6 Responses to “How do wedding and engagement rings work?”

1. Mr. Engaged on July 27th, 2009 12:22 pm
   

   First of all, congrats! Second of all, I would recommend that you check out engagementguide.com for help with the engagement- and wedding-ring-buying process, it’s a great resource with a ring gallery full of different-style platinum rings and lots of helpful tips. In answer to your questions:

   1. The engagement ring is usually more expensive than the wedding band that accompanies it, as the engagement ring usually features a stone and the wedding band complements the engagement ring. They should be the same metal so that the two don’t wear on each other… I would recommend platinum. It’s the most durable of the precious metals and it’s naturally white, unlike white gold.

   2. The engagement ring symbolizes the commitment to marry that the groom makes to his bride-to-be, and the wedding bands are exchanged to symbolize their mutual commitment to each other. You can buy all three in a set.

   3. Guys don’t usually wear engagement rings, but they can.

   4. Typically, unless the rings are bought in a set, the bride buys the groom’s wedding band and vice versa.

   5. Whether or not you shop for the rings together is up to you, but it may be a good idea to show each other ideas of what you like online before shopping apart to ensure that you will get rings you both like.

   Hope this helps!
2. cagess1982 on July 29th, 2009 4:51 am
   

   Weddings Feedback: Traditionally:
   Engagement is more expensive
   It is expensive
   The engagement ring is given when the man asks for the woman’s hand in marriage-it shows the intent to marry; the wedding band is made to fit with the engagement ring and shows that two are joined as one through marriage
   Men don’t wear an engagement ring
   The woman buys the man’s ring and vice versa, although many couples select their wedding bands together
   The engagement ring is selected alone by the man and is given as a surprise
   You usually buy a ring that either is made for your engagement ring or fits with the ring you already have-you don’t go out and buy 2 different random rings hoping they fit together

   That being said, you don’t have to follow tradition. The woman can propose to the man, the man can wear a ring showing he’s engaged and you don’t have to spend a lot of money. You don’t have to propose with a ring-you can just wear wedding bands, or you don’t have to wear rings at all. Do what you want.
3. shihtzulover123 on July 31st, 2009 7:46 pm
   

   Weddings Feedback: Go ahead and emasculate your man , do his job for him
   You ask him to marry you and give him an engagement ring
   He plans the wedding and you show up in Your Tux with your best man since you apparently want to wear the pants in the family. That way you can go to work and can support him instead of the other way around. That way he can be the house husband. I believe in equality if the sexes but this role reversal is nuts. No wonder most men today aren’t worth ….
4. elizabubble. on August 2nd, 2009 10:24 pm
   

   Weddings Feedback: Q – Is the engagment ring traditionally more expensive, or cheaper than the wedding ring?
   A – The engagement ring is more expensive. Traditionally the man is supposed to spend 3 months salary on one, but that isn’t really done as much these days.

   Q – Why are there 2 rings (engagement and wedding) wouldnt that be extremely expensive?
   A – Most engagement rings & wedding bands can be bought in a set to save money & then the rings will also match. There doesn’t always have to be an engagement ring, but it’s just grown to be a custom. When people mention being engaged everyone always wants to see the engagement ring. The wedding band speaks for itself.

   Q – Does the guy get an engagement ring too, or is the just the girl?
   A – Guys can have an engagement ring too. It’s not tradition but it is becoming more popular lately. When I got engaged I bought my fiance a nice ring. Was nothing fancy cause it would just get damaged at work.

   Q – Does the girl have to buy the guys wedding ring?
   Usually the bride does buy the grooms ring. I think traditionally the grooms parents buy the wedding bands but not all traditional customs are followed thru on anymore.

   Q – Does the couple shop for the wedding rings together?
   Most of the time, yes. A lot of couples like to have matching rings therefore they’d shop together. But it can always be kept a surprise too.

   Q – Also, isn’t there an engagement/wedding ring that is like 2 pieces, and when the wedding comes you get the 2nd piece?
   Yes, thats a bridal set. Engagement rings come in all shapes & sizes these days so the wedding band is made to fit perfectly with it. My engagement ring is princess cut & the matching wedding band has a square groove in it to fit perfectly. My sisters wedding band is curved to fit in with her wavy styled engagement ring.

   =)
5. northstar on August 6th, 2009 7:32 am
   

   Weddings Feedback: Usually the engagement ring is more expensive due to the diamonds .

   because the engagement is a promise given, kinda like the equivalent of a dowry.

   Traditionally no a man does not get an engagement ring.

   yes the girl buys the mans ring

   you can shop together .

   yes there are sets , and it also sometimes includes the mans ring as well
6. snuggles on August 6th, 2009 8:44 am
   

   Weddings Feedback: From a males point of view I think expense shouldn’t really come into it. I mean as long as thought has gone into it and the thought has gone into the proposal then everything should be fine. I would have thought that the cheaper ring for the engagement ring and the more expensive for the wedding ring, however I think the ring sets are also quite nice and you can get some great deals on sets.

   It is just the girl that gets the engagement ring.

   These days I think both couples should go in together and both have the say in the rings taking on board each others opinions. I mean you have to wear it for the rest of your life so really the person wearing it should feel comfortable wearing it.

   When I got married before the proposal I planned it out and brought the engagement ring and the wedding ring as a double set and got a great deal saving me money in the long run. After proposing to my wife I also showed her her wedding ring that was going to be worn alongside the engagement ring as a set and she absolutely loved it. We then both went shopping for my ring.

   Hopefully this helps.

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