Both engagement and wedding rings are symbols of love and commitment, but there have been some mix-ups about them. Are they the same or different? Can both be worn together? Is a wedding ring needed again after getting an engagement ring? Is it compulsory to buy or use both?
Well, all the answers to these questions and more will be provided in this article as you read further. First, let’s learn about the history and significance of both rings.
Wedding Rings
The tradition of wearing wedding rings didn’t start today. It’s been in existence for centuries— it can be traced back to the Ancient Egyptians.
In the Middle Ages, wedding rings became more popular as a symbol of marriage. This was mainly because the Catholic Church promoted the use of wedding rings to symbolize the couple’s love, commitment, and fidelity to each other.
Even today, wedding rings remain a symbol of love, commitment, and infidelity. And there’s even now a variety of styles of wedding bands like the ones here.
There are different opinions about why wedding rings are mostly worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. Some people believe that it’s according to an ancient Roman belief that a vein in the fourth left finger, known as “the love vein ” is connected to the heart.
On the other hand, there’s another opinion that wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand didn’t come from ancient Roman belief but was one of the reformed traditions of the Anglican Church of England in the 1500s.
Engagement Rings
The history of engagement rings dates as far back as the 15th century. The ancient Egyptians regarded rings as symbols of eternity, because of their shape “circle,” which they interpreted to be an endless cycle. In ancient Rome, rings were seen as symbols of love and commitment.
The first ever recorded engagement ring was a diamond ring given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to his beloved betrothed, Mary of Burgundy. Years later witnessed popularity in the use of diamond engagement rings.
In 1947, diamond engagement rings became very popular, when the British company that mined diamonds in South Africa, “De Beers” launched an advertising campaign with the help of Hollywood stars using the slogan, “A diamond is forever.”
The latest trend has featured changes in the choice of oval shaped engagement rings. Even though diamonds are still a common option, people now also opt for engagement rings made of other materials. Recently, there’s been a rise in the demand for lab-grown diamonds, which is an alternative and low-cost option for those who want something economical.
Engagement rings serve as a representation of love and promise between couples who intend to marry. It is a way of showing the world that they are committed to each other.
Are Engagement and Wedding Rings Different?
Yes, wedding rings and engagement rings are different, even though they symbolize almost the same thing. Below are the key differences between the two.
Meaning
Although both rings mean love and commitment, an engagement ring symbolizes a couple’s engagement to each other, and the promise to get married to each other. On the other hand, a wedding band symbolizes that the couple is married to each other.
A wedding ring is worn all through the marriage. An engagement ring is worn all through the engagement period, till marriage. And it’s your choice whether to keep wearing it after the wedding with the wedding ring or stop wearing it.
Time
An engagement ring is given during a marriage proposal, which is held before the wedding. But, a wedding ring is given during the wedding ceremony as the couple say their marriage vows. Hence, engagement rings come before wedding rings.
Design
The design of a wedding ring differs slightly from an engagement ring. The engagement ring is quite an extravagant ring, with a dazzling center stone. On the contrary, a wedding ring is plain or simple in design.
Engagement rings are often more expensive than wedding rings because of their flashy designs.
The Wearer
Before now, engagement rings were designed to be worn only by women throughout the engagement period, and wedding rings were worn by both men and women throughout their marriage life. However, recently, men are also now wearing engagement rings— even though not yet as common as men wearing wedding rings.
Engagement Ring or Wedding Ring, Which is More Important?
When it comes to engagement rings and wedding rings, deciding on which one is more important is a personal choice.
For some people, their engagement ring is more important because it is a symbol of their marriage proposal and they want the memory of how they began together to be kept forever. Contrariwise, some other people believe that their wedding rings are more important because they will wear them throughout their married life.
In essence, how important each ring is depends on the couple’s choice and what they think is more significant to their lifestyle and union.
How to Wear Your Engagement Ring and Wedding Ring Together
If you’ve decided to wear your engagement and wedding rings together but have no idea how to wear both rings together, here is a common option for you:
- Traditionally, you can wear the engagement ring on the fourth finger of your left hand till the wedding day.
- On the wedding day when you will receive your wedding ring, change the engagement ring to your right hand so that you can easily wear your wedding ring on the fourth finger of your left hand.
- After the wedding, you can now change the engagement ring back to the fourth finger of your left hand so that both rings can be together on the same finger.
If you decide to completely remove your engagement finger, there’s no rule against it. You can as well decide to wear both rings on separate fingers on the same hand or separately on different hands. The choice is yours!
FAQs
Can I wear an Engagement Ring as a Wedding Ring?
Yes, you can wear an engagement ring as a wedding ring. Even though their designs are quite different, there’s no penalty for doing so. It is solely your choice to decide what to wear as a wedding ring.
How Much Should I Spend on One or Both Rings?
There is no specific amount you can spend on the purchase of wedding rings or engagement rings. It all depends on you and your partner, your budget, and your unique style.
Where Can I Shop My Engagement and Wedding Rings?
There are many places you can shop for engagement and wedding rings. You can buy from local jewelers around you, online retailers, or auction houses. Just ensure you conduct proper research before finally making your purchase decision.
Wrapping Up
Both engagement and wedding rings are important symbols of love and commitment between lovers. While the former symbolizes a marriage proposal, the latter is a symbol of marriage. As important as both rings are, there is no penalty if you decide to use only one of them to symbolize your commitment to your partner. You may decide not to use an engagement ring, and use only a wedding ring during the wedding ceremony. It’s all your choice!
