Selecting the right wedding band
Now that you have the perfect custom engagement ring, you'll need to find a wedding band to match! Just like engagement rings, there is an art to selecting the right band design to complement your style.
Plan ahead
A few things to keep in mind before heading out to the jeweler or browsing online include:
Time - While planning your wedding, you need to make sure you don't leave the wedding band selection to the last minute. This is especially true if you plan on ordering a custom design or wish to have your band engraved. The recommended time frame for couples is to purchase their wedding bands three months prior to the big day. This allows enough time for adjustments, such as resizing and engraving.
Price - The standard expense for a wedding bands is typically 3 percent of the total wedding budget. Although this is a good number to keep in mind while shopping, it's important to discuss beforehand what you and your fiancé are comfortable spending. This way, you can give the jeweler your budget so they can help you narrow down rings you can afford, rather than trying on bands willy-nilly, falling in love with something, and finding out the cost doesn't fit into your budget. Certain metals, high-quality diamonds and custom designs will likely yield a more expensive wedding band, so be prepared to see an uptick in price.
Style - The best part about selecting your wedding band is trying on different styles.The selection process can be fun and a little overwhelming. Make sure to keep in mind your personal style esthetic and the style of engagement ring when narrowing in on your wedding band design.
Wedding band styles
Here are a few popular styles and what type of engagement rings they complement:
Channel setting - This design is composed of two long tracks of precious metal. The middle typically consists of diamonds or gemstones set side-by-side in between the two tracks. The "Amari" design from Brian Gavin Diamonds is a great example of the unique look a channel setting provides to the overall style of a wedding band. Cut-out diamond shapes in a crisscross design look elegant and contemporary against a solitaire or diamond paved engagement ring.
Gypsy setting - If you're interested in a diamond wedding band, a gypsy band may be the way to go. This specific diamond band design is made of stones that are set into holes of the band to create a flush setting. "Ashley's Antisymmetry Band" by Brian Gavin Diamonds is a great example of the gypsy setting. Many engagement rings today are paired with a matching wedding band such as this one to create a complementary look.
Bar setting - If you plan on having children, you'll likely remove your engagement ring for a while to keep from scratching your baby. If you want to keep some sparkle on your finger during the early stages of making a family, a bar setting wedding band may be the perfect solution. Like many eternity bands, the bar style is made of diamonds that circle all the way around the setting. However, each stone is flanked by a metal bar, creating separation between each diamond. This type of setting offers additional protection to stones while still offering a little sheen to the finger - perfect for those women who work with their hands quite a bit. The "Half Moon Eternity Band" is a classic example of the bar setting.
Solid metal - If you want a simple, traditional wedding band, then a solid metal design is right up your alley. This is the oldest, most classic style of wedding band. Although this particular band can be paired with a diamond paved engagement ring, it works best with a solitaire stone style engagement design. You can select a band with a rounded edge, such as the "Half Round Band" or opt for a flat surface like the "Women's Flat Wedding Band." A third solid style to consider is the "Knife Edge Wedding Band."
