Selecting wedding bands certainly isn’t an easy decision, however many couples find this to be a very meaningful part of their wedding planning journey since these simple rings symbolize commitment and unity.
In addition, the purchase of wedding rings should be a lot less time intensive than purchasing an engagement ring since bands are normally much simpler in design.
The most common question that arises when beginning to shop for wedding bands is: “What type of metal should we buy? Gold? Platinum? White Gold? Titanium?” While all are good options, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The biggest difference between the various metals is cost.
- Traditional yellow gold is a timeless choice and the rings will last for a lifetime. Gold is a “soft” metal, however, so small marks or scratches may make the rings dull a bit over time – this is perfectly normal. The color itself will not change.
- Platinum and titanium are heavier, stronger metals and therefore won’t show marks as easily over the years. However, they are the most expensive metals and the cost may be as much as 4-5 times the cost of gold.
- If you like the look of platinum or titanium but are on a tight budget, you might consider white gold – which has the same “silver” appearance. White gold is the least expensive choice of metals, but keep in mind that the color may change a bit after many years and become just a bit “yellowish”.
- Most couples will opt to match the material of their wedding rings with the metal chosen for the engagement ring, if both rings will be worn by the bride after the wedding.
Tip: Wondering whether the wedding band should be worn above or below the engagement ring? (You’re not alone ~ this is a common question!) Traditionally, the wedding band is worn closer to the palm – or you may wish to remember this rule as wearing the wedding band closer to the heart. 🙂