What Distinguishes Engagement Rings From Wedding Rings
Rings have long been an important symbol in the wedding culture. However, it’s not uncommon for the engagement and wedding rings to get mixed up or misunderstood. In fact, you can say that both terms are almost interchangeable in the modern culture.
This leaves us to ask, is there really a big difference between the two? If so, what are they? Do I even need to have an engagement and a wedding ring?
This article seeks to answer all of those important questions to gain some clarity on the matter. Nonetheless, there are so many choices for bespoke diamond rings online and in store now. It’s never been easier to buy any ring that fits the desires of your partner, especially if it’s custom made.
ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Firstly, let’s look at engagement rings. These are given at the time when someone asks the other person to marry them. Back in the day, women were given these rings and were meant to wear them from that moment to tell others she was now unavailable.
Of course, an engagement ring can take any shape, form or style. However, they have typically come to be known as having diamond or precious gemstones in. They also usually come with a beautiful band that may have engravings on it.
WEDDING RINGS
Now, wedding rings on the other hand are swapped between both parties during the actual wedding ceremony. You will often find that style-wise, they tend to be much simpler than the engagement ring and are placed on the fourth finger of the left hand. This is the main similarity, that both rings for the bride are placed on the same finger.
As you can see then, the engagement ring and the wedding ring are given at two different times and usually look different aesthetically. Do they also carry different meanings?
How the meanings behind wedding and engagement rings differ.
Engagement rings have been in the business for centuries and signified an exchange in ‘ownership’ from the father to the new husband. The ring would have been valuable however they developed in detail and grandeur as the years went by. This was mainly to signify the wealth of a man and make him more desirable to the woman and her family.
Therefore, it was as though to say the man was financially marrying the woman’s entire family with the engagement ring. It was a huge commitment not only to them as a couple but to the bigger picture. So, there was a lot of status attached to an engagement ring. Whilst these notions are clearly outdated, the sentiment of ‘giving the hand away in marriage’ still lives on.
So, even though there is a lot of importance with the wedding ring, it should never overshadow the engagement ring. With its simplistic design, the engagement ring still shines.
What are your thoughts on rings and do you wear a ring?
This is a collaborative post
If you like this post then you may enjoy my Prom Dress post
What a great post. I usually think of an engagement ring with a stone in it and a wedding ring as more of a band style ring, both symbolise love and hope for the future xx
I’m not married but my mother has two gorgeous wedding bands. One sliver one gold
I’m not married, so it’s not something I have to worry about 🙂
I wear my engagement ring, wedding ring and eternity ring every day but take them off when I get home. My original wedding ring has been replaced as it seemed to cut my finger, so that one never gets worn. My engagement ring is the ring that means the most to me as that’s the one I’ve had the longest and it’s also the ring that my husband saved up for to be able to afford it.
Thats so nice and thanks for telling me a bit more about your own ring. We wear them so much that it is good sometimes to think about them and where they came from.
I wear my engagement ring only at weekends as I work in a kitchen environment and am only allowed a wedding band. I like it when I’m on holiday and I can wear it all the time
I love wearing my ring, I do take it off a lot though
I love the thin double banded ring. If I got engaged, I’d love a simplistic ring like this. I am not one for flashy diamonds.
I am very proud to wear my beautiful wedding and engagement rings x
For the first time ever i had to take my wedding ring off for a shoulder op on left side still can’t get it back on as my hands and fingers are swollen i am hating it 🙁
Aahh I hope the swelling goes down soon x
Very nice, I’ll come back for a look when the time is right.
I used to wear rings, until I started working as a cook. I kept forgetting to put them back on, so now don’t bother unless I’m going somewhere special.
I love both my wedding ring and my engagement ring and wear them both always – even though it has been 52 years since I wore them!
I’m 39 in march and never been married so I don’t think I need worry about this 😊
My engagement ring was £100 22 years ago! It was all we could afford. I wish I could have had a bespoke one!
I have a plain wedding band and a topaz engagement ring. Both have more sentimental than any significant money value.
I am quite traditional in that department. Love my engagement ring and wedding ring. I wear them every day. Interesting post.
I love those rings in the picture. My boyfriend hasn’t asked me yet but I think engagement rings tend to be more expensive than wedding rings xx
I like how more and more people are picking alternatives to the traditional diamond engagement ring. My sister and her husband bought a vintage ring together in an antique shop, and it is beautiful.
That sounds lovely and it’s nice to go for something a bit different
Engagment rings are 2/3x the cost of wedding rings in my experience!
I only have a wedding ring and haven’t worn it since I was pregnant with my son and my fingers swelled up. I sometimes regret not asking for an engagement ring as well as they can be so pretty, but as we didn’t get formally engaged it seemed a waste of money at the time!
Ive still not got round to get married.But them rings in picture are stunning
The engagement ring to me def has to the the “Blingest” one of the two, the wedding band should traditionally just be a plain band, but I do like the way people are getting a wedding ring to match the engagement ring….its just the added cost though. Weddings already cost a huge amount!!!!
You’re right weddings can be so expensive. I like the sound of a registry office and a long holiday! ☀️
These are stunning and I love all of the bands and jewels! Adorable! 🙂
I have a wedding and engagement ring but I often don’t wear them because I forget to put them back on after drying my hands. Nevertheless, I would never part with them.
Aahh lovely to hear:)
I would normally think of wedding rings as plain bands of either gold/platinum/White gold. Engagement rings normally are more adorned.
Lovely blog post, I always love looking at the ladies ring(s) when they get married!
I wear both. They make me feel happy that I’ve got such a wonderful husband. x
That’s lovely:)
I don’t wear my ring as i keep it safe in its box
Engagement rings are gorgeous- sparkling jewels
A wedding BAND is the everlasting partnership
I had never actually thought about the difference but thinking about it now, my mum has both and likes to wear them all the time.
This is a very interesting article..must admit I do not wear my wedding ring
Engagement rings signify ownership? Crikey!
I wear my engagement ring and wedding ring on different hands which always confuses people!
to me the difference is the design… for an engagement ring it has to have a stone which sticks out… for a wedding ring it can have stones but not sticking out. its more understated than an engagement ring!!! the engagement ring is all about bling!!
Hi Amanda, gotta love some bling x
I wear an engagwmemt and wedding ring
What a useful article, my wedding ring is a gold band and my engagement ring has diamonds x
I have been wearing my engagement ring since I was 17, I am now 49- Yawn Yawn. Very interesting to read about the history
Until I was planning to get married I had no idea women wore 2 rings. When I found out I thought it was a joke and she was trying to scam me! Haha young love! Still happily married 6 years later!
I only wear my wedding ring, engagement ring when going out
Interesting – it is something I have never thought about as I am still single!
I have a gorgeous diamond engagement ring and a plain gold wedding band. I love them dearly but must admit I only wear them if I leave the house, they annoy me when cleaning etc