Choosing Wedding Rings for Men

Ah, weddings. The blissful bride, the sparkling diamonds on her finger, the grinning groom, the... Yeah. Not much attention is paid to HIS wedding band, but that's about to change with this article.

Men and jewelry aren't often words used in the same sentence. In fact, besides a nice watch, and sometimes a sentimental chain around the neck, most men don't wear any jewelry at all. A wedding ring is the one thing he will always wear so it's a good idea to research first and find that perfect band for your man.

Men's wedding rings are bigger than women's bands and are built to be durable and wear-resistant. Some good precious metals to look for are tungsten, titanium, platinum or 18K gold. Comfort is key too, as most men are different than women in that they are not slaves to fashion. Look for rounded edges or arced surfaces. Some jewelers now offer a comfort fit feature that makes the ring perfect to the man's finger.

You can also buy your man's wedding band as part of a set with your own. The bands will match and have a 'his and her' quality to them. Many couples opt for this route; however, if you and your man's tastes vary greatly, this may not be the way to go.

Don't forget about your budget! Although men's wedding bands are traditionally less expensive than women's engagement rings, there are still some very pricey ones out there, especially if they are made from platinum. Don't get your heart set on one only to find out it's out of your price range.

Also consider the type of man your groom-to-be is. Is he outgoing, the life of the party and always surrounded by a large group of people? Then he might like a more elaborate one with carving and beaded edges and precious stones. If your man is more down to earth, quiet and laid back, a simple ring with maybe a small inscription might be better suited to his tastes.

It's a great idea to go look at wedding bands with him at a local jewelry store to find out his tastes; they may surprise you! Remember too that your opinion comes second to his; if he really likes a certain ring, it's a wise idea to bite your tongue and let him choose what he wants even if you don't like it very much.

Finally, decide on where you're going to buy this ring. If he finds something he loves in the browsing/window shopping phase at your local jeweler, that may be the way to go. You can also take the ring then back to where it originated from for periodic cleanings and if you ever want to add anything to it in later years to celebrate anniversaries. Some folks opt to shop online for these bands, as the prices may be cheaper and it's very convenient. However, you aren't able to touch the ring then or feel the weight of it on your finger before you purchase it, so buyer beware.

Now that the rings are all figured out, what's left? Oh yeah... I do!