Exchanging wedding rings is probably one of the most significant wedding traditions. However, wedding traditions have evolved a lot over the years and deciding what tradition to follow can be quite difficult!We spoke to the experts at Anania Jewellers who have some excellent advice when it comes to wedding ring etiquette…

Engagement ring vs. wedding band
An engagement ring is  a more extravagant ring than  a wedding band  and tends to feature  a prominent gemstone,  whereas  wedding  bands  are  often  simpler  and  understated  in  design. Typically,  an engagement  ring  is  used  for  the  proposal  whereas  wedding  bands  are  exchanged  at  the  wedding ceremony.
Conventionally, only the man purchases an engagement ring for his partner, however, these days some couples choose to both get engagement rings. Anania Jewellers explains that unlike women’s engagement rings, male engagement rings are understated and simple in design. Women tend to wear both rings on the same finger whereas men often choose to replace their engagement ring with their wedding band or to wear their engagement ring on their right hand.

How to wear your engagement ring at your ceremony
On  your  wedding  day,  you  are  going  to  share  the  special  moment  where  you  exchange wedding  bands with  your  partner.  Many  brides  are  unsure  what  to  do  about  their  engagement rings  during  the ceremony. There are three common ways to go about wearing your engagement ring at your wedding:
1.  Many  brides  choose  to  not  wear  their  engagement  ring  at  all  during  the  ceremony,  but  wear  it afterwards for their reception.
2. A common choice is to wear your engagement ring on your right hand during the ceremony and switch it to your left hand after the ceremony.
3. Some brides choose to keep wearing their engagement rings normally during the ceremony and simply switch the order of the rings afterwards.

Typically,  the  engagement  ring  should  come  on  after  the  wedding  band.  Many  couples  choose  to  buy matching  wedding  bands  or  even  a  set,  where  the  wedding  band  matches  the engagement  ring.  Some ring designs allow you to merge your engagement ring and wedding band into one ring.

Ring-shopping options
Traditionally, an engagement ring was  the man’s sole responsibility and it was custom for him to choose his partner’s engagement ring without consulting her, and then utterly surprising her when he proposed. However, this tradition has changed quite a lot in recent years.

Since couples often discuss the possibility of marriage beforehand, it is quite common for the woman to have  a  say in her ring. It has become conventional for couples to go ring shopping together, or for the bride-to-be to design her own engagement ring.   However, it is no longer expected that the man should spend three months’ worth salary on the engagement ring!

Surprise or choose your own ring?
There are naturally advantages and disadvantages to all the ring-shopping options.
If you opt to design or choose your own rings, you might not have a surprise, but you know that both of you are getting exactly what you wanted, including the ring’s style and size and the stone’s cut.
On  the  other  hand,  many  women  like  the  idea  that  their  partner  chose  or  designed  their ring,  however there  is  always  a  small  risk  that  the  ring  isn’t  quite  to  the  woman’s  taste  (and  it  can  be  an  expensive mistake!).
Depending on the style, most rings can be resized. However,  Anania  Jewellers  advises that men should observe the size of their partner’s other rings to get a rough idea. Anania Jewellers suggests that if men want  to  surprise  their  partners,  they  can  easily  find  out  what  their  partner  might  like  by  asking  their friends or even seeing what they posted on social media like Pinterest.
Remember…
Wedding traditions are evolving and it doesn’t matter what tradition you choose to follow, as long as it is what makes you and your partner happy.