Who Buys The Groom’s Wedding Ring?
July 14, 2022 – Posted in: Jewelry BlogNowadays, there is no general rule about who should buy the groom’s wedding ring. This responsibility could be given to the bride, the bride’s parents, or the groom himself. Some couples even prefer to go wedding ring shopping together.
In this article, we’ll look at the history and traditions of shopping for the groom’s wedding ring. We’ll also give you some tips on what to consider when buying the groom’s wedding ring.
- History of the Wedding Rings
- Who Buys the Groom’s Wedding Ring?
- Tips for Buying the Groom’s Wedding Ring
- Talk to an Expert
The History of Wedding Rings
The bride’s engagement ring has always been the center of attention from the moment the groom proposes. Compared to the shiny diamond everyone wants to see, people tend to forget all about wedding rings. After all, they’re often plain bands made out of gold, silver, or platinum, and no one seems to give it much thought until the “I Do” moment arrives. In reality, though, wedding rings hold much more importance than engagement rings.
Wedding rings are the symbol of marriage itself. Since they represent the “till death do us part” sentiment, they play an essential role. However, it’s believed that the tradition of men’s wedding rings only began in the middle of the 20th century.
The act of exchanging wedding rings dates back thousands of years, when Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures adopted this tradition. As time went by, different cultures started incorporating their own wedding ring traditions into wedding ceremonies. For example, gimmel rings with two or three hoops were often used during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Up to the 20th century, only wives received and wore wedding rings. It’s believed that the tradition of the groom’s wedding ring began around the 1940s, during the Second World War. It was actually soldiers who started the tradition of dual rings as a way to remember their wives when it was time to go to war. Afterward, the trend of two wedding rings quickly spread all around the world.
Who Buys the Groom’s Wedding Ring?
The traditional approach is that the bride (or her family) is the one who pays for the groom’s wedding band. That being said, the modern approach dictates that they split in and pay for it together.
In short, there is no right or wrong answer to this question.
At the end of the day, it’s for the bride and groom to decide.
The Traditional Approach
According to Western tradition, the task of organizing the wedding has always been given to the bride’s side of the family. Since a large part of the wedding will be paid for by the bride’s parents, they also have a say in all the major decisions. On the other hand, the groom’s parents would also contribute to some extent, whether it would mean paying for the catering service, the flowers, or similar.
However, the more expensive weddings became, the more this tradition started to fade. In some upper-middle-class families, it’s still the way things are done.
When it comes to wedding rings, according to traditional standards, the other side is responsible for this purchase. Traditionally, the bride or the bride’s parents are supposed to buy the groom’s wedding ring. In comparison, the bride’s wedding ring is the groom’s responsibility. In this sense, wedding rings are seen as gifts that the groom and bride get for each other.
Not only do the bride and groom buy wedding bands for each other, but they also pick them out by themselves. In some traditions, the very first time they lay eyes on their wedding rings is the moment they’re supposed to put them on. This may result in the two rings not matching at all, though this might not be important to some couples. It’s the element of surprise that counts.
In other cultures, the groom is supposed to buy both wedding rings. He can then pick out one for himself, and give the other to the bride as a gift.
The Modern Approach
Today, the decision about buying wedding rings is entirely up to the bride and groom. While they can abide by tradition, and buy wedding bands for each other, they can also go wedding ring shopping together, and pick out whatever they like.
This mainly depends on the bride and groom’s financial situation. If they already live together and have a joint bank account, it only makes sense for them to split the cost for the wedding rings (and the entire wedding as well). However, if one partner earns more money than the other, he or she may pay for both wedding bands.
Even when it comes to picking out the engagement ring, some brides-to-be like to have a say in this decision as well. Although the whole act of going down on one knee and popping the question isn’t the same as it once was, it still holds a lot of value.
Brides who plan to wear their engagement ring and wedding ring on the same finger naturally want these two to match. That’s why matching sets have become quite popular recently. Some couples end up getting matching wedding rings that can be personalized in a number of ways. For example, some wedding rings can be inscribed on the inside with a date, a word, or a symbol.
Given the fact that most men aren’t used to wearing a ring every day, they prefer to go to a jewelry store and try out different options. Therefore, the groom’s wedding ring needs to be comfortable for everyday wear.
The price of the bride and groom’s wedding bands may differ, depending on the type of ring they end up choosing. Contrary to what some might think, male wedding bands may not be cheap, since they are wider and thicker than female wedding rings.
Tips for Buying the Groom’s Wedding Ring
Planning a wedding is definitely not an easy task. There are so many things to consider – the venue, the catering service, the cake, the floral arrangements, the guest list, and a thousand more matters that require attention. All this planning might present time restraints when the moment arrives to pick out the wedding rings. Luckily, making wedding bands doesn’t take as much time as engagement rings.
If you’re planning to buy a wedding ring for your fiancé, but you’re not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Most people assume that wedding bands have to be boring, usually consisting of one type of metal. This especially applies to male wedding rings.
However, there are plenty of details your fiancé’s wedding ring can have that will make it stand out from the rest. Whether you’re planning to get your fiancé a wedding ring by yourself, or whether it will be a joint venture, here are some factors to consider:
Type of Metal to Pick for the Wedding Band
One of the first features you need to think about is the type of metal you want for your fiancé’s wedding ring. Traditionally, gold and silver are the two most popular choices for wedding rings. When it comes to gold, you can choose between yellow, white, and rose gold.
Platinum has also become quite popular recently, mainly because of its hypo-allergenic properties. While a platinum ring is a great choice as it’s less likely to thin over time, it’s more susceptible to scratching. Platinum also offers fewer color choices than gold.
Aside from platinum, tungsten and palladium have also become popular choices recently. Both of these types of metal are similar to platinum, and they are more affordable as well. Similar to tungsten is titanium, except it’s more lightweight. Both tungsten and titanium are better options for those who have sensitive skin.
White gold has also been the center of attention lately, since it resembles platinum and it’s cheaper. The only potential issue with white gold is that it can cause skin irritation.
Here at Estate Diamond Jewelry, we offer wedding rings made out of various types of metal – platinum, silver, rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold.
The Wedding Band Style
You’d be surprised by the number of choices when it comes to wedding ring styles. Previously, all you could find were plain gold and silver wedding bands, without any type of decoration or additional details. Today, there are many more options available.
When it comes to the ring’s shape, the classic court-shaped ring is always a safe option. This style has softly rounded edges on both the ring’s inside and outside. Another popular ring style is the D-shaped ring, which has a flat profile on the inside, and a dome shape on the outside.
Recently, flat wedding bands have become trendy. Flat on both the inside and outside of the ring, these types of rings tend to get stuck on clothing. If you want a ring that’s flat on the outside, and round on the inside, then the flat court style is for you.
Ring Size
It’s always a good idea to try a ring on before you buy it. If you’re planning to surprise your fiancé with a wedding ring, then this part might be tricky. Male wedding rings are usually from 5mm to 7mm wide. If your fiancé has slimmer fingers, then it’s best to choose a thin ring for him. Otherwise, it will just appear chunky.
Another thing to consider is that your fingers are prone to change sizes throughout the day. For example, they tend to swell in hot weather. That’s why it’s always better to wear a ring at least a few times before you decide to buy it (if you can, of course).
Not all wedding ring styles will be sizeable. Hence, you should choose wisely. We at Estate Diamond Jewelry, can handcraft the same wedding bands in different sizes for any finger size. Note that we also mention on every product detail page which rings are resizable and which aren’t.
Finishing Touches
Whether you want your or your fiancé’s ring to be polished is entirely up to you. In terms of polishing options, you can choose between high polish, matte, a combination of high polish and matte, or the hammered finish. Your choice should depend on whether you want your ring to have a glimmering coat or a matte finish that minimizes reflection.
There are other details you can add to your wedding ring to make it more special. Engravings are one of the best ways to do this. You can either engrave something on the inside or the outside of your ring. Some couples like to use a date that has a specific meaning to them, a word, or a symbol that represents something precious.
You can also add diamonds or small gems across the width of the wedding band. There are many other details you can incorporate into your wedding ring. If you want your ring to have additional features, you should order it earlier than planned since it takes time to make these adjustments.
Shop Our Collection for Your Groom’s Wedding Ring
Estate Diamond Jewelry offers a wide selection of men’s wedding bands. You can check out our entire wedding band collection here.
If you find something you like, schedule an appointment to view the ring in person. You can also contact us if you have questions about our men’s wedding ring collection.
Talk to a Jewelry Expert
The decision about who will buy the groom’s wedding ring should depend on what the bride and groom want. According to tradition, the bride should buy the groom’s wedding ring. However, there is no reason why wedding ring shopping shouldn’t be something you do together.
At Estate Diamond Jewelry, you and your fiancé are sure to find wedding rings both of you will fall in love with.
We respond to all messages within one business hour.
