Shopping for wedding bands is a thrilling event. But with a plethora of options to pick from, it can be a tad overwhelming as well. To make your selection easy, I’ll be diving into a trend that’s quickly gaining traction. I’m talking about mismatched wedding bands.
Initially, most couples choose matching wedding bands to symbolize their unity. However, choosing mismatched bands is fast becoming a beloved trend. It allows both the bride and groom to express their individuality and not feel pressured into picking something they don’t like.
This post explains how couples can create the perfect mismatched wedding band look and answers questions like:
- Should Our Wedding Bands Match?
- Do his and hers wedding rings have to match?
Should Our Wedding Bands Match?
Not necessarily.
In the past, womens and mens wedding rings were made to match. Since the Renaissance era, wedding bands have always looked similar; like two peas in a pod; and understandably so.
Using identical metals and colors for the bride’s and groom’s rings was perceived as a symbol of the two becoming a single unit. But in the contemporary world, such traditions and practices aren’t followed anymore. If you’d rather have wedding bands that don’t match, that’s perfectly fine.
Do his and hers wedding rings have to match?
No, they don’t. Wedding traditions have evolved tremendously over time. Couples are no longer limited to wearing identical wedding bands. So if you’re one of the couples that prefer a mismatched look, then go for it!
Choosing Mismatched Rings – His and Hers
1. Start shopping early
One mistake that couples make is to wait until their eleventh hour to start shopping for wedding rings. Instead, you should start your search as early as 4 months to the wedding.
This way, you and your partner have adequate time to consider what you like or don’t like, and how to pair these aspects nicely to create the perfect mismatched look.
2. Shop as a couple
In most cases, the groom shops for the engagement ring alone or with a bit of help from in-laws and mutual friends. But when it comes to the wedding ring, this is something that you should do together as a couple.
Free your schedule and make a dinner or brunch appointment at a fancy restaurant. Once you finish dining out, you can visit a couple of jewelry stores and look at wedding bands together.
Shopping with the groom- or bride-to-be means that you’ll get a second opinion on what you choose. Plus, it helps you pick a ring that showcases your personality while still complementing your partner’s chosen ring.
3. Shop with your engagement ring
While there aren’t any strict rules when creating a mismatched look, you’ll want to pick something that complements your engagement ring a little bit.
At the end of the day, you’ll be wearing both rings together. So even though they don’t have to be a perfect match, they should complement each to an extent. This is why I recommend shopping with your engagement ring on hand.
4. Keep your lifestyles in mind
Like most couples, you’ll probably be wearing your wedding bands every day. If this is the case, be sure to take your lifestyles into account.
Do you live a very active lifestyle? Or, are you in a profession that requires you to use your hands often? Think woodworking, masonry, gardening, landscaping or construction.
If you answered yes, you’ll want to prioritize durability over design. Pick a wedding band made of durable materials, so it doesn’t wear prematurely or get damaged easily. Your partner can then choose a wedding band that contrasts beautifully with what you pick.
Choosing Mismatched Wedding Band and Engagement Ring
1. Use different metal colors
In the past, using different metals was considered a misstep. But in the contemporary world, it’s perceived as a means of introducing unique contrasts in your jewelry.
When it comes to the engagement ring, most people prefer white metals, such as platinum and white gold. Rose and yellow gold are also rising in popularity.
But if you do a thorough research, you’ll realize that there’s a vast range of metals, including the likes of tungsten and platinum. You just have to find two metals that contrast beautifully. For instance, an engagement ring with a warm gold color pairs nicely with a rustic sterling silver ring.
2. Go with a classic
Another tip that can help you achieve a stunning look is to stick to classics. For example, you can go for the immensely popular diamond solitaire for your engagement ring.
Diamond has subtle colors, which work nicely when mixing and matching. Similarly, the solitaire style is just as versatile. This makes it easy to find a wedding band that blends well with the engagement ring.
3. Switch up the widths
If you were to buy a matching bundle of the engagement ring and wedding band, they’d probably have identical widths.
Rather than stick to the norm, consider choosing different widths. This helps you to create a mismatched look while still keeping other aspects uniform; like the choice of stone and color. This Square Morganite Engagement Ring Set is a great example of how to vary widths and still maintain a nice look.
4. Go for different eras
Wedding bands and engagement rings from different eras often have distinct elements reflective of these periods. For instance, the Art Deco era is prominent for the geometric style of its time. Conversely, the Art Nouveau era is known for its floral-styled scrolls.
Picking rings from different eras helps you create a mismatched look. However, you’ll want to choose wisely to ensure the rings work well together.
5. Pick contrasting finishes
Another way to achieve a mismatched look is to pick a set that has contrasting finishes.
The majority of engagement rings have a smooth and refined finish. The only exception is with engagement rings that have stones on the shank.
Wedding rings, however, come in a wider range of finishes with the most common being satin, polished, brushed, matte, and hammered. Less popular options include wire brushed, cobblestone, rock hammered and crater.
6. Blend the stone shapes
Another way to maintain some uniformity in your ring choices is to use stones of different shapes. This way, you’re able to keep the rings looking complementary and still achieve the mismatched look that you wanted.
Some of the most popular shapes of wedding bands are eternity, channel, pave and flush set. These would go well with a solitaire stone engagement ring that has a different shape.
Typically, round pairs nicely with either a square or rectangle ring. Similarly, a round eternity wedding ring looks good when paired with a marquise or oval solitaire engagement ring.
The Bottom Line
There’s nothing wrong with choosing mismatched wedding bands. However, you have to be careful when choosing this look. Whether you’re mismatching his and hers or your engagement and wedding ring, the final look should still look stunning. Follow the tips highlighted above to create the ultimate mismatched look!
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