Who Buys The Wedding Bands?

We’re a bunch of hopeless romantics and live for a good love story. We want to know every detail, beginning with how the couple met, fell in love, the proposal, and the wedding planning process – we’re here for all of it! Some stories are more traditional, some wildly less traditional – each story is a discovery of human nature and the incredible power of love. Today, let’s discuss one of the most beautiful love symbols: wedding bands! We’ll explore who traditionally buys the wedding bands while gaining insight into both customs and modern practices. This is the ultimate read for anyone deep into the wedding planning process!  

While diamond engagement rings represent “the ask,” wedding bands are a symbol of your lifelong commitment to each other and are typically exchanged during the wedding ceremony as a representation of the vows made. A wedding band can be made of solid metal or metal with diamonds. Learn more about the differences between an engagement ring vs wedding band if you haven’t already.

Who Buys the Wedding Bands?

Traditionally, the groom buys the bride’s wedding band, and the bride buys the groom’s wedding band. However, most modern couples view wedding bands as a joint purchase. 

Also, we’d like to give a shout-out to the LGBTQ+ community. When we mention “bride” and “groom,” we realize that there is not always a “male” groom and “female” bride – love is love, and we support every single couple and all pronouns! 

Modern Approaches to Purchasing Wedding Bands

There really are no rules when it comes to purchasing a women’s or men’s wedding band. Typically, couples will pick their wedding rings or bands out and purchase them together. It’s more of a joint purchase vs. the groom buying for the bride and vice versa. Shopping for a bride’s or groom’s wedding ring is a fun part of the process. You’re able to gain even more insight into your true love! Does your partner lean more traditional/classic when it comes to men’s wedding bands? For example, do they go for a simple yet lovely, solid 14k gold band? Or, do they prefer extra sparkle and/or a less traditional shape? It’s great to see how personalities are reflected via ring choices. Exploring the different styles of engagement rings can provide further inspiration to help you make the perfect choice.

Wedding bands are so personal, and communication is super important regardless of tradition. Some brides want their engagement ring’s band and diamond wedding band to be the same if they intend to stack the rings. Other times, the goal is to have completely different engagement ring and wedding band styles – mixing and matching looks super chic. 

These days, we often see people rocking an engagement ring on their right hand and their wedding band on their left hand. Honestly, any ring can serve as a wedding band or engagement ring, and knowing where to wear your engagement ring can help you make these decisions confidently. Rings should be versatile – stunning when worn alone or stacked – we even love the “ring on each finger” look for some edgy glam! 

Budgeting and Financial Considerations

The budget is totally up to you, and what you are comfortable with spending, there is no right or wrong. No reason to overextend yourself to purchase a wedding band, as there are plenty of options out there that can work with any financial parameters. Our team of GIA-certified specialists brings exquisite custom pieces to life. It’s essential that each client feels supported throughout the entire process, from start to finish, regardless of budget. We’re committed to finding ways to make your vision a reality without breaking the bank! Please reach out to get the process started! 

We often see couples splitting the costs, especially if the couple is already living together and sharing finances. Again, no right or wrong – do what works best for your situation!

Gifts from Family Members

Some wedding bands and engagement rings have been passed down in families for generations, which is absolutely amazing! Often, part of the tradition has been to give the heirloom ring (or other jewel) to one’s fiance either before the big wedding day or as a gift on the day of the wedding. We have also worked with couples to reimagine an old piece of jewelry to make it more modern or personal, therefore persevering the sentiment of the piece while adding new life.

Family traditions are so special – we love hearing about how jewelry has played a role throughout a family’s history!! Blair – our VP of Strategy – has a super sweet, personal story regarding family traditions. “My mother’s family gave my father a watch on their wedding day. My parents decided to honor that sweet tradition, so they gave my brother-in-law and my husband a watch on our respective wedding days. We hope to pass this tradition on to future generations!” 

DRD is all about balance. We love and honor traditions but love a good remix or completely doing your own thing as a couple and as individuals! Throughout the entire wedding planning process, every detail should feel honest and genuine. It’s important to remember amidst all of the excitement and planning that the couple’s desires are firmly at the core, guiding the way while laying a strong foundation. At the end of the day, it’s about doing what feels right, loving, and beautiful.