How to Pick a Wedding Band That Matches Your Engagement Ring

originally posted on brides.com

​Once your perfect engagement ring is sitting pretty on your finger, it probably feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders—it’s one less very important item you can check off your to-do list! But, the ring journey is not over just yet: now it’s time to pick a wedding band that matches your engagement ring.

While some engagement rings are made by jewelry brands that offer matching wedding bands, many are not. It can be difficult to find a band that looks right at home with your ring, especially if your ring features an unusual center stone, a unique center stone cut, or a bold metal. Since these two rings are going to be worn together forever, you want them to really flow together perfectly, like a match made in heaven. 

 The Complete Guide to Wedding Bands
That said, there’s a lot to consider, and so many options to choose from. Brides spoke with jeweler Colleen Montague, who says that one of the most important things you want to do is make sure that the engagement ring remains the star of the show. “Try to choose a wedding band that won’t overpower your engagement ring,” she says. 

MEET THE EXPERT

Colleen Montague is the lead jewelry designer and owner of Moissy Fine Jewellery.

Ahead, everything you need to know about finding a wedding band that fits perfectly around your engagement ring—including our favorite ring pairings!

Choosing a Metal
Traditionally, wedding bands and engagement rings are made of the same metal, so many people assume that they have to be made of the same metal. This isn’t true. “Be creative! Don’t be afraid to mix metals and shapes,” Montague says. “Mixed metals can really give a wedding set a modern look.” 

Need some ideas or inspiration? “The most common mix is a white and yellow gold set, but don’t be limited in what you love,” Montague says. “Mixing white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold has proven to be really stunning.” She explains that adding, say, yellow gold to a white gold engagement ring can make the set pop and look more unique. 

 Which Type of Ring Metal Should You Choose?
Types of Wedding Bands
After settling on a ring metal, you'll next have to decide what style wedding band you prefer. Consider whether you want a wedding band that sits flush against your engagement ring, or if you don’t mind a small gap between the two. Most of the time, this will depend on the setting of your engagement ring. A high-profile setting, like a cathedral, has space for a wedding band to sit snugly underneath the stone with no gap. 

You should also make sure the width of your engagement ring and wedding band are the same or similar. For example, if the band of your engagement ring is thin, opt for a thin wedding band as well. 

Classic Wedding Bands
If you don't want a gap between your two rings, opt for a classic wedding band style. There’s the very simple plain metal band, no extras added; the eternity wedding band, which features pavé diamonds all around the band; and the channel-set wedding band for a different way to mount diamonds. 

Infinity style wedding bands, which feature the infinity symbol throughout, are also popular, but may not rest completely flushed with your engagement ring.

Contoured Wedding Bands
Maybe the setting of your engagement ring isn’t high, and a band cannot sit underneath the center stone. You can still get a band that sits flush against the ring with a contoured style. 

A contoured wedding band is designed to match the curvature of your engagement ring. In the front, the band is shaped to follow the contours of your ring so it sits perfectly against it. It’s very common, elegant, and looks completely natural. 

Notched Wedding Bands
Another option for a flush look is a notched wedding band. If a contoured band looks like it was created specifically for your ring (which it very well may have been!), a notched wedding band looks like a puzzle piece. It’s completely straight until the front, where there’s a notch so that the stone can fit in place. 

Pairing Suggestions
When it comes to finding the perfect wedding band and engagement ring set, there’s really no right or wrong answer. You can go with the classic and traditional look of the same metals and simple bands, or you can opt for something more unique and modern, like mixed metals or a band with embellishments. 

---