Is There a "Right" Way to Wear Your Wedding Rings?

Have you ever wondered if there’s a right way to wear your engagement ring and wedding band? Which ring goes first – the engagement ring or the wedding band? Does it matter? Keep reading to find out!

Does the Engagement Ring or the Wedding Band Go First?

The answer: Traditionally, the wedding band is worn first. Sometimes you’ll hear people say that the wedding band goes “closest to your heart,” which is a good way to remember the order. 

That being said, there’s not really a wrong way to wear your rings. You can wear your wedding band and engagement ring in whatever order you prefer. Some people reverse the tradition and wear their bands on top of their engagement ring, while others stack rings on both sides. 

Difference Between an Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

If you’re new to the world of engagement rings and wedding bands, you might be wondering, “What the heck is the difference?” The terms “engagement ring” and “wedding ring” are sometimes used interchangeably but they are two different things that serve separate purposes. 

Just as the name implies, an engagement ring is the ring you present when proposing to your significant other. Traditionally, it’s also the only ring that is worn before the wedding day.

The wedding ring (or band) is the ring that officially shows that you’re married! Wedding rings are worn by both men and women. Women typically wear their wedding bands next to their engagement rings.

Why Wedding Rings on Worn on the Fourth Finger of the Left Hand

The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is dated back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome. These cultures all chose to wear their wedding rings on the fourth finger of their left hands, because they believed there was a vein in this finger that went directly to the heart. 

We now know that this ancient belief is not true. There is no vein that runs from our ring fingers to our hearts. But most people continue to wear their rings on the fourth finger because it’s what we’ve always done! In certain countries like Germany, Austria, Denmark, and India, wedding rings are often worn on the fourth finger of the right hand rather than the left. 

If you don’t love the idea of following tradition, you may be wondering if you really have to wear your ring in the customary place. You certainly don’t have to (there are no rules here). However, other people may not realize that you’re “taken” if they don’t see your ring on the traditional finger, because it’s such a common practice in our Western culture. 

Stop into Koser Jewelers!

Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring, wedding bands, or are just starting to get ideas – we’re here to help! At Koser Jewelers, we love to help couples find the perfect rings to symbolize their commitments to one another. 

Stop into Koser Jewelers and let us help you speak without words.