Who Buys the Man's Wedding Ring
When it comes to weddings, there are those that err on the side of traditional, whilst others opt for thoroughly modern. And this includes the question of who buys the rings – men’s and women’s. Once upon a time, this wouldn’t even have been an issue - largely because men didn’t wear wedding rings at one point! Now however, both women and men sport their wedding rings of choice if they are that way inclined, and not only do men and women buy their own wedding rings in some cases, but they also buy each others. But does the wedding band come with the engagement ring, do the wedding bands have to match, and does the wedding band go on first? Obviously, every couple is unique, and it’s up to you to decide what works best for you. And thankfully, there’s no “wrong” answer.
What is the symbolism behind the wearing of a wedding ring?
When it comes to tradition and culture, this varies greatly. Ancient cultures believed the circular shape of the wedding ring represented eternity because a circle has no end. Some believed that the space in between the ring, the hole, symbolised a door to the future, leading to things that couldn’t yet be seen, but that freshly married couples looked forward to with hope. In other ancient cultures, a wedding ring was often given as a symbol of ownership. It was a man’s way of laying claim to a woman and proving that she belonged to him. Then with the rise of Christianity, the style of rings given in marriage began to shift. Where once they were often ornate and included carvings and designs meant to represent different things, they became simpler and more traditional, as people rejected displays of ornamentation. Today, however, wedding bands for both men and women run the gamut, ranging from intricate and heavily detailed to simple and elegant, with everything in between.
So, does the bride “give” the groom the wedding ring?
Here’s a rundown on what is usually deemed “traditional” when it comes to who pays for men's wedding rings, as well as what some modern couples are doing. You have options - so choose what's right for you and your partner. Tradition has it that the "bride" (with or without help from her family) buys the groom’s wedding ring. But this rule is obviously binary—it assumes that all weddings involve a woman and her groom. In more inclusive terms, each half of the couple is expected to pay for the other half's wedding band. Nowadays though, who buys the wedding bands is very much up to the individuals involved, and what works best for them. Some couples are splitting the cost of their wedding rings, which makes sense if you are paying for all (or part) of your wedding together as a shared expense.
Which finger should a man wear a wedding ring on?
For many the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This is because the vein in that finger was believed to lead directly to the wearer’s heart. However, in some European countries,
it is actually customary for the wedding ring to be worn on the right hand. Once again, the choice is completely up to you!
Do we shop for our wedding rings together?
Many do, especially at first when the wedding is still in the planning stages and there are lots of important decisions being made. By shopping for your perfect wedding rings as a couple, you can decide together what your ideal budget might look like, and shop for rings that fit both the budget and suit your individual tastes. Even if you don’t want perfectly matching rings, you can shop for rings that are complementary, and tie them together with matching inscriptions to mark your special day. Or alternatively, you can think about what your dream wedding rings look like, and then work with a certified jeweller to bring them to life.
Where do I go to get a men’s wedding ring made?
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to get your wedding rings custom-made, it’s time to bring in the experts. At Orsini, we love the process of helping our clients to create their dream wedding bands, both for the bride and the groom. The process of building and shaping an idea, then turning that idea into a true masterpiece, is one that we relish at every step. If you have an idea in mind for a men’s wedding ring and don’t know where to start, we’d love to meet with you and give you an insight into our process and how it can work for you. The Orsini team consists of unabashedly creative and talented jewellery designers, premium diamond graders, gemmologists and master goldsmiths, all trained to create unique pieces of jewellery through every stage of the process, with great precision and finish. We are proud of our creations and teamwork, and we would love to work together with you to make your dreams a reality. All of our wedding rings are made with a curved inside to provide the best comfort possible, and a true luxury fit for every client. Feel free to contact us at any time, or visit us in-store at our elegant Parnell atelier, where we invite you to relax while we discuss the seemingly endless possibilities for your bespoke design. We have created many men's wedding bands, as featured in the Together Magazine. To find out more about Orsini’s services and discover the Orsini collection of men’s wedding rings, click below.
