Wedding rings
Wedding rings are probably the most symbolic aspect of getting married. They can look absolutely stunning, and while they can be expensive, wedding rings also have a lot of meaning. By the very fact they are circular, wedding rings represent a unity with no beginning and no end.
Brief history of wedding rings
You probably already know that wedding rings and engagement rings are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand. But you may not know this is because it was believed that the left hand had a special vein, "the vein of love", that ran directly to the wearers heart. This may sound romantic to some, but it will also be a bit sickly to others!
The wearing of wedding rings or engagement rings did not become customary until Roman times. Engagement rings did not exist until the 13th century when Pope Innocent III declared that a waiting period should precede the actual wedding ceremony. Therefore, today we have one ring for the engagement, which is usually a diamond solitaire and one ring for the wedding, which is usually some type of gold band.
The wedding rings expert
It's important to choose something you love and a design that preferably won't date over time. So we spoke to designer Dinny Hall about her thoughts on wedding rings. Dinny first honed her skills at the internationally renowned Central Saint Martins School of Art in London. She's been creating wedding rings for over 20 years now and was recently voted in Wedding Day magazine as one of the UK's top jewellers. Dinny's company now has four outlets around the UK.
So Dinny, what is it about wedding rings that inspires you?
I see wedding rings as the perfect way to exchange gifts - the purity of them is so beautiful. I have a great love of gemstones and a real passion for working with metal - so they make a pretty good combination for creating wedding rings!
You must've had some unusual requests in the past...
Absolutely. I was once asked to make a wedding ring with sunflowers all around it. It was very unusual, but looked fantastic. I also have had a few requests for men's wedding rings with diamonds set on the inside of the ring. This is quite different, but it's quite a unique way to turn a plain band into something special.
What's the most popular material people are asking for these days?
Platinum seems to be the most popular material for wedding rings at the moment. It looks great, but it is also very expensive. 14-carat white gold looks just the same, but is a cheaper alternative. Red gold is also proving popular at the moment - it's a bit softer than the standard yellow gold you see a lot of. People are proving quite diverse and with so much choice available it's hard for one particular material to stand out.
Advice on wedding rings
We asked Dinny for a few quick tips to help make sure that when it comes to wedding rings, you know your stuff. These invaluable snippets of advice will help make your wedding rings experience an enjoyable one.
In terms of looking after wedding rings - yellow, red or rose gold rings need no care at all. However, rings with gems ideally need to be checked annually. The gems can be knocked or loosened without you realising and you could lose the stone. A quick yearly check up will give great peace of mind.
Sizing is an important issue for wedding rings - especially for men, who tend to order one size too big. The jeweller will advise on sizing, but it's imperative you're happy with the fit. You don't want it too tight so that it's uncomfortable, but likewise you don't want it so loose that it might fall off your finger.
Don't be too mindful of fashion - trends will change, but your wedding ring won't. Think about whether it feels heavy - chunky may be a popular style at the moment, but you don't want to feel the weight. And will it be comfortable for everyday use? You need to remember you'll be wearing your wedding ring all the time, so it almost needs to feel like it's not there.
For the engagement ring, ask yourself - does it work with your other jewellery? You may have a favourite (and/or expensive) necklace, bracelet or set of earrings - think about whether your wedding ring will clash if you're wearing the other pieces of jewellery.
But above all, you should make sure that choosing your wedding ring is a pleasurable experience, and enjoy absolutely everything about it.
To find out more about Dinny and her wedding rings, visit www.dinnyhall.com
Click here to go back to the articles homepage - where you can discover advice for all the other aspects of your wedding.
Images of wedding rings from the Dinny Hall collection
