Do You Wear Your Engagement Ring When You Walk Down the Aisle?

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What to do with your engagement ring on your big day & beyond
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With your wedding only weeks away, there’s just 1 last major detail to finalize: what to do with your engagement ring. Are you supposed to wear it down the aisle, or is it better to put it away for safekeeping? Well, you’ve come to the right place for answers! We’ll tell you what the traditional etiquette is for wearing your engagement ring on your wedding day, what other options you have, and what to do with your engagement ring after you say, “I do.” Read on to learn more!

Things You Should Know

  • On your wedding day, it’s traditional to wear your engagement ring on your right ring finger so your partner can put your wedding ring on your left ring finger.
  • Keep your engagement ring on your left ring finger if you prefer. Or, wear it down the aisle on a different finger.
  • Alternatively, don’t wear your engagement ring at all. Keep it tucked in a ring box to pull out for pictures, or leave it at home.
Section 1 of 3:

Traditional Way to Wear Your Ring on Your Wedding Day

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    On their big day, many people choose to switch their engagement ring from their left ring finger to their right. During the wedding ceremony, your partner typically puts your wedding ring on your left ring finger. It’s traditional to place your wedding ring on your ring finger first so it’s closest to your heart, so having your engagement ring on your right hand prevents your partner from having to take it off first. [1]
    • After the wedding ceremony, you typically move your engagement ring from your right hand and place it on top of your wedding ring.
    • Try your ring on your right hand to make sure it fits ahead of time. If it’s too loose, keep it from sliding off by wrapping tape around the band or adding a ring guard . If it’s too small, consider taking it to a jeweler to get it resized.
    • The ancient Romans believed your left ring finger had a vein that went directly to your heart, which made it the perfect spot for couples to place their wedding rings. While that’s not exactly true, it’s why the tradition prevails.
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Section 2 of 3:

Other Ways to Wear Your Engagement Ring

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    1
    Keep your engagement ring on your left ring finger. While it’s traditional to wear your engagement ring on your right hand on your big day, you definitely don’t have to! If you’re used to your engagement ring being on your left ring finger, keep it there as you walk down the aisle. Either switch your wedding ring placement after the ceremony, or keep your wedding ring on top of your engagement ring. [2]
    • If you’re following a religious ceremony, ask your officiant if there are any rules about which finger you should wear your engagement ring on. There might be certain protocols about the exchange or placement of your rings.
    • Tell your partner if you plan to keep your engagement ring on your left ring finger. This way, they won’t be confused and try to take it off during the ceremony.
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    2
    Place your engagement ring on any other finger. If you have other rings you want to wear on your right ring finger, opt to wear your engagement ring on a different finger. If it fits, wear it on your right or left pinky, thumb, middle finger, or index finger. Just make sure it’s not super loose on your finger so you don’t have to worry about it slipping off. [3]
    • If you don’t want to wear your engagement ring on your finger, wear it as a necklace. Just slip it through any chain to have your ring near your heart as you walk down the aisle.
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    3
    Store your engagement ring in a ring box. You also don’t have to wear your engagement ring down the aisle at all. If you still want to have it for pictures before and after the ceremony, keep it safe in a ring box . Just tuck it away in the room that you’re getting ready in or leave it with your wedding planner. [4]
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    4
    Give your engagement ring to a friend to hold. If you don’t want to leave your engagement ring lying around, ask if a friend or family member will carry it for you. You might keep your engagement ring on for photos before the wedding and then take it off and give it to your friend for the ceremony. After the ceremony, you might put it back on for the reception. Whatever you do is up to you because it’s your wedding day. [5]
    • Alternatively, give your engagement ring to your partner. During the ceremony, they can put on your wedding ring and then place your engagement ring on top.
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    5
    Leave your engagement ring at home. Your engagement ring doesn’t have to be a part of your wedding at all. You might not want it in your pictures to give your wedding ring the spotlight, or maybe you just want to keep your look simple. Keeping it tucked away at home also removes the hassle of switching your rings after the ceremony, making your big day just that much easier. [6]
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    6
    Solder your engagement and wedding ring together. Many people fuse their rings together after they get married to protect them and make them more comfortable to wear. If you want to simplify your jewelry and ceremony, go to a jeweler to get your rings soldered several weeks before your wedding. While you won’t wear your engagement ring down the aisle, your partner will put your beautifully combined engagement and wedding ring on your finger during the ceremony. [7]
    • The downside of soldering your rings before you get married is that you won’t be able to wear your engagement ring leading up to your wedding.
    • When a jeweler solders your rings, they fuse them together with a separate piece of metal, so there’s no damage to your rings. The fusion is also discrete and reversible. [8]
    • Some jewelers solder rings that you bought from them free of charge, so call or visit your jewelry store to see if they offer this deal.
    • Soldering is a great choice for a lot of people, but consider how you want to wear your rings. If you want to leave behind a ring on some days or mix and match your rings, it might not be the best option for you.
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Section 3 of 3:

Do you wear your engagement ring after you get married?

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    Like wearing your engagement ring on your wedding day, there are no rules about wearing it after you’re married. Some people stack it on top of their wedding ring , keep it on their right ring finger indefinitely, or only wear their wedding ring . You might decide to just wear your wedding ring after a few years, or opt for no rings at all. It’s really up to what you like! [9]
    • You don’t have to wear your wedding ring on your left ring finger at all. In places like Russia and India, it’s traditional to wear your rings on your right hand.
    • If you don’t like wearing rings, wear your engagement and wedding ring as necklaces. Or, get them tattooed on your finger instead.
    • Or, choose a different way to show your love for each other in place of rings. You and your partner might frame your wedding certificate, buy each other champagne flutes with your wedding date, or go on your dream vacation.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.capetowndiamondmuseum.org/blog/2018/09/the-tradition-of-engagement-rings-on-the-left-hand/
      2. ↑ https://weddingpioneer.com/do-you-wear-engagement-ring-on-wedding-day/
      3. ↑ https://trulytogethereventco.com/what-should-you-do-with-your-engagement-ring-during-your-ceremony/
      4. ↑ https://trulytogethereventco.com/what-should-you-do-with-your-engagement-ring-during-your-ceremony/
      5. ↑ https://paunveiled.com/do-you-wear-your-engagement-ring-down-the-aisle/
      6. ↑ https://weddingpioneer.com/do-you-wear-engagement-ring-on-wedding-day/
      7. ↑ https://www.capetowndiamondmuseum.org/blog/2018/09/the-tradition-of-engagement-rings-on-the-left-hand/
      8. ↑ https://weddingknowhow.com/jewelry/soldering-wedding-rings/
      9. ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/what-goes-first-engagement-ring-or-wedding-ring

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