Wedding rings tend to be considered around about the middle of the planning process, which makes sense. The venue, the photographer, the dress — those feel like the big decisions, and they are. Rings can feel like something you sort later.
That's mostly fine and you'll likely have plenty of time. Just worth knowing that if you want something made to order or customised in any way, check lead times, so it's not something to leave for the final fortnight.
The ways people buy wedding rings
High street jewellers are the natural starting point and often a good one. Independent jewellers in particular tend to know their stock well and can have a proper conversation about what suits you. The chains can vary. The experience of a busy Saturday in a jewellery shop, with a few other couples waiting and one adviser juggling everyone, isn't always the most relaxed environment for a decision you'll wear every day. But plenty of couples find exactly what they want that way.
Online is where most people research first, and it's a perfectly good way to explore styles and get a sense of price. The limitation is obvious: you can't try anything on. Width and profile especially are very hard to judge from a photograph. If you're buying online, check the resizing and returns policy carefully.
A home appointment — which is how things are done at our sister company, Smooch Rings, so we are not a neutral party here — works well for a lot of couples. The idea is simple: an adviser comes to you, brings a huge selection of rings, and you take your time in your own living room without anyone else waiting their turn or a glass cabinet between you and the rings. You can try on as many as you like, ask whatever you want, and there's no pressure.
What to think about when you're choosing
Metal is the first practical question. Platinum is traditional, durable, and naturally white. White gold looks similar, though it needs rhodium replating over time to stay that way. Yellow gold is a classic that has come back strongly in the last few years, while rose gold is warm and offers something a little different. Palladium is worth knowing about as it wears very well, but gets overlooked.
Width and profile matter more than people expect. A 4mm ring and a 6mm ring feel quite different on the hand, and a flat profile versus a court profile (domed slightly on the inside) changes how it sits day to day. The only way to know what you prefer is to try things on. This is the main reason we'd gently push back on buying purely online without trying anything first.
Customisation is becoming more widely available, though many suppliers still often sell rings that are fixed. Ask what's possible.
If you have an engagement ring, it's worth thinking about how a wedding band will sit next to it. Some engagement rings are shaped, or have stones set in a way that means a standard straight band won't fit flush alongside. In those cases you might want a shaped wedding ring that curves around it, or you might decide you're happy with a slight gap. There's no wrong answer, but it's a conversation to have with your jeweller early rather than late — ideally with your engagement ring in hand so they can actually look at it.
Matching sets are lovely when they work naturally. They're not an obligation. If one of you wants something quite different from the other, buying separately is absolutely fine.
Aftercare is worth asking about
One thing that's easy to overlook: what happens after you've bought the rings. Fingers change, rings get worn, settings need checking over time. It's worth asking any supplier about their aftercare policy. At Smooch Rings we include free resizing, polishing, and diamond setting checks on everything we sell, for life, because a ring is something you wear every day and it should stay in good shape. Other suppliers have their own policies. Ask the question.
A note on where we come in
Smooch Wedding Rings will be at all our wedding fairs. If you want to look at rings, come over and have a chat with us.
Smooch Wedding Fairs is a new series of locally focused wedding fairs for couples planning weddings in Hertfordshire and the Chilterns. We're backed by 25 years of experience in the wedding industry through our family business, Smooch Wedding Rings.
See our upcoming fairs →