching wedding bands. For instance, if you have a gold wedding band, then his would be gold as well. Although this is common practice, your wedding rings do not have to match exactly. There are many ways you can carry over similar styles between you and your spouse without having to select a totally plain metal band. Many couples are choosing to incorporate their unique style with traditional ring etiquette. There are no rules for most faiths on how to wear wedding rings. Whether you want to become an engagement band trailblazer or stick with tradition is up to you. Engagement and wedding rings are more than beautiful, sparkling pieces of jewelry. They are symbols of your love and future and should be treated with care and respect.