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One key question recurs regarding matrimonial bling: how to wear both your wedding and engagement ring? Which goes on first: the engagement ring or the wedding band? Do you wear both on the same finger? Do you have to wear both?
It’s entirely your call. Wedding traditions have their place, but as with all things nuptial these days, how and when you choose to partake is a matter of personal preference. According to Zola’s 2024 First Look Report, 83% of couples are challenging the normative expectations tied to the wedding day, from toxic diet culture to the expectation that brides will change their last name. Ring etiquette, too, is due for review.
Below, find all the wedding jewelry guidance you need to wear your ring set, including insights into tradition; after all, you need to learn the rules before you break them—in style.
What is the history behind the ring finger?
According to ancient Roman lore, the fourth finger on the left hand harbored a special vein, Vena Amoris, or the “vein of love,” believed to connect straight to the heart. Placing your eternity band on this “ring” finger was seen as a symbolic union of two hearts.
Modern science has debunked this theory (we now know there’s a vein in every finger leading to the heart), yet the sentiment lives on, keeping alive the romantic meaning of the ring finger. Western countries (like the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, etc.), and many Asian nations, adhere to the left ring finger tradition. But in other regions, including many Eastern European, SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa), and Latin American countries, the right ring finger is favored. Some LGBTQ+ couples have also opted for the right hand as a subtle rebellion against Western heterosexual norms.
So, how should I wear my engagement and wedding band?
Deciding how to wear your engagement ring and wedding band is an individual choice, based on your personal style and the type of jewelry you choose. Here are three inspiring ideas for ways to showcase your rings.
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In Western cultures, it’s customary to wear your wedding band first, “closest to the heart,” with the engagement ring on top, on the finger of the left hand. Before the wedding ceremony, the bride will transfer her engagement ring to her right hand, only to place it on top of the wedding band post-ceremony.
Alternatively, opt to stack your rings in the order they were received, placing the engagement ring first, and securing it with your band. This style looks especially good if you have a larger gemstone or diamond engagement ring, and a more modest band.
There is no hard and fast rule stipulating you have to wear your rings as a duo. For those seeking a full departure from tradition, consider sporting both rings on the same hand but on different fingers. Or, experiment with having the engagement ring on one hand and the band on the other.
Do I have to wear my engagement ring and wedding band?
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You don t have to do anything, and needn’t feel tied down to any particular ring style. Feel free to wear your wedding band daily, reserving the engagement ring for special occasions. Alternatively, embrace the ring-stacking trend, piling on multiple bands. Maybe you want to add a personal favorite to the stack, or an old promise ring—go for it! If you have an active lifestyle or hands-on profession, consider modishly flaunting your rings on a necklace. There are also plenty of non-traditional choices that open up more opportunities for self-expression, such as bracelet bands or matching finger tattoos, à la power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
Wear both rings, choose one or none (and face the potential wrath of your spouse, if the latter). Ultimately, your engagement ring and wedding band serve as visual odes to your love story—and no one but you should dictate how you express that narrative to the world.