Engagements and weddings are important life milestones steeped in tradition and etiquette. One such tradition relates to the placement of wedding and engagement rings on the bride's ring finger. It’s customary for brides to receive two rings. An 
engagement band before the wedding, and a wedding ring during the ceremony. Your first ring is a promise of marriage. The second solidifies the promise. Sometimes knowing which one goes where can be a bit confusing.
Day of the Wedding
On your wedding day, you should switch your engagement ring to the third finger on your right hand. During the ceremony, your future spouse places the wedding ring on your ring finger. The custom of the third finger on your left hand being your ring finger originated in Egypt, where people believed the vein in that finger led directly to your heart. By placing the wedding ring on that finger, the groom ensures that it is in the position closest to your heart. Yes, definitely romantic!
Engagement Ring Etiquette
Once you’re married, tradition dictates that your engagement band be moved back to the third finger on your left hand. When you do so, your wedding ring should remain closest to your heart (where your spouse placed it on your wedding day) and your engagement ring is placed next to the wedding ring.Some women choose to ignore ring etiquette, and instead infuse their own style on the custom. Some variations on the traditional ring placement include:
- Continue to wear the engagement band on the right hand
- Forego wearing the engagement band
- Weld the rings together for a beautiful custom piece
Regardless of how you choose to wear your ring, the most important thing is that it be comfortable for you and sized properly.
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Follow Tradition or Become a Trailblazer
Years ago, it was tradition for a man to purchase an engagement ring with a diamond setting. However, times have changed. Other precious stones are also acceptable on an engagement ring.Another tradition is for you and your spouse to have matching wedding bands. For instance, if you have a gold wedding band, then his would be gold as well.Many couples are choosing to incorporate their unique style with traditional ring etiquette.There are no rules for most faiths on how to wear wedding rings. Whether you want to become an engagement band trailblazer or stick with tradition is up to you.Engagement and wedding rings are more than beautiful, sparkling pieces of jewelry. They are symbols of your love and future and should be treated with care and respect.
FAQs
Traditionally, the wedding band is placed first on the left ring finger and then the engagement ring is placed on top of it. The wedding band symbolizes the bonded commitment between you and your partner, so wearing it first keeps the ring closest to the heart.
Which goes first, engagement, and wedding ring? ›
And while there's a standard answer that's rooted in tradition, ultimately, the decision is a personal choice. As tradition dictates, a wedding band is usually placed first on the left ring finger, followed by the engagement ring.
Do you wear your wedding band on top or bottom? ›
A: Conventionally, couples wear the wedding band “closest to their heart”, meaning the wedding band is stacked below the engagement ring on the left ring finger. However, some people like to wear their wedding band on top of their engagement ring as a way to secure it on the finger.
What is the correct way to wear wedding engagement and eternity rings? ›
Another common way of wearing all three rings together is to place the wedding ring on the ring finger on the left hand, followed by the eternity ring and then the engagement ring. Since wedding bands and eternity rings usually look similar they pair wonderfully.
What is the protocol for wedding and engagement rings? ›
On your wedding day, your engagement ring should be worn on the third finger of your right hand. Then, once you've said your I-do's, your engagement ring should be placed back on the third finger of your left hand, on top of your wedding band.
Do I wear my engagement ring on my wedding day? ›
Traditionally, the wedding band goes first on the finger so it's closest to the heart. To ensure the proper position, some brides temporarily move their engagement ring to their right hand. Then, after the nuptials, they return the ring to their left hand over the wedding band.
What happens to the engagement ring after a wedding? ›
After the wedding, many couples choose to wear both their engagement rings and wedding bands; some even have them soldered together to permanently form one ring. Modern ways include wearing your engagement and wedding rings on different fingers or adding additional bands to create a wedding ring stack.
Should I wear my engagement ring every day? ›
After a while, your engagement ring can start to feel like part of your body. It only makes sense that you would experience a little separation anxiety when it's not on your finger. But should you wear your engagement ring everywhere? The short answer is no, you should not be wearing your engagement ring all the time.
Do you wear an engagement ring on the right hand? ›
In many eastern cultures and some select countries throughout Europe like Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Spain, the engagement ring and wedding band are worn on the right hand ring finger. This practice also reaches back to ancient Rome where it was believed the left hand wasn't reliable.
What does a 7 stone ring mean? ›
5-stones are said to symbolize the five traits great relationships hold: Love, trust, communication, commitment, and empathy. 7-stone rings can represent seven years together, the luck of the number 7, or the continuing love that encircles you both.
The 5 stone ring is a standout in the world of diamond jewelry, symbolizing style and substance. Originating from the Victorian era, it represents sentiments like love and commitment. Versatile enough to complement any bridal set, it offers customization in stone shapes, settings, and metals.
How many years after marriage do you get an eternity ring? ›
Nowadays, eternity rings are usually given to celebrate milestone anniversaries such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 50 years of marriage. They also make a great gift for an engagement or wedding. When looking for an eternity ring, it is important to consider the metal of the ring.
What is the 3 month rule for engagement rings? ›
Earlier, people spent their three-month salary on engagement rings as it was a popular notion. The cost of living back in the day was indeed much lower, and people could afford to spend 3 months' salary on a ring. However, times have changed and millennial couples don't generally follow this rule.
What is the 2 month rule for engagement rings? ›
You may have heard of the "two-month rule," which suggests you should spend two months' worth of your income on an engagement ring. While this may be what you have heard, the reality is that there is no set rule on how much money you should spend on an engagement ring!
Do you wear engagement ring first and then wedding ring? ›
Which order do you wear engagement, wedding, and eternity rings? The order in which you wear your wedding rings is up to personal preference. However, traditionally, the engagement ring is worn first, followed by the wedding band and then the eternity ring, if one is given.
Who wears the ring first in engagement? ›
The first method, wearing the engagement ring on top, is based on the belief that it should be closer to the heart on the wedding day. In this approach, the bride would wear her engagement ring on her left ring finger before the ceremony begins.
engagement band before the wedding, and a wedding ring during the ceremony. Your first ring is a promise of marriage. The second solidifies the promise. Sometimes knowing which one goes where can be a bit confusing.
