Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Wedding Bands

Your beautiful love story should be celebrated with a pair of wedding bands that’s just as gorgeous as the love you and your partner share. After all, these precious rings are symbols of your love and commitment to each other and, as such, their beauty should reflect that of your love story.

So, to help you find the perfect wedding bands for you and your other half, our experts have put together this handy guide. Here, you’ll find answers to all your questions about wedding rings and some pro-tips on how to find the best bands for you. Dive in!

Two gold wedding bands
Diamond engagement ring and two bands

Are engagement rings and wedding bands the same thing?

No, they’re two different types of rings, and they symbolize different stages of a relationship. The engagement ring is given during the proposal as a symbol of a couple’s promise of marriage. As for the wedding bands, they’re exchanged at the wedding ceremony, usually after the vows, to represent a couple’s bond in marriage.

Even though they represent different phases of a relationship, both engagement rings and wedding bands are symbols of the love and commitment that’s shared between two people, making them incredibly special rings.

When should you buy your wedding bands?

There is no set rule here, but the best approach is to start looking for wedding bands early on. How early, though, is completely up to you. However, our pro-tip is to do it as soon as you pick the wedding date.

That way, you and your partner will have more than enough time to find the perfect wedding bands. Not to mention, you’ll also have some leeway to get them engraved or resized, in case you need to do that.

tray filled with wedding bands

You might want to pick your rings closer to the wedding day, and that’s ok, too. Whenever you decide it’s the right time to look for wedding bands, just remember that buying such a meaningful piece of jewelry should never be an afterthought. After all, these rings are important, so you should put time and money aside for them.

 Most popular men's wedding bands Your wedding band should be an extension of your unique personal style, so try not to get too caught up in the latest trend or to stick to the most classic design just because. Instead, choose the wedding band design which speaks to you the most.

 After all, you’ll be wearing your wedding ring every day for years, so it’s important for you to love it.  

Lady placing wedding band

To help you narrow down your options, here are some of the most popular wedding ring designs for men.

• Gold wedding bands
• Men’s diamond wedding bands Black wedding bands
• Beveled-edge wedding bands Flat wedding bands
• Wedding bands with unique patterns, inlays, and carvings
• Textured wedding bands
• Two-tone wedding bands  

Most popular wedding bands for women

The best way for you to figure out which wedding ring style to get is to use your engagement ring as a guide. That way, you can look for wedding bands which complement your ring or have something in common with it, such as the same precious metal, diamond cut, gemstones, or overall aesthetic.

To help you find the best fit for you, here are some of the most popular wedding bands for women

• Eternity bands
• Half-eternity wedding bands
• Gold wedding bands
• Stackable wedding bands
• Gemstone wedding bands
• Ring wraps
• Infinity diamond bands
• Wedding and bridal sets

Man placing old band on woman finger
Gold woman and mans wedding band

Are wedding bands supposed to match?

This is completely up to you and your partner. Wedding band sets and matching his and hers wedding bands have been growing in popularity lately. However, the same can be said for mismatched bands.

So, don’t take that as an indicator of which direction to go and, instead, opt for what’s best for you and your soulmate. Whether you prefer matching bands or unique designs, whichever decision you make will be the right one because it’s what feels right for you as a couple, and that’s what matters the most.

Where to find the best wedding bands in the Bay Area?

At Shreve & Co., you’ll find the best selection of wedding bands for men and women in the Bay Area.

We offer an exclusive selection of beautiful wedding bands by world-renowned designers like Furrer-Jacot, Harry Kotlar, Hearts On Fire, JB Star, Sethi Couture, and much more. And, if you prefer, our custom design specialists can also help you create gorgeous bespoke wedding bands to celebrate your love.

Visit us on Post Street in San Francisco or in Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. And, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with our latest news and get some stunning jewelry inspiration!

Yellow diamond band