When a potential groom proposes, he often gives an engagement ring as a sign of his love and affection. Romance novels, movies, and TV shows are filled with touching scenes of a future bride receiving a beautiful ring. Wedding rings may not get as much attention, but they're still an important part of marriage for many people. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about who should buy the man's wedding band and how couples should participate in this beloved tradition.
Who Buys the Groom's Wedding Ring?
Men started wearing wedding bands in the 1940s during World War II as reminders of their wives at home, and they continued wearing them after the war. Traditionally, the bride still buys the groom's wedding ring. Many people get help from family members for this expense. However, many modern couples choose to do things differently. The groom could decide to purchase his own ring, or the couple could divide the costs of both rings equally, even if one band is more expensive than the other.
Who Buys the Bride's Wedding Ring?
The groom usually buys the bride's wedding band, and the couple gives them to each other during the wedding ceremony. The groom buys an engagement ring before he proposes, but couples usually wait until a few months before the wedding to buy the wedding bands.
Does the Man Pick Out His Wedding Band?
Traditionally, couples chose wedding bands for each other. They surprised each other with the rings during the wedding ceremony. However, most people today choose their wedding bands together or discuss what they want with each other before making a purchase. That way, they can choose a matching set of wedding bands, make sure they both use the same type of metal, and tell each other their ring sizes and whether they're allergic to any metals.
Couples can also let each other know whether they prefer an ornate design with one or more stones or a simpler, more streamlined design. Some people choose to pick out their own wedding bands as well.
What Kind of Wedding Band Should a Man Get?
Many different types of men's wedding bands are available, and the style that's best depends on the taste of the couple. Some popular materials for men's wedding rings include rose gold, white gold, yellow gold, palladium, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, platinum, and stainless steel.
Pure gold has a yellow color and is 24 karats. Since gold is soft, it's usually mixed with other metals. With 18 karats, you'll get about 75% gold. White gold looks silver, and rose gold gets its pink hue from copper. Despite its soft color, it's the most durable type of gold. With any type of gold ring, you may have to get it polished occasionally to eliminate scratches. Platinum is one of the rarest metals in the world, so it's one of the most expensive options. However, it's much more durable than many other options, and it can retain its color and shine without cleaning for decades.
Palladium looks like platinum, but it's less durable and costly. It's also one of the only hypoallergenic metals available. Like platinum, tungsten is resistant to scratches and other damage. It's ideal for people who work with their hands, and tungsten rings can have wood inlays, engravings, and other interesting details. You can choose white, black, or gray options. However, you won't be able to resize a tungsten ring.
Titanium comes in silver-white or black. It's as strong as steel, but it's much lighter. Many design options are available, but you may have difficulty resizing these rings. Silver is affordable, but it requires regular cleaning, and it's not as durable as tungsten or titanium.
What Is the Best Style and Finish for a Man's Wedding Band?
There are many different styles available, and which one you choose depends on your personal taste and your lifestyle. The band for a classic court ring is round on the inside and the outside, while a D-shaped ring has a round, thin outside and a flat inside for a closer fit. A flat ring band is comfortable to wear, but it could catch more easily on objects. A flat court ring has a more rounded exterior, but it's not as round as a D-shaped ring.
High-polish ring finishes are most common, and they look smooth and shiny. A matte finish is less reflective, and a combination finish is between matte and high-polish. With a hammered finish, the ring looks like every detail was pounded in for a unique, textured look. You can also choose a wood or opal inlay.
How Wide Should a Man's Wedding Band Be?
Men's wedding bands are usually 6 millimeters wide, but thinner and thicker rings are common as well. A thinner ring could be more comfortable, and a thicker ring makes a bigger statement. It also provides more room for stones, inscriptions, or custom designs. Many styles are available, and you should choose the band width that feels right for you.
How Much Should You Spend on a Man's Wedding Band?
How much you'll need to spend depends on the material and style you choose. Many tungsten, stainless steel, and thinner gold rings cost less than $400. Thicker rings with detailed designs and more costly materials are more expensive. While a man's wedding band isn't as costly as a woman's engagement ring or wedding ring, a unique design with lots of details could cost a few thousand dollars.
Where Do You Buy Wedding Rings in NYC?
For an amazing selection of impressive, attractive wedding rings for men and women, contact Martin Busch Jewelers. We've been in business since 1954, and we specialize in creating custom rings and other jewelry. We can help you design the perfect men's wedding band or choose an awesome pre-made ring. We're a family-owned business, and excellent customer service is our first priority. We're open on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and we close at 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
