A Guide To Choosing Your Wedding Bands
Your wedding or commitment bands will be a daily symbol of love and partnership. Choosing the right one is a deeply personal decision blending style, symbolism, comfort and your story into rings that will last a lifetime.
Your perfect rings should reflect who you are both individually and as a couple. They should match your taste, tell your story and fit with your lifestyle.
Whether you want something timeless and elegant or bold and unique, working with an independent maker will allow you the greatest freedom to get exactly what you want, within your budget and with the personal touches that add special meaning to your rings.
Choosing your rings is a big decision but it need not feel overwhelming. With tailored guidance from your jeweller throughout the process, the making of your rings can become one of the most special memories in your preparations for the next chapter in your love story.
Choosing the right metal
The choice of metal matters. It affects not only the look and feel of your ring but also the durability, comfort and maintenance over time. Your choice of metal can reflect not only your style and colour preferences, it can reflect your values with options to choose ethical metals and to consider sustainability. Sentimental gold from a loved one can be used to make your rings. There are plenty of options available when you choose to work directly with the maker.
Gold
Gold is a classic choice for commitment bands. With various colour options there will be something to suit your style and skin tone. Yellow gold is timeless, warm and classic. White gold offers a sleek and modern finish. Rose gold gives soft romantic tones whilst hazelnut gold has hues of soft brown and champagne.
Most gold rings are made in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct. The higher the carat the more gold is contained within the alloy and the richer the colour. Your maker will be able to advise on the suitability of each.
Platinum
Platinum is a popular choice for those who like the modern look of white metal. It is bright and lustrous and develops a soft patina over time. 950 Platinum is 95% platinum with the remaining 5% an alloy of other metals. Platinum gives a heavyweight feel to the ring.
Palladium & Silver
Palladium offers a similar look to platinum but with a much lighter weight when worn. 950 palladium is a durable metal containing 95% palladium and the remaining 5% an alloy of other metals.
Sterling silver offers a more affordable alternative for the white metal look and can be finished in a variety of ways to add a subtle satin sheen or a dark patina.
Mixed Metals
Mixed metals are a popular choice for men’s bands. White and yellow gold can be combined in a band and pure 24ct gold can be combined with silver to give rich gold accents giving a more affordable option. Your maker can advise on which mixed metals would work with the design you had in mind.
Band shape and Fit
Small details can make all the difference when considering the shape and fit of your band. The curve, the thickness and the width of the band can all affect how the ring feels on your finger.
The profile of the ring describes the shape of the ring in cross-section. There are various profiles ranging from traditional to modern shapes. Each profile will feel different when worn and the difference is more noticeable with wider bands.
Your maker will allow you to try on the various profiles and guide you to make the most comfortable and appropriate choice for your lifestyle.
Below are some drawings from my sketchbook to show the most common profiles.
Width, Thickness and Weight
Tiny variations in width and thickness can completely change the look and feel of your ring. Makers are used to working in tiny dimensions of less than a millimetre and so are perfectly placed to offer advice and solutions to ensure that your ring is the perfect fit without compromising style and proportion.
Wedding and commitment bands usually range from 2mm to 8mm in width. Narrow bands of 2-3mm are delicate, lightweight and give a more minimal look. Medium bands of 4-6mm are most popular in the UK offering a balance of visibility and comfort. Wide bands of 7mm or more make a statement and are worn to be seen.
Once again, working with an independent maker allows the freedom for your maker to adapt designs to fit your hand or adapt the proportion of a band to make a consistent style for couples who want a matching look.
The thickness of the metal in a ring affects both comfort and durability. Thicker bands feel more solid but may be less flexible for daily wear depending on your lifestyle. You may find a thinner band more comfortable but it should still have enough metal to last lifetimes.
The weight and type of metal in a ring affects its price and this is something you should discuss with your maker before making your final decision. Your jeweller can explain how they buy their metal and can explain the differentials in costing. For example, platinum is significantly denser than gold, so 4 grams of platinum will give less material than 4 grams of gold and so your platinum ring will be more expensive than an identical one made in gold. Do ask plenty of questions. It is really important that you have the opportunity to make informed choices about your rings. At Aileach Moon I am always happy to answer questions, so note them down before your consultations and should a question pop into your head in the middle of the night just send me an email.
Design Harmony For Your Engagement Ring
Before making and finalising the design of an engagement ring, at Aileach Moon I always discuss options for wedding bands. It is helpful to be able to visualise how a commitment band will sit around your engagement ring. Your commitment band should not compete; it should complement your engagement ring beautifully. Both rings will sit side by side for a lifetime so balance, proportion and comfort should all be considered.
If you already wear an engagement ring it may not sit flush against a standard over the counter band. Even standard curved or V-shaped bands may leave gaps between the rings. This will affect comfort and wearability. At Aileach Moon I can craft a bespoke commitment band to fit the exact curve of your engagement ring - no gaps, no skin getting nipped in between the rings - just a perfect accompaniment to your lovely engagement ring.
It is important to use the same metal for your band to match the metal in your engagement ring. If your engagement ring is 18ct yellow gold you should choose the same metal for your commitment band. If different metals were used, they would rub against each other and over time cause unnecessary wear. By matching the metals you ensure that both rings age together developing the same patina and shine.
While some couples choose a plain band to highlight the engagement ring, others opt for a diamond set band or even, when the engagement ring is designed with the band in mind, interlocking rings where the diamonds or gemstones hug each other. Either way your wedding band should complete your story with a timeless beauty that complements your engagement ring.
Finishes And Personal Touches
Once you’ve chosen the perfect shape, size and metal it is time to consider the finish. The final touches make your rings extra special and can be as personal and unique to you as your story.
Finishes
The finish of your ring changes its character. A mirror finish high polish ring is classic, reflective and exudes timeless elegance. A matte or brushed finish gives soft and understated elegance, perfect for modern minimal styles. A frosted or satin finish adds a gentle sheen that softly catches the light. A highly polished ring sat beside a soft satin finish ring has a very different vibe.
There are many options for a textured look from a hammered finish to hand carved details or a signature texture such as those used in Aileach Moon’s men’s collection. Combining finishes such as a matte centre with a polished edge can add interest to a design and will catch the light with subtlety.
Engraving
Adding hidden details such as a date, co-ordinates, initials or a shared motto adds a secret meaning shared between the couple. Details that hold meaning make your rings extra special, a way to carry a shared moment or belief with you every day for the rest of your lives.
Gemstone Accents
For a little extra sparkle consider adding gemstone details. A hidden diamond or a sentimental jewel, these small touches make your ring a true reflection of the things that hold meaning for you. Your maker can advise on the suitability and design options when you wish to include gemstone details.
The Perfect Fit
Your commitment band should feel comfortable enough for you to wear every day whilst you are engaged in all your routine activities. You should always have your finger sized by the jeweller who will be making your ring. Measurements can vary between retail shops and ring sizers so having your finger measured using your jeweller’s own tools is the most accurate option. When you get your ring measured professionally your maker will be able to advise on how the width of the band will affect sizing and can take your knuckle size and finger shape into account when designing your ring. Aileach Moon offers a free resize during the first year and an annual complimentary clean and polish for bespoke rings.
Make Your Own Wedding Bands
For couples who want an extra special experience I offer the opportunity for you to carve your own wedding bands, or each other’s, in wax. Following a consultation, we will spend some hours together where I will guide you through the process. Following the making session, your wax bands are then cast in your chosen precious metal, then expertly finished and polished. This limited experience creates wonderful memories as you put all your love and energy into making a band that you will wear for the rest of your life.
Timing
Ideally you would be thinking about commitment bands before purchase of your engagement ring or if you already have an engagement ring aim to consider your wedding band as soon as you have set a date. The more time the better.
Choosing such important rings should not be rushed and by allowing plenty of time you can gather lots of research and talk directly to makers. I recommend that your initial consultation is between 6 and 8 months before the ceremony and having decided on your rings, leave six months for making and to allow for multiple consultations and fittings. This will ensure your rings are ready in plenty of time for your ceremony.
If you wish to make your own wedding bands with Aileach Moon I recommend booking your first consultation 8 to 12 months in advance of the ceremony. I have limited availability for this service so booking well in advance is recommended.
Your wedding bands are not only a reflection of your story and your style; they will accompany you through every season, milestone and memory. They are witnesses to your love and the life you will build together. Choosing the right ring isn’t about trends - trends pass, your love is constant. You deserve to have rings that feel perfect, personal, timeless, and that still make you smile on your 50th anniversary.
Book A Consultation
You can book a free no obligation consultation with Aileach Moon. I look forward to hearing your story, your questions and ideas.