(Yes, they’re all different. Let’s clear this up)
Let’s clear this up once and for all: engagement rings, wedding rings, wedding bands… They’re not the same thing, even if they all live on the same finger. Confused? You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered, “Wait, aren’t they basically the same thing?” Answer: not quite. Let’s dig into the details so you can know exactly what’s up - and what’s worth wearing.
Think of it like this: different moments, different meanings.
Engagement Ring: This one’s all about the proposal. It’s usually the flashier piece. It’s designed to grab attention with a central stone, like a diamond or sapphire. The engagement ring symbolizes the promise of marriage. It screams, “I’m taken, and someone planned ahead.”
Wedding Ring: This one shows up on the wedding day to represent your marriage. Wedding rings (or bands) are generally simpler and more understated to let the engagement ring take center stage, though it can still feature diamonds or other details. It’s about the commitment, the “forever” part of the story.
How do you wear them? Wear the engagement ring solo until the wedding day. After exchanging “I do’s”, you can stack it with the wedding band - wedding band first, engagement ring on top, so the wedding band sits closest to your heart.
Tradition says left hand, fourth finger. Why? The Romans believed the “vena amoris”, the vein of love, ran straight from that finger to your heart. Science says no, but the symbolism is too good to give up.
Not everyone sticks to this, though:
If you want to send a clear signal to others that you're married, stick to the tradition where you live, or go classic Western style. Otherwise, wear your rings where they mean the most to you.
Tradition says the wedding band should be closest to your heart (aww). So it sits at the base of your finger, with the engagement ring stacked on top. This symbolizes the journey and progression of your relationship. From the promise (engagement) first, to the commitment (marriage).
But these days, there’s no hard rule. Some people prefer the engagement ring on top, some swap hands, and others ditch tradition altogether.
Fast forward a few years into your marriage, and you might find yourself adding an anniversary ring to the mix. Congrats! Now, there’s three rings.
Milestones stack in the order they happened. The “classic” order is the wedding band first (closest to your heart), followed by the engagement ring, then the anniversary band on top.
But classic isn’t a rule, and who’s tradition, anyway? Spread them across both hands, mix up the order, or let the anniversary band shine solo. Do what works for your style and your story. At Gardens of the Sun, we’ve seen people mix hidden diamonds, personal engravings, and shared textures - whatever makes your rings tell your story best.
Technically? Yes, absolutely. But should it? Not really. Here’s why.
An engagement ring is designed to scream, “I’m engaged!” Big stone, flashy setting, the whole works. It’s a promise, not the final commitment. Skipping the wedding band and sticking with just the engagement ring is like ordering an appetizer and calling it dinner. Sure, it fills the plate, but it’s not the main course.
Here’s the kicker: most people will assume you’re still engaged, not married. That’s because a wedding band - simple, sleek, and symbolic - is the universal sign for “I’m taken, forever.” Without it, you’re leaving room for a lot of “So, when’s the wedding?” questions. Do you really want to keep explaining yourself?
Bottom line: don’t cut corners. Get the band. Together, they tell the whole story.
The engagement ring is your promise, and the wedding band is your proof. But we're jewelers, so we might be a little biased.
If you’re thinking, “I just can’t swing a wedding band right now” - whether it’s the house, the wedding celebration, or life’s other big expenses - there’s a practical alternative. Go for a simple silver or affordable metal band for now. It’s meaningful, symbolic, and gets the job done. Later, when you’re ready, upgrade to the gold or custom design you’ve been dreaming of. Maybe for your fifth or tenth anniversary. Think of it as an investment in your story that grows with time.
But if you’re cool with skipping the band, go for it and wear your engagement ring as your wedding band. Plenty of people stick with just the engagement ring after the wedding - especially if it’s meaningful, comfortable, and they don’t want another ring crowding their finger.
Short answer: different. A wedding band is usually plain, a no-frills metal circle that’s all about eternity. A wedding ring might have diamonds, gemstones, or fancy textures. The terms get used interchangeably, but traditionally, it’s simplicity (band) vs. sparkle (ring).
Let’s start with the basics. The most important part is the shape: an unbroken circle that symbolizes an endless loop - eternity.
Traditionally, a wedding “band” was plain with no extra embellishments. It symbolizes eternity in its most understated form. Even now, wedding bands are typically a plain, unadorned circle of metal. Think minimal, classic and understated.
As time passed, more intricate rings with diamonds and other details became popular, and the term “wedding ring” came into play. It may include design elements like diamonds, gemstones, engravings or unique textures. If you’ve got something a little more eye-catching, you'd likely call it a wedding ring rather than a band.
That said, the terms “wedding band” and “wedding ring” are often used interchangeably. You might hear someone refer to a plain metal band as a "wedding ring" or a diamond-studded ring as a "band." Whatever floats your vocabulary boat.
But traditionally speaking, the distinction lies in the simplicity of the band versus the embellishments on the ring. If it’s plain, it’s a band. If it’s got sparkle, it’s a ring.
At Gardens of the Sun, we see it all. Some couples want sleek and simple. Others go for rings that incorporate a personal touch – such as a hidden diamond or engraved message – to add deeper meaning to their rings, without necessarily making them more elaborate.
Not unless that’s your style. Traditional wedding bands are often plain metal, but many modern couples go for something more distinctive. So if you want to incorporate diamonds or other stones, go ahead! Adding diamonds (or other stones) can complement your engagement ring or bring a special meaning. Some add small diamonds or gemstones to reflect their engagement ring, while others want a single diamond tucked inside as a hidden message - just for them.
Choosing whether or not to include diamonds in your wedding band often comes down to the style of your engagement ring. A diamond-studded band can add flair to a simpler engagement ring, or make the center stone look bigger. But if you’re more into subtlety, a plain band might be the perfect match to balance out a more intricate engagement ring.
At Gardens of the Sun, we’ve designed everything from sleek, unadorned bands to intricate rings that feature small diamonds or gemstones. One favorite? A small, single diamond hidden on the inside of the band.
If you’re unsure which style to go for? Match your rings thoughtfully. They’re partners, not competitors.