Must Engagement & Wedding Rings Be Different?

My fiancé had questions about this too. He thought that the engagement ring was only worn during the engagement period and then replaced by the wedding ring. This happens sometimes when the engagement ring is oddly shaped (hard to match a wedding band to) or when the bride prefers a plain band to wearing both rings. If the rings don`t match, the engagement ring can also be worn on the other hand.

More often the engagement and wedding rings are a set (worn together). You can pick out a set right off and store the wedding ring until the big day, or just get the engagement ring, propose and worry about the wedding band when your fiancée can tell you what she wants. She may be ok with only having an engagement ring and using it for a wedding band too- it`s unusual, but it might work for her.

You don`t have to buy them together- although you may get a better deal this way. You should also think about getting your wedding band from the same jeweler- they often will offer a discount or even free band if the engagement ring is expensive enough.

Ask your jeweler what to do about size- if you are sneaky you could swipe a ring she currently wears for size- trace the inside of the ring or take it with you. Or maybe the ring can be traded in for one in the right size later- if it`s not custom made. Keep in mind that a ring that can`t be adusted for size may be hard to wear for life. Weight fluctuation, arthritis, Pregnancy, can all change the way a ring fits.

What ever you decide- good luck and congratulations!

I can easily get her ring size - it`s a question of her changing the finger after we get married.

What do the rest of you think?

Sincerely,
Jody

I really think that you need to get a wedding band as well as an engagement ring. Of course it is personal choice but I would feel disappointed if my fiance gave me an engagement ring and then told me it was my wedding ring as well, no matter how expensive it was.
Traditionally, a wedding ring is a lot cheaper than an engagement ring and you should structure your budget so you can buy both. However, both rings should be made from the same metal if they are going to be worn together as a stronger metal ring (say platinum next to 18K gold) will wear the other ring down.
As for the type of setting, that simply comes down to what you and your partner personally want, if you like the tension set rings, get one.

I agree, there should be an engagement ring and a wedding ring. You could always get her the engagement ring and have it made to the right size now, and then just buy a simple gold band for her wedding ring (they don`t have to be expensive or have any jewels in them). If she chooses later, or if her finger size changes, she can always just wear her engagement ring on another finger and then she will still have the wedding ring (get it so it can be adjusted) for her ring finger.

I`m very traditional in that I would like a separate wedding band. I`ll ask the jeweler to make a simple gold band to match the engagement ring he made for my fiance to give to me and fuse them together. Two of my friends, however, use their engagement rings as their wedding bands. It`s all a matter of personal preference. You can get something that compliments the engagement ring such as a simple band or a channel setting of smaller diamonds. The possibilities are endless...it may depend on how traditional you two are.

Just thought I would share my experiences also. My fiance bought me an engagment ring in a solitare setting When he goes to purchase my wedding ring they will take out the diamond from the solitare setting and put it into the wedding ring. They will apply the amount of money he paid for the solitare setting to the wedding ring he will buy for me.