Engagement and Wedding Ring Traditions

The Ancient Egyptians are typically credited as the first civilization to use rings as symbols of love, commitment, and devotion. According to With These Rings, the circular, infinite shape of the ring represented eternal life and love, while the circle’s opening was the “gateway to worlds unknown.”  This what brought wedding ring traditions mainstream.

They also are thought to have started the tradition of wearing the ring on your fourth finger on your left hand, as they believed there was a vein that went straight from this finger to the heart.  Below are examples of ways to wear engagement rings, wedding rings, and bridal sets.

Of course, many things have changed since the Ancient Egyptians developed these beliefs and traditions 5000 years ago. There has been no scientific evidence proving there is a vein that goes from that finger to your heart, though the Ancient Romans shared the same belief.  Marriage is tied to traditional values and ancient symbolic beliefs.

The rings are weighted with symbolism and tradition. Engagement rings are used for most proposals.  Typically, the engagement ring features one dominant stone like a diamond. In 1477 Archduke Maximillian presented the first recorded diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy to symbolize his love and devotion. The diamonds on the ring were set in the shape of an “M.” Today, more than 80% of American engagement rings use diamonds, according to Reader’s Digest.

Below are some samples of Diamond Engagement Rings and Diamond Bridal Sets.

What does the wedding ring mean?

Wedding bands, though just as beautiful, are usually not quite as flashy. They are typically simple bands without a large stone. While you’ll wear the sparkler throughout your engagement, you won’t slip the wedding band on until you’re at the altar. This ring is meant to symbolize the crystallization of your love, commitment and marriage.

Is it wedding ring or engagement ring first?  The origin of wedding ring traditions.

A frequently asked question regarding engagement and wedding rings has to do with what order they are supposed to go in. When it comes down to it, they’re your rings, your engagement, and your marriage.  So, the order you choose to put them in is completely up to you. But knowing the history and symbols behind the combinations can help you decide which way to wear your rings will be most meaningful to you.

The traditional way to sequence your rings goes back to the Ancient Egyptians as well. By putting the wedding ring on the inside, it’s as close to your heart as possible. Many people, however, switch the order so that the engagement ring is on the inside. This way you can add the wedding ring, and possibly anniversary bands down the road, and keep them in the order of those special days.  So in summary, the wedding ring traditions you follow, are all yours.

To solder or not to solder?

It’s common to get the rings soldered together after you get married so that they are eternally bound.  However, you have options, if you like how they look when they’re attached, but don’t want to affect the original design.  If that’s the case, you can talk to your jeweler about other options.  For example, get a ring guard or a set of rings specifically designed to be interlocked.

Though the engagement-wedding ring combo holds with tradition, many people use their sparkler to fill both roles. In 2016, the average American spent over $6,000 on the engagement ring and over $5,000 on the wedding band.  If you’re looking to cut costs, you don’t have to do both. What really matters is that you love your ring and the way you wear it!