Congratulations, your engaged! After you have posted your ring on Instagram, tweeted your friends, and posted the good news to all your family on Facebook it's time to set the date and start planning. As you begin the process many details that once seemed so simple can open up into a complex series of decisions. Selecting a wedding band is absolutely one of those choices. Don't stress. Before you panic, lets look at all the options you have available so you know what you want before you hit the jewelry stores.
#1 Silhouette
Curved Wedding Bands (Contoured Wedding Bands)
Curved wedding bands offer a seamless silhouette to your engagement ring. The design will hug the curvature around your center stone and eliminate any unsightly gaps. The only draw back to a curved band is you are committing to wearing your engagement ring everyday, which, depending on the activity level of your lifestyle, is not always feasible. Also, depending on the manufacturer, some designers do require you send them your engagement ring to guarantee the band fits properly.
Straight Classic Wedding Bands
The straight wedding band does not have the curvature and may not fit as tight as a curved band. However, depending on the design of your engagement ring, it may still fit snugly. The bonus here is two fold, first, it can be worn with or without your engagement ring. Some brides live an active lifestyle and wearing an engagement ring everyday is not feasible. In this case, you will want a wedding band that can be worn independently. Second, this gives you more options to match the spouses wedding band with your own.
Ring Guards and Diamond Ring Enhancers
A trend that we occasionally see is the use of a diamond enhancer or a set of ring guards to frame the top and bottom of your engagement ring. Enhancers, wedding band wraps, and ring guards are available in a multitude of styles. Stop into your local jeweler to see how they will look with your engagement ring, simply email us at info@jabel.com to find a store near you.
#2 The Stones
Diamond Bands
Throughout human history diamonds have been highly revered for their beauty. Understandably, diamonds are a popular addition to wedding bands for many brides looking for a little extra sparkle.
Gold/Platinum Wedding Bands
The classic wedding band, without any stones, is a eternal look that symbolizes the eternity of love and therefore it has no beginning and no end. Some brides choose to add embellishments to the design with hand engraved details for a vintage style wedding band look.
Gemstone Wedding Bands
A new direction in today bridal industry is the use of gemstones in engagement rings. Pairing up a gemstone band with these rings is a great way to maintain the aesthetic of a matched set. You can also pair a gemstone wedding band with a classic all diamond engagement ring to symbolically include details of your life; such as using the stone that represents the month of your marriage or the date you met; Ruby for July or Sapphire for September.
#3 Coordinating Rings
Matching Wedding Band
Based on a 2013 Jabel survey, engagement rings with matching wedding bands remain the number one choice among today's brides. If a matching wedding band is not available for your engagement ring many jewelers can custom design a wedding band based on your vision. Starting a Pinterst album of ring looks you like will help expedite the process.
Complimentary Wedding Bands
In the same survey we also discovered that some brides prefer the unique look of an engagement ring with a non-matching wedding band. This gives the ensemble a chic eclectic look that can truly capture the bride's personality. We love Kimiko's choice in wedding bands, featured below!
Image: Chris Rexon and Carrin Ackerman of Rexon Photography
His/Hers Matching Wedding Bands
Thanks to the trend setting power couple, Kate Middleton and Princess William, a new trend is emerging where the purchase of his and hers wedding bands has become an independent selection. Still, some couples will always prefer a traditional approach with matching bands. Both are perfectly acceptable in today's bridal market. If you and your soon-to-be spouse are torn on the issue, try what Jabel bride, Heidi, and her husband did. The couple selected two different bands that used the same design in contrasting metal, widths, and applications. Heidi wears the vintage pattern on her 18KT white gold ring guards and her husbands has a wide gents band in rose fold. [On a side note, Happy 3rd anniversary Heidi and thank you for the image below]
#4 Metal
Gold Wedding Bands
Gold is available in a number of colors and carats; the most popular are 14KT (white, yellow, green and rose or pink gold wedding bands) and 18KT (yellow or white gold wedding bands). You can also select a Two-Tone wedding band as pictured below, in 14KT pink and green carved gold.
Platinum Wedding Bands
We also see a number of wedding bands ordered in Platinum. Each metal has its pros and cons so be sure to brush up on the benefits of Platinum, 14K, and 18KT Gold before placing your order.
#5 Trends
Stackable Wedding Rings
With the rise of the pink gold trend we have seen a surge in the number of bride's selecting stackable wedding bands. Even Hollywood 'A' listers like, Jennifer Garner are embracing the trend. The biggest benefit to this trend is anniversaries, holidays, and milestone gifts are a no-brainer! Select matching bands in contrasting metal colors for a mixed metal wedding band looks is the ultimate chic bridal look today.
Vintage Wedding Bands
With the popularity of bo-ho chic weddings, antique inspired wedding gowns, and Hollywood starlets wearing vintage bridal, this movement is here for a good reason! Its beautiful, unique, and filled with great wedding band options. If you are looking to buy an antique wedding band, do your homework and give yourself plenty of time! If you are simply going for the look, than stop into your local jeweler and request samples from their top bridal designers to try on with your ring.
