If you’re planning a wedding, you probably know that this is an exciting and hopeful time that is full of romance and fun. The only hard thing about it is getting caught up in every tiny detail of planning your wedding & sifting through all of the jewelers available to find just the right store. What is one of the biggest stressful items that couples encounter along the way? Finding the perfect wedding ring to complete their bridal ring sets. We’ll explain everything you need to know about the pair of rings for bridal sets, when to wear them, how to wear them, and how to pick the perfect wedding ring match for your engagement ring.
What is a bridal set?
If you’ve never heard of bridal sets, a bridal set is the term for the combination of your engagement and wedding rings when worn together, as they will be after your wedding day. This can also be referred to by other names, such as “wedding sets”, “engagement ring sets”, “wedding ring sets”, etc., and can also refer to the combination of you and your partner’s wedding bands. Because of this, you will want to make sure that you clarify what you’re referring to whenever it comes to bridal sets while communicating with your jeweler in order to ensure that you are speaking the same language.
What is the difference between an engagement ring, wedding ring, and bridal set?
What is an engagement ring?
An engagement ring is typically the most elaborate ring that you will wear (not always, but usually). This is most often seen in the form of a ring that features a large diamond (or the stone type of your choice) center stone.
What is a wedding ring?
A wedding ring, or wedding band, is a band that both members of the couple wear. These bands tend to be more simple in design than the engagement ring. These rings are typically what the partners exchange during the wedding ceremony.
What is a bridal set?
A bridal set is the combination of the engagement ring with the wedding ring. After the wedding ceremony, these rings are worn together when the wedding ring/band is placed on the finger with the engagement ring.
When do you wear your wedding ring and engagement ring?
Your engagement ring is intended to be worn from the proposal and beyond. It is often the first piece of physical evidence to show the world that you’ve successfully found the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with. You’ve found your person. This ring represents a promise of commitment.
Your wedding ring is added to your finger during the wedding ceremony and represents the official bond of marriage (congrats!) and worn for the rest of your life.
Most people wear the two rings together as a bridal set, starting at the ceremony; however, everyone has different preferences. Some brides prefer the simplicity of wearing only the wedding band post-ceremony in everyday life. Many brides will opt to wear only their engagement ring without ever adding a wedding band. When and how you wear your rings is totally up to personal preference and lifestyles.
Do you wear your wedding band on top or bottom?
Similar to when and where you wear your bridal set rings, this is also up to personal preference! If you want your engagement ring to be a part of the ceremony, you should absolutely wear it. After all, it is your day. Who’s going to tell you that you can’t and get away with it?
If you are one of the brides who opts not to have a wedding ring and to only wear your engagement ring, you probably will not wear it during the ceremony. This is because you will use it in the ring exchanging portion of the ceremony!
Typically, if you choose to wear your engagement ring during the ceremony, it will be worn on your right hand’s ring finger to make room for your wedding band on your left hand’s wedding ring finger.
Following the wedding ceremony, most people choose to wear the wedding ring closest to the hand, with the engagement ring on top. This is rooted in the symbolism of the ring that is closest to the hand being the closest to your heart.
Some people, however, choose to wear their engagement ring on their left-hand ring finger during the wedding ceremony and so choose to keep their wedding band on top after the ceremony because this is how their partner placed it on their hand.
To sum it up: The traditional meaning of a bridal set is the combination of a women’s engagement ring and wedding band being worn. As brides become less traditional and choose to embrace their own unique preferences, we are beginning to see more variation. Double-banded engagement rings will mean that you’re looking at (at least) three bands after adding a wedding ring. You will also see brides that stack two wedding bands on either side of the engagement ring for a more symmetrical stacked look or to symbolize motherhood. And still, some brides will opt to have an engagement ring only or wedding ring only.
The truth is, no piece of jewelry or jewelry tradition will make you and your spouse any more or less married (that’s what a marriage license is for). Whether you live for extra ring bling or wearing more jewelry really isn’t your preference, you have complete control of what you choose to be a symbol of your partnership.
Should you go to a store or talk directly with a jewelry consultant?
Both, really – being able to lay your eyes on the inventory of a store, whether it’s online or in person, will help to get a good handle on the price range during your search. Be aware that many a traditional jewelry store has much higher prices for what is essentially a mass-produced item & not every online jewelry store will provide free shipping.
No matter what style of bridal set you decide to shop/search for or the location you are in, we’re here to help! Explore our store’s stock until you reach success with items found for bridal sets for your partnership – after all, every item in our stock is original, designed & crafted by us, and comes with free shipping anywhere in the country.
Shop for a variety of ring styles below; if you prefer, you can explore more options here! For help picking the perfect pieces for your bridal set, get in touch with our jewelry consultant! If you’d like to visit our location in New York, get in touch with us, as visits to our location are by appointment only.
We believe that your search is over with us – if you don’t see it, we can make it!