As many grooms prepare for engagement, they focus largely on the engagement ring and the diamond shape and setting that they know their bride will love. After they have garnered that much-anticipated “yes!”, however, there are yet more decisions to make regarding rings. As you look toward the unifying commitment that will bind your life story with your beloved’s, consider how your wedding bands can match or coordinate to illustrate your unity as well as your personal style.
What are Traditional Matching Wedding Bands?
The phrase “matching wedding bands” can mean a variety of things depending on who you ask. Some consider simple, traditional wedding bands in the same precious metal to be a matching set. Others use the term to refer to a specially designed his and hers wedding ring set, intentionally crafted to echo specific design elements. Traditionally, a bride’s and groom’s rings would complement the other by incorporating a common metal color and similar diamond accents.
Modern Approach to Matching Wedding Bands
Today, wedding ring options are varied, and couples can choose as much customization as they desire to craft matching wedding rings. Many couples opt for complementary rings that share common elements, like metal type, stone arrangement, and finish. These details can feature both in men's wedding bands as well as women’s bridal sets.
Popular His and Hers Wedding Bands Metal Options
The first design element many couples choose to approach is metal type. His and hers wedding bands come in a variety of precious metals, including:
- Yellow gold
- White gold
- Rose gold
- Mixed metals
Complementary His and Hers Wedding Sets
Because men’s and women’s hands are often vastly different in size, it makes sense for wedding bands to be crafted to serve those unique needs. It is often advisable to choose a coordinating his and hers wedding set that echoes design elements without fully copying the design. It is simple to create complementary his and hers wedding bands by identifying specific elements that you’d like to repeat in both bands:
- Number of diamonds
- Setting type
- Diamond shape
- Band width
- Metal finish
Repeating subtle design elements like metal finish and diamond shape help to create a stunning couple’s wedding band set that doesn’t feel gimmicky or overly matchy. If you’ve chosen an elaborate engagement ring, it may be helpful to choose a classic men’s wedding band to pair with it.
The details are the key to crafting a his and hers wedding set that is elegant and understated. Paying close attention to these particular elements can help you create a wedding set that you are both sure to love forever.
Stacking Coordinating Wedding Bands
A bride may wish to wear both an engagement ring as well as a wedding ring, which has become the traditional wedding set over the last century. Brides may also wish to stack additional bands over time to mark special milestones like an anniversary or the birth of a child. Similar guidelines apply here: repeated elements help make a cohesive set.
Can We Wear the Same Wedding Band?
Modern, fashion-forward couples may consider choosing a single wedding band design that suits both parties. Chunky gold bands are always appropriate for men but are also on-trend for fashionable brides who are looking for a more nontraditional style. Couples who opt to wear the exact same band should consider the wedding band width. A slimmer profile can maintain the masculine look while making a chunky band easier to wear on a slender finger.
Channel set diamond eternity bands are unisex but maintain a more traditional feel. Choose yellow or white gold for a classically elegant set, or make a bold statement with rose gold or an alternative metal. Consider black diamonds for an even more contemporary look.
If your tastes are understated or the budget is limited, you can never go wrong with clean, unadorned bands. A simple gold band can flatter any hand and coordinate with any engagement ring. These basic his and hers wedding bands can exude a vintage aesthetic in yellow gold with rounded edges, or suit an edgy, minimalist vibe in a platinum band.
Do Wedding Bands Have to Match?
Traditionally, an engaged couple would choose wedding bands that matched to symbolize unity and togetherness as they began their new shared chapter of their lives. However, modern brides and grooms often have a keener sense of personal style, and many couples opt for wedding bands that do not match in the traditional sense.
A trusted jeweler can work with you to incorporate special design elements into your chosen rings. If you don’t want your rings to match in the typical way, there are still ways to personalize your wedding band set to reflect both your individual tastes and your unified life as a couple.
Personalizing Your His and Hers Wedding Bands
Perhaps the most obvious way to personalize jewelry is through engraving. Consider engraving each other’s names on your bands. A significant date, like the wedding date, is another option many couples choose to personalize their rings. While space is limited, of course, you could also consider engraving a special phrase or quote, half on each ring.
Another way to personalize your matching wedding bands is by incorporating an unexpected gemstone. Two rings with vastly different designs will look unified if they both incorporate the same unexpected element. Consider a gemstone to represent a birth month or a significant date, or simply choose a gemstone that you and your partner both love!
Finally, you can make your couple’s wedding ring set more uniquely yours by mixing metals. Incorporating the same two metals into both rings creates a striking and distinctive set. One of our favorite mixed metal combinations includes yellow and white gold, which is available in a number of men’s wedding bands as well as women’s wedding rings and engagement rings.
Wear Your Love for a Lifetime
However you choose to coordinate or personalize your wedding bands—identical bands, a complementary set or distinct pieces paired only by your love—enjoy the process! Together, you can create a beautiful and tangible reminder of the unity of your relationship that you’ll treasure for years. We look forward to joining you on the journey!
