The Diamond Ring Wedding Custom

Getting married can be an intimidating time in a person’s life. This is especially true if you’re getting married for the first time—and hey, who wants to be married more than once? Here are some important steps to keep in mind when it comes the traditional wedding as well as the important role the ring plays. First of all, the wedding ring is traditionally a metal ring, and it is commonly set with diamonds. It is usually in contrast to the engagement ring, which boasts a larger stone and a promise to get married at a future date. The wedding ring represents a marital commitment to fidelity.

Before The Wedding

Some customs state that the wedding ring is the final gift in a series of gifts, including an engagement ring. However, other traditions encourage more rings such as a promise ring, eternity ting and trilogy ring. A recent trend, popular in Europe and becoming increasingly common in America, is the idea that a couple can engrave the name of their spouse on the wedding ring along with the date of marriage.

The views on how the rings are exchanged may differ. Eastern Christian religions state that the exchanging of the rings must be done before the actual wedding, such as at the betrothal. However, western religions tend to favor the ring exchange on the actual wedding day. Traditionally, the groom’s ring is made of gold and the bride’s ring is made of silver. They are blessed with holy water and by the priest who is giving the wedding.

During the Wedding

Ceremonies introduced in British civilization saw the best man be placed in charge of a couple’s pair of wedding rings, and he would be the one responsible for producing them during the ceremony. However, large weddings see an additional role: the ring bearer, very often a young boy who carries the rings on a pillow. Remember that in ancient times, wedding rings symbolized money as well as marital love. Along with a gold ring, the groom was expected to delver gold and silver coins to his bride and to her family as proof of his marital intentions.

Is the Wedding Ring the Same Thing as an Engagement Ring?

The Ancient Egyptians took a different approach to the idea of a love ring. In fact, early Egyptian records indicate that they downplayed the monetary aspects of the ring and instead focused on the spiritual and eternal symbolisms. It is therefore believed that Egyptians “invented” the modern definition we know today of the engagement ring, as a symbol of love over finances. Little wonder then that in some countries, the wedding ring is considered the same thing as the engagement ring. It is merely engraved before the wedding and then subsequently placed on a different finger.

However, some brides are given an engagement ring as well as a wedding ring. In this case, she may choose to wear the engagement ring on her left finger and then have the groom place the wedding band over the engagement ring. Another option is that the bride can wear the engagement ring on one ring finger and then the wedding band on her other hand. (It should be noted that wearing a wedding band over an engagement ring may scratch one or both rings!)

After the Wedding

Where does the idea come from that the wedding ring should be worn on the fourth finger? This dates back to ancient times, a belief possibly stemming from the Egyptians, which suggested that there is a vein in the fourth finger that leads directly into a person’s heart. This was called the “vein of love.” This tradition has continued throughout the ages. How about the choice of placing the ring on the left hand? This finger choice may be one of convenience rather than ancient beliefs. Since most people are right handed, logically, they would choose to put their wedding ring on the less active hand, so that it wouldn’t get easily damaged or lost.

Even years after the wedding commences, there are still rings to be exchanged. Eternity rings are traditionally presented by the husband on the first anniversary or upon the birth of the first child. There might also be a ring given for the silver wedding anniversary.

Interestingly, in ancient times and even as recently as the middle ages, men did not wear wedding bands. It was only the “right” of the woman to do so, apparently since it was presumed men had too much honor to flirt with another woman (yeah right), while the woman required some sort of marking. However, in modern times it is customary for both partners to wear wedding rings. Even so, new trends developing suggest that some couples do not wear their rings everywhere, perhaps because of discomfort or because of the stigma attached with wedding rings and legal status, as explained by old traditions.

Nevertheless, these are the most important diamond ring wedding customs and as history indicates, these romantic symbols will continue to thrive now and through eternity.