Do You Need Both An Engagement Ring And Wedding Band?

There are plenty of questions when you are first beginning to plan a wedding. The first one is usually, is a wedding planner necessary? Then you'll move on to food, music, and other details, but one question that gets asked closer to the big day is do you need both an engagement ring and wedding band?

Let's start with the engagement ring. This is given to you by your fiancé, and is the start to your magical love story as an engaged couple. Depending on the length of your engagement, you may be wearing this piece for months or even years before adding a wedding band to it. However, if you wonder do you need both an engagement ring and wedding band, we'll break down that mystery and help you determine if you'd prefer to rock one, both, or even none.

For some couples, the engagement ring is there to signify an engagement and that you are betrothed to someone in the future. The wedding band is to signify that you are married and no longer a single person. For most couples, only the woman wears an engagement ring, though this does depend on the couple and their culture. The same goes for certain couples who wear an engagement ring on their right hand instead of their left. In specific cultures, that is how you signify that your heart is taken and you are engaged to someone else, in which case, it would make perfect sense for them to wear both the engagement ring and wedding band, since the wedding band would still be on the left hand, and the engagement ring is worn on the right hand. In other cases, couples simply choose to do this that way they are not having to worry about their engagement ring perfectly matching their wedding band. Instead, they can wear both on separate hands, and if the metal is different or the diamonds are different cuts, it isn't a problem. The engagement ring simply becomes more of a fashion ring once the wedding is held.

For other couples, they may not have an engagement ring at all, but will still be engaged. This is a great option for couples who would rather save up their money to buy nicer wedding bands but may be on a budget or even for those who are planning on surprising the bride to be with a stunning engagement ring closer to the wedding. There's no doubt that purchasing a ring can be a big financial investment, and not all couples believe in the necessity of the tradition, nor are they able to do so right away. If there is no engagement ring, then there is no issue of wearing both when the big day arrives, they will simply exchange wedding rings, and just wear the bands. If the engagement ring is purchased closer to the wedding, the bride may choose to wear it and have the wedding band slipped on with the engagement ring.

Wearing both is a common practice for many couples and brides. It is very common for a bride to wear an engagement ring on the day of her wedding, as well a wedding ring when the rings are exchanged. They'll simply have the engagement ring closer to their joint and the wedding band is slipped on right in front, closer to the knuckle. However, after the wedding, what many brides do to wear both is they will swap the two and the wedding band will be the closest ring to her heart, and the joint, and the engagement ring will be secondary to it. This is a great option for couples who have chosen simple wedding bands that go with just about anything, or if they chose a bridal set to perfectly match. Even without that, if you don't want to part with either of your rings, this is a great option to wear both.

When you stack the rings on your ring finger, there really is no right or wrong in it, it's all a matter of what makes you most comfortable. If you prefer to wear both rings, then go with what feels right. If you'd rather just have the band because you're worried about losing or breaking the engagement ring, then it's probably best to leave that more for special occasions.