The Difference Between a Wedding Band and an Engagement Ring
You’ve made the decision to get married, and now it’s time to think about rings. However, getting started can be confusing. One of the most common initial points of confusion is the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding band. Understanding the basic distinctions of marital jewelry can help you and your fiancé find the perfect life long pieces as you embark on the next step.
What is a Wedding Band?
Wedding rings are typically exchanged during the marriage ceremony and are worn by both bride and groom once married. These rings are thought to originate in ancient Egypt and have been a longstanding tradition throughout the world. In the west, the ring is typically worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, as the vein in this finger is believed to lead directly to the heart. Husbands typically wear a single ring while wives often wear the wedding band paired with their engagement ring.
What is an Engagement Ring?
Engagement rings are commonly given to a future bride during the proposal. This signifies the commitment to upcoming nuptials. Featuring a center stone and often more extravagant, these rings traditionally signified the wealth of a suitor. They have been traced back to the aristocracy in the renaissance. However, it wasn’t until access to diamonds increased in the Victorian Era that the symbol became widespread among varying classes.
Why Buy Two?
Despite the differences, it may seem a little strange to buy two different rings. While ultimately, the decision to simply purchase a wedding ring or both is ultimately up to you, there is a lot to be said for the symbolism of both. The initial gift of the engagement stone ties to traditional dowries indicating a commitment to future marriage and a life together. The exchange of a wedding band in a two-ring ceremony further symbolizes this through the image of a circle that indicates eternity and wholeness, as a couple starts their life together.
