An engagement ring is one of the most cherished pieces of jewelry a woman can possess. Subsequently, this bride-to-be receives another valuable ring from her groom during the wedding ceremony. Amid the whirlwind of preparations leading to the wedding, a bride may overlook or become uncertain about what to do with her engagement ring during the big day.
Should you wear your engagement ring on your wedding day? The bride has several options: she can keep wearing her engagement ring on her left hand, temporarily move it to her right hand, or incorporate it into her other bridal jewelry as an embellishment. Alternatively, she can choose not to wear it and entrust it to a reliable person for safekeeping. Ultimately, the decision on how to manage the engagement ring rests on the bride’s personal preference.
In this article, we explore different alternatives to help brides decide what to do with their engagement ring on their wedding day.
Wearing Your Engagement Ring On Your Wedding Day
Traditional Ring Etiquette
Traditionally, once engaged, a woman wears the engagement ring on the left ring finger. Similarly, the wedding ring is placed on the same finger when vows are exchanged during the wedding ceremony.
This custom dates back to the Romans, who believed that the “Vena Amoris” or “Vein of love” is located at the fourth finger on the left hand and is directly connected to the heart. Wearing a ring on this finger symbolizes the bond and love shared between couples.
Although this practice is not universal, it is widely accepted in Western cultures and applies to both wedding and engagement rings. However, when wearing both, the wedding ring should be worn first so that it is closer to the heart.
Engagement Ring vs. Wedding Ring
An engagement ring, given during a proposal, symbolizes love, devotion, and a promise of marriage. It typically features a single focal stone or is surrounded by smaller stones.
Wedding rings, on the other hand, are exchanged between the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony. These rings are often made of a plain metal band or can be adorned with stones.
How to Wear Your Engagement Ring?
On the wedding day, the bride receives the wedding ring from the groom and wears it on her left ring finger. But what happens with the engagement ring?
Below are options that can help the bride decide how to handle her engagement ring on the wedding day.
Leave It As-Is
he bride can opt to continue wearing her engagement ring on her left ring finger. During the ceremony, the groom will place the wedding band on top of it. After the event, the bride can take a few moments to swap the rings’ positions on her left hand.
This option, however, might detract attention from the wedding ring. In photographs, the sparkling engagement ring might overshadow the new wedding band.
Move the Engagement Ring
An alternative is to temporarily move the engagement ring to the right hand. This ensures that the wedding band sits perfectly on the left ring finger during the exchange of vows. After the ceremony, the bride can relocate her engagement ring back to her left hand, placing it over the wedding ring.
However, brides choosing this option should ensure that the engagement ring fits well on the right hand. Differences in ring sizes between the left and right hand may exist, so it’s advisable to check if the engagement ring can be comfortably worn on the right hand.
Don’t Wear It
Another approach is not to wear the engagement ring to the wedding. The bride can either leave it at home or store it somewhere safe.
The bride can also entrust the ring to her Maid of Honor, a family member, or a trusted person for safekeeping until after the ceremony. This choice might be preferable if the bride is wearing gloves, as the ring settings might snag on the fabric.
Incorporate It With Other Jewelry
A creative option is to incorporate the engagement ring into other bridal jewelry as an embellishment. The ring could be attached to a bracelet like a charm or worn as a pendant on a necklace. If choosing this approach, care should be taken to ensure the ring is securely attached to prevent it from getting lost amidst the festivities.
Final Thoughts
A wedding day is a profoundly special occasion to celebrate the union of a couple. Therefore, it can be symbolic and meaningful to wear the engagement ring on this momentous day, as it represents the love and commitment shared. Ultimately, the bride should choose the most favorable option that works best for her.
Should you opt to wear your engagement ring during the wedding day, ensure that it fits comfortably on your finger. Have your rings properly sized, checked for damages, and cleaned thoroughly prior to the big day to keep them at their sparkling best.
