Banding Together- Tips for finding the ideal engagement ring and wedding bands

The same advice I give couples buying an engagement ring holds true when shopping for the wedding bands: Select rings you’ll be happy wearing everyday of your life.

Remember, your wedding rings are not “of-the-moment” purchases, like many that constitute the bulk of your wedding budget. They remain long past the flowers and wedding cake. So why wouldn’t you invest in the finest and most enduring symbols to express your greatest commitment?

Think of it this way, if you had to wear one outfit all the time you’d choose wisely, buying the most durable, comfortable, beautiful fabric crafted in an enduring style that speaks to your personality. The same applies to the one symbolic, signature accessory you will wear day in and day out.

Unarguably, a great deal of attention is paid to the bride’s engagement ring, which merely signifies the “promise” of impeding nuptials. But the wedding bands, the actual symbols of your marriage and commitment, are often relegated to last minute decisions when they should be your highest priority.

On average, couples spend $29,000 for their wedding, excluding the honeymoon, with more than 50% allocated to the reception, and less than 10% earmarked for both wedding bands. Some bridal budgets suggest allocating higher percentages for one-offs like invitations, music and favors than the more important rings.

I advise couples look to at wedding bands while shopping for the engagement ring. If not then, at least begin shopping six months prior to your wedding date. Most jewelers offer layaway plans so you can pay off the rings over time. I’ve found that couples who wait to buy their wedding bands until the eleventh hour of the planning process end up relinquishing smart considerations like platinum and extras like diamonds because they’ve gone over budget by then.

Keep the wedding bands in the forefront of your planning. Typically the bride selects a band that complements her engagement ring (another reason to shop sooner than later). About 60% of brides include diamonds in their band. For grooms, comfort fit is a critical attribute, although some 15% also want diamonds.
The trend is for rings imbued with meaning and character—customized in some way from textured finishes to carved symbols and engraved inscriptions. Platinum’s durability mean that these will last longer and not wear down as easily. Men are becoming much more adventurous in the band styles they choose, as jewelry designers expand selections for gents.

When deciding on your bands, remember it’s not so much about matching design as it is harmonizing. I advocate metal harmony in all the wedding rings. And of all the metals, platinum provides the durability expressing the greatest commitment.

Hypoallergenic, platinum jewelry is generally 95% pure, unlike 18k-gold that is only 75% pure. The pure white luster of platinum enhances the true brilliance of diamonds and is the ideal background for colored gems. Its density and weight make it more durable than other jewelry metals, able to hold stones securely in their settings. Platinum is resistant to heat and acids and does not wear down as quickly as other jewelry metals. (Tip For Brides: don’t wear a platinum engagement ring against a white gold wedding band, or vice versa.) Hence, metal harmony!

Also, the groom need not match the design of his band to that of his bride’s, allowing him to select a style that best suits his personality. Yet choosing the same metal as the bride is the defining element that bonds the two rings. See the beauty of metal harmony?

And, while platinum may be slightly more expensive than gold, it offers the best return on investment and the best long-term value for couples. If you’re on a tighter budget you should know that many fine jewelry designers are creating platinum styles at very affordable price points these days. So, do you really need a sit down dinner? Why not try the buffet and place your money on the items that will last a lifetime!

By Michael O’Connor, Jewelry and Style Expert