Wedding Ring Etiquette

Updated on May 17, 2011
L.P. asks from Uniontown, PA
29 answers

Hi everyone. I'm getting married on May 28th. (panic ensues as I type that...)

This isn't any real big deal, but I'm wondering what is the typical way this is handled...

What do you do with your engagement ring during your wedding ceremony? Do you keep it on your left hand, and put your wedding ring on after it, then switch them after the ceremony? Wear the engagement ring on the right hand, then put it on your left hand after the ceremony?

Yeah, I know, no big deal, but I was just wondering...

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

Just wanted to thank you all for your well wishes. :)

ALSO, I just tried to put my engagement ring on my right hand, AND IT DOESN'T FIT!!! LOL I knew that finger was a bit bigger, but I figured I could still stuff my ring on it, but NOPE. It won't go! So, I guess I'll either be leaving it on my left hand, or removing it and putting it back on after the ceremony! Thanks, Ladies!!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You can keep the engagement ring on, add the wedding ring then switch them after the ceremony. That's what I did...I think. Or maybe my MOH had it on her hand....til after. ?

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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

traditionaly you keep the engagement ring on and slip the wedding ring on after it (because you were engaged first.) my cousin and i had this dicussion 2 minutes before she walked down the aisle and i asked my mom the next day because my wedding was a month after hers. right now i only wear my engagement ring because my wedding ring is two sizes to big (I got married 6wks postpartum!) my band was only temporary and will hopefully get the real things next month for my bday. Congrats!

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J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Engagement ring on the right hand until after the ceremony, then switched it to wear over the wedding band. My rings are not part of a set and not soldered together either.

1 mom found this helpful

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

Even though mine weren't sodered, I took off during ceremony and just had him put both on at the same time. A little fumbling, but cute.
CONGRATULATIONS and remember that no matter what "happens" at the end of the day you will have achieved the goal of becoming man & wife (that was my mantra to get through my wedding day ups and downs - lol!)

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B.

answers from Augusta on

I think I wore it and just switched them after.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

Engagement ring on the right hand and then move it over after!

A girlfriend of mine gave her engagement ring to the best man so that it could be blessed along with her wedding ring by the priest and then her husband put them both on during the ceremony.

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L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I wore mine on my right hand until after the ceremony. Then I swapped it over.
Best Wishes!
LBC

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R.D.

answers from Richmond on

I'm wearing my engagement ring on my right hand, and then switching after the ceremony :)

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P.M.

answers from Tampa on

I wore my engagement on left hand and put the band on after it.

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

You wear your engagement ring on your left ring finger up to the alter.
During the ring ceremony you remove your engagement ring and the groom puts the wedding ring onto your left ring finger (to be closest to your heart) then the engagement ring goes back on behind it and acts there after as a guard.
My wedding/engagement rings were designed to interlock together so they act as one ring.
We celebrate our 22nd anniversary of wedded bliss this August.

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K.M.

answers from Memphis on

I wore my engagement ring on my right hand and switched it after the ceremony. I don't think there is any one right way, though.

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C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I just wore it on my left hand and then switched it after

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A.D.

answers from New York on

I wore mine on the right and then swapped. Best of luck and many years o happiness to you!

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L.D.

answers from Albany on

I put mine on my right hand and switched it after the ceremony, 14 1/2 years ago. :) Congratulations!

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C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

You should have them soldered to gether BEFORE the ceremony. I worked in fine jewelry for five years and saw some ruined sets because they were never soldered together. Metal against metal will wear away and become very thin and razor-like.

Since they aren't a set, the band should be worn on the wedding day.

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T.N.

answers from Albany on

I did what Beth did, wore my engagement ring to the church, he put my wedding ring over it, then I switched them in the limo, tehehe. So only a week more then?! WooHoo!

:)

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J.G.

answers from St. Louis on

Depends on the ring. My first marriage my engagement ring did not go with the wedding ring. I had a simple band that I wore all the time and the engagement ring sat in my jewelery box except special occasions.

My new ring is part of a set so after we are married they are soldered together and is one ring so at the ceremony he just slips the wedding ring into place.

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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

I had my husband put both rings on during the ceremony with the wedding ring first, (closest to the heart) to me the engagement ring was is just as important as the wedding ring.

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A.J.

answers from Philadelphia on

Whatever you do make sure you groom knows whats up! I switched my engagement ring to my right hand right before I walked down the isle and when it came time to put the ring on my finger he was looking for the engagement ring and althought it brought on a laugh since I whispered its my left hand that goes on and he said "well I was looking for the engagement ring" in the end it was one memorable part of the whole evening! But honestly whatever works for you is fine for the day! Tradition has it that the wedding band goes on first since it should be one continous circle and be closest to your heart... But its not gonna hurt for a few hours if its turned around! Congrats on your big day and enjoy it!

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C.A.

answers from New York on

Wear it on your right hand and after the ceremony switch it over. Wedding ring on first then engagement ring.

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K.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

You're going to find varying answers. Traditionally the wedding ring goes inside with the engagement ring on top of that. But with some ring sets it look or fits better switched the other way. You can do different things with your engagement ring like put on your other hand, which you stated doesn't fit. You can have someone special hold it for you and put it on after the ceremony. You can also put both rings on the ring pillow and have your fiance put the wedding ring on and then the engagement ring on right afterward. You can also do what I did and others I've known did as well. That is have them soldered together. This way you won't have them spinning around in different directions or slipping. You won't wear any ring until the ceremony once they're soldered together. The set will be put on the pillow, if you use one, and the entire set put on your finger during the ceremony. It's the best thing I ever did and friends over the year agree when they did the same thing. I knew some friends that are older and after years and years of wearing that having the two rubbing against each other actually harmed the finish slowly grinding down a bit. But if you're someone who will not wear your engagement ring all the time except for special occasions then don't solder together. If you have a type of wrap set or connecting set then it would be a great idea to solder together beforehand.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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M.M.

answers from Detroit on

I had my husband to be put my wedding band on my finger and then my engagement ring. He had both rings that day and I wore nothing until he placed them on my finger.

Best of luck to you!! We are in our 11th year of a HAPPY marriage :)

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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

I think whatever works best for you and your groom. All of the suggestions that you have received are equally good. One other idea...let your groom carry the engagement ring in his pocket...and then he can replace it on your finger after the ceremony...before the reception begins.
Congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful wedding and a love filled life!! !

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

I wore engagement ring on right and put it over the wedding band after the ceremony. Congratulations and enjoy your day!!!!

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D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi, L.:

Leave it at home in a safe place.
Just a thought.
D.

P.S. I hope you have a long and happy life together. All the Best to you and yours.

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M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

My husband had both of them and he put them both on at the same time :).

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T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

I had mine soldered together, so he had them both until he put them on me during the ceremomy.

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K.L.

answers from Redding on

Just before I walked down the isle I switched my engagement ring to my right hand. My sister handed me my bouquet and I was ready to go.It was neat to do it right then,, Then he put my wedding band on my left hand, closest to my heart. After we came back down the isle we slipped into a small room while the church emptied out, and I had him take his band off so he could read what was engraved inside, and he took my engagement ring off my right hand and put it on my left next to the wedding band. Then we got the good kiss! and went back in for pictures and reception. He has NEVER taken his ring off since that day, and I had my 2 rings soldered together several years later to stop them from wearing down. I had to have them cut off and resized and was really shocked to see how thin they had become from rubbing against eachother all those years. Its been 36 1/2 years now!

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J.B.

answers from Houston on

I wore mine on my left hand and then just switched them quickly when we got out of the doors of the church. It was no biggie. But either way will work!! Congrats and breathe!! It's going to be such a great day! The only tiny piece of advice I can give on the panic side is something I did. I just decided to enjoy the day, no matter what. When the flower person was stuck in traffic and someone breathlessly told me this, I just said, 'well the groom is here, we are still good to go!!' Have a great and fun day :D

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