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You’ve proposed, they said “yes,” and now your partner proudly wears their engagement ring. As the wedding planning process gets underway, you’ve both started excitedly shopping for wedding bands, but there’s just one problem.
None of them fit right.
The issue seems to lie with the engagement ring. Every wedding band uncomfortably rubs up against it or just looks ugly.
What can you do?
Fortunately, you don’t have to rush to your nearest jeweler to return the engagement ring. There’s an easier solution: Buy a custom wedding ring.
Here’s what you need to know about getting custom-made wedding bands to fit engagement ring options.
Engagement rings come in all shapes and sizes, but most have one thing in common: They’re more than just plain, simple bands. The average engagement ring features stones, intricate designs, and other elements, which means a straight wedding band won’t always sit nicely against it.
This can cause discomfort wearing the two rings together, and over time, the pair can rub against one another and cause damage, particularly if they’re made from softer metals like yellow gold.
Getting a custom-made wedding band is a great solution. It ensures a seamless, harmonious look while preventing any discomfort or damage — and with everything that a wedding band signifies, you’ll want to ensure it can be worn without any issues.
When shopping for custom wedding rings, you’ll find that there are standard shapes to choose from that are neither complicated nor necessarily expensive.
A curved wedding band features a slight bend that aligns with the shape of the engagement ring. This shape is ideal when matched with an oval engagement ring or a solitaire engagement ring with a halo setting that protrudes from the band.
This shape allows the engagement ring and wedding band to sit flush with one another, creating a harmonious look.
A notched wedding band has a small notch or cutout that fits around the center stone or engagement ring setting.
This shape works best for rings with a square or rectangular center stone or a bezel setting that covers the edges of the stone. Like a curved design, a notched ring allows the engagement ring and wedding ring to fit seamlessly against one another and helps prevent stone damage.
A contoured wedding band is customized to fit the exact shape of your particular engagement ring. Therefore, this design could be wavy or irregular rather than simply curved or notched.
A contoured wedding band is ideal for matching with engagement rings that feature several prominent stones or asymmetrical designs.
A guard wedding band features two pieces that wrap around both sides of the engagement ring. These bands are perfect for engagement rings featuring a large, heavy center stone or a setting needing extra protection or enhancement.
Guard wedding bands add more sparkle and bling and increase the width of the engagement ring, making the overall look dramatic and extra.
Simple and/or classic engagement rings probably don’t need a specialty-shaped or custom wedding band. In this case, a straight wedding ring will do just fine and sit beautifully on the ring finger.
To add some extra interest to this simple shape, forego the custom option and consider an eternity wedding band with inset stones all around the circumference.
When choosing the perfect wedding band pairings for an engagement ring, there are several factors to consider.
Engagement rings typically cost a lot more than wedding bands, so the good news is that you don’t need nearly the same budget that you spent on the engagement ring for matching wedding bands.
Custom wedding bands vary in price depending on the type of metal you choose and the complexity of the design. Overall, you can expect to shell out between $200 and $2,000 for a custom piece. One of the most significant factors impacting price will be the metal you choose for the ring — here’s how they compare.
A custom gold wedding band can range from $300 to $1,000. Higher karat gold is more expensive, and white gold is more expensive than yellow or rose gold because it requires a special rhodium plating coating to maintain its color and shine.
Platinum is the most expensive metal available, and a custom platinum wedding ring will cost around $500 to $2,000, depending on the thickness and design of the band. Additionally, working with this metal requires a high level of skill and precision, raising the price.
Silver is very affordable and easy to work with, making it a good option for budget-conscious couples or those who prefer a vintage look. A custom silver wedding band can range from $200 to $500.
Since titanium is quite hard and brittle, it is difficult to change once the ring has been created, so bear this in mind when choosing the initial design. A custom titanium ring will cost between $300 and $800.
If budget is a concern, there are ways to save money on a custom ring design. Here are a few tips:
It is possible to create a wedding band that connects to the engagement ring by using a clasp, hinge, or screw closure. While this creates security and a seamless look, it may limit flexibility or be uncomfortable.
Choose a wedding band with a thinner width, low profile, and simple design to make an engagement ring look bigger. This creates contrast and highlights the more prominent features of an engagement ring.
While possible, resizing a wedding band containing diamonds all around the circumference is very difficult and risky. The diamonds can easily be damaged or loosened, and the stones’ symmetry and alignment will likely be affected.
A wedding band and engagement ring should fit together comfortably and securely on the ring finger without being too tight or too loose. The pair should also not rub or scratch each other. To avoid issues, choose a wedding band and engagement ring that sit flush, have a gap, or nest together.
There is no rule that states the wedding band should be thicker than the engagement ring. The thickness of the bands depends solely on personal preference and style.
Planning a wedding requires no end of knowledge and effort. The devil is in the details, and that can mean the difference between a day to remember and a day to forget.
Let The Groom Club help you navigate these tricky waters. Our insightful and informative articles provide a wealth of information on just about any wedding-related subject you can think of. From the engagement to the honeymoon and everything in between, we’ve got you covered.
