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It’s a time-old, wedding day tradition that after reciting vows, the bride and groom each exchange a wedding band as a symbol of eternal commitment and as a token of their love and affection for one another.
With the goal of forever in mind, a wedding ring is likely one item of jewelry most people will never take off. For some, it may even be the first and only jewelry item they ever own. Needless to say, it’s a piece worth spending some time and attention on. There may be days, weeks, months, even years of your life, when the wedding ring will be the ring, when you may not always want to wear that sparkly diamond engagement ring or flashy gemstone of choice (or so I’ve been told). The wedding band, often more understated than the engagement ring, is what you may gravitate towards in these moments, and what many will opt for for everyday wear.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Wedding Bands:
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Choosing The One
When selecting a wedding band, especially one to pair with an engagement ring, various schools of thought could come into play. While the wedding band is a piece you should love individually, it s also something that should complement your engagement ring, as traditionally, the two are often worn together, stacked one on top of the other.
Some brides-to-be will want a piece that’s classic and traditional, like a sleek metal band in platinum or gold or a barely-there diamond pavé ring that will match their engagement ring, fitting together like a puzzle. Other brides, however, will go in a different direction. They may choose to mix metals and select a band in a different finish than their engagement ring, like a yellow gold ring paired with a white gold band, or a sparkly stackable style that contrasts the bare-metal band of their engagement ring. There will also be the brides who want something a bit bolder, a ring that strongly signals to others that they are officially off the market! Perhaps this will be an ultra blingy diamond eternity band, something that enhances your engagement ring, or an avant-garde piece that’s more modern, a tad unusual, or perhaps bespoke.
Similarly, when it comes to selecting a band with and for your partner, their personal style will also come into play. Someone who rarely wears jewelry will likely balk at something sparkly and value comfort above all else. They’ll look for a minimalist ring they can sleep, shower, swim, and live in without second thought. On the other hand, a partner with more eclectic taste may want something bolder, with a hint of pizazz. Adding a meaningful engraving on a thicker band can make the process of choosing your rings more memorable as well.
Ultimately, choosing a wedding ring (for men and for women) is an activity you and your future partner can do together. It should be fun, after all! Pick pieces that work for both people as individuals—in style and personality—but that complement each other and pair well together. (Just think of all of those hand-holding photos you’re bound to take on your big day)!
To make the search a tad easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best wedding bands on the market today, because what better way to celebrate this exciting new chapter in your life than with a new piece of jewelry?
