Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, filled with excitement, love, and memorable moments. Among the many decisions you’ll make as you plan your big day, one question many brides have is: How should I wear my engagement ring on my wedding day?
This simple detail can often cause confusion, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! As you get ready to say “I do” with your Melbourne wedding celebrant and wedding planner guiding the way, here’s everything you need to know about how to wear your engagement ring and why it matters.
The Tradition of Wearing Your Wedding and Engagement Rings
Traditionally, the wedding band is worn closest to the heart, on the left ring finger, with the engagement ring placed above it. This stems from the ancient belief that the fourth finger of the left hand contains a vein that leads directly to the heart, symbolizing the love and connection between a married couple.
On your wedding day, your Melbourne wedding celebrant will guide you through the ceremony and during the exchange of rings, your partner will place your wedding band on that same ring finger. So, the big question is. What do you do with your engagement ring? Here are some common options.
3 Ways to Wear Your Engagement Ring on Your Wedding Day
- Wear It on Your Right Hand One of the simplest solutions is to move your engagement ring to your right hand for the ceremony. This allows your partner to place the wedding band on your left ring finger without any interruption. Once the ceremony is over, you can switch your engagement ring back to the left hand, wearing it on top of your wedding band, following tradition.
This approach is elegant and ensures that there’s no fumbling with rings during the ceremony, keeping the focus on the vows and the special moments crafted by your Melbourne wedding celebrant or wedding planner.
- Keep It on Your Left Hand Some brides choose to keep their engagement ring on the left hand and simply slide it up slightly to make room for the wedding band. After the ceremony, you can adjust the engagement ring back into place, allowing it to sit above the wedding band.
This option is convenient if you don’t want to worry about moving the ring before the ceremony, though it may require a bit of coordination with your partner or wedding celebrant to ensure that the wedding band fits smoothly during the exchange.
- Don’t Wear It During the Ceremony Another option is to leave your engagement ring off entirely during the ceremony. Some brides choose to leave their ring in a safe place or hand it over to a trusted family member, maid of honor or even the wedding celebrant for safekeeping.
After the ceremony, you can place the engagement ring back on your hand to wear alongside your wedding band. This option keeps things simple and guarantees that there’s no fuss during the ring exchange.
Why Does It Matter How You Wear Your Rings?
Your engagement and wedding rings are symbols of your love and commitment and the way you wear them on your wedding day can enhance the meaning behind them. The exchange of rings is one of the most important parts of your ceremony and having a clear plan for how to wear your engagement ring ensures that the moment flows smoothly.
Working with an experienced Melbourne wedding celebrant and wedding planner can help you navigate these finer details. They’ll guide you through the ceremony, ensuring that the ring exchange is both meaningful and seamless.
Other Ring Tips for Your Wedding Day
- Get a ring cleaning: Before the big day, make sure to have your engagement ring cleaned so it sparkles beautifully in your photos.
- Practice the ring exchange: A quick rehearsal with your wedding celebrant can help ensure that the ring exchange goes smoothly, especially if you’re planning to move your engagement ring before or during the ceremony.
- Consider ring size: If your wedding band and engagement ring are different sizes, make sure they fit comfortably together. You want to be able to wear both rings with ease after the ceremony.
Deciding how to wear your engagement ring on your wedding day is a small but important detail that can enhance your ceremony. Whether you choose to move your ring to the right hand, slide it up on the left hand, or keep it off altogether. Make sure the option you select allows for a seamless and meaningful ring exchange for you.
With guidance from your Melbourne wedding celebrant and wedding planner, you’ll have all the support you need to create a flawless ceremony. After all, your wedding day is about celebrating love, commitment and the exciting journey ahead!
