How to Choose a Wedding Band

Choosing a wedding band sounds simple - until it finally comes time to do so.

There are so many moving parts - width, shape, texture, material. It’s easy to second-guess every decision. Should it match your engagement ring? Stack cleanly with future bands? Say something about who you are?

The good news is you don’t have to stress about how to choose a wedding band. The experts at Alexis Russell are here to guide you through the process and show you how to pick a wedding band that complements the engagement ring you’ve chosen.

That’s right - we’re not just your trusted choice for a unique engagement ring. You can count on us for custom wedding rings, too!

We’ve already helped thousands of couples find the band that feels just right - down to the last curve, finish, and fit. Whether you want something timeless, textured, or totally custom, let’s work together to make it happen!

The Importance of Choosing a Wedding Band

The band of your wedding ring is actually where the real symbolism lies. It’s a continuous circle that represents commitment, unity, and the life you’re building together.

But unlike the engagement ring, which typically features a stunning, standout center stone - be it diamond or one of the many alternatives to diamond engagement rings - wedding bands are much more understated. That doesn’t make it any less significant, though - it’s the ring you’ll wear every single day from here on out.

Beyond the symbolism, there’s an aesthetic side of things to weigh as well. It should complement your engagement ring without overshadowing it. There are so many different directions you can take this, which is where some of the uncertainty you’re feeling stems from.

Some bands are designed to nestle perfectly against the engagement ring, creating a cohesive, stacked look. Others stand apart intentionally, adding contrast or textural interest.

The width, curvature, metal choice, and detailing of your wedding band all influence how the final set looks and feels on your hand. That’s why this decision shouldn’t be rushed or treated like an afterthought.

But don’t let all these varieties stress you out - it means you can tailor the band to your exact preferences! Let’s get into how to choose a wedding band below.

How to Pick a Wedding Band That Complements the Engagement Ring

Just as we did in our guide on how to shop for engagement rings, we’re going to walk you through every little detail involved in choosing a wedding band below.

But remember, there’s real people at Alexis Russell with years of experience in wedding band design ready to help you navigate this decision one-on-one! So, don’t hesitate to reach out if you want more personalized guidance.

In the meantime, here are some tips on how to choose the perfect wedding band.

Match vs Contrast: What’s Your Style Approach?

The first crossroads you’ll come to in choosing a wedding band is whether you want something that matches your engagement ring or contrasts with it. There are no right or wrong answers here - totally personal preference. But what does this actually look like in practice?

Matching wedding bands typically involves using the same metal and width of your engagement ring with complementary details. So, an engagement ring with pavé diamonds would be paired with a wedding band with pavé diamonds to accentuate the sparkling effect.

This approach is the most popular, especially for those who love symmetry and want a uniform set that fits together like a glove. But, contrasting bands have their place. This brings a more eclectic, individual touch to your stack.

This could mean pairing a sleek, plain band with a detailed vintage-style ring, or mixing metal colors (like rose gold against platinum). Whatever the case, the goal is to add dimension and make your engagement ring stand out more clearly. It’s the star of the show, your wedding band is a supporting castmate.

Band Shape and Fit: Curved, Contoured, or Flush

You’ll also have to think about how your wedding band sits against your engagement ring. This influences both comfort and style. As for how to pick a wedding band that complements the engagement ring, there are three ways you can go about it:

• Flush bands are straight across. They work best with engagement rings that have high-set stones or minimal interference from the setting. These provide a clean, side-by-side alignment if there’s enough clearance.
• Curved bands are gently shaped to hug the edge of the engagement ring’s setting. A solid choice when your center stone sits low or your ring has a decorative basket or halo that would otherwise cause a gap.
• Contoured bands (sometimes called notched or chevron bands) have a more defined dip or shape so they can nestle tightly against the contours of the engagement ring. These are custom-fit solutions that reduce movement between the rings.

Just think about how flush you want the stack to feel and whether gaps between the rings bother you aesthetically. We can help you create a custom contour band that mirrors your engagement ring’s shape perfectly, even if you didn’t get your engagement ring from us.

Should You Go With Slim, Medium, or Bold Width?

Wedding band width shapes how your full set looks or feels, just like the band shape - but in a slightly different manner. Here, it’s more about comfort, how the rings spin, and how well they mesh together. We like to categorize width in three ways:

• Slim bands (1.0-2.0mm) are dainty and delicate. They’re great for minimalist sets or pairing with large engagement stones that you want to keep center stage. Slim bands also make stacking multiple rings easier.
• Medium bands (2.5-3.0mm) are the most versatile. They’re balanced - just enough presence to hold their own next to a solitaire or pavé engagement ring.
• Bold bands (3.5mm and up) are showstoppers, which is great if your engagement ring has a simple or modern design or if you want the band to be a more prominent part of the overall look.

We recommend trying a few different widths and seeing what feels right. Your finger size and lifestyle play a part here, but so do style preferences.

Remember, your wedding band width doesn’t necessarily have to match that of your engagement ring. Some people like the symmetry with matching band and engagement ring widths, while others prefer the contrast, as we touched on earlier.

Texture and Detailing: Plain, Hammered or Pavé

Surface texture adds personality and can make your band feel more “you.” Your engagement ring has its own unique texture/sparkle, and your wedding band can echo or contrast those details. Here are just a few of the many options:

• Plain bands are clean and minimal. They let the engagement ring shine. Go this route if you appreciate subtle elegance.
• Hammered bands have a textured, organic finish that reflects light differently than polished metal. They pair well with rustic or bohemian engagement rings and look handcrafted - because they are, when you work with Alexis Russell that is!
• Pavé bands add shimmer with rows of small diamonds set into the metal. They work well with other pavé or halo engagement rings and can enhance overall sparkle without adding bulk.

We like textured bands not just for style but for practicality. Some styles can work wonders to disguise daily wear, making them a more forgiving option than a plain band.

Metal Choice: Matching or Mixing Metals

We can’t talk about how to choose a wedding band without a conversation on metals - and it’s not just about picking between 14k vs 18k gold rings or rose gold. Gold is only one option worth exploring - others include platinum and silver.

The most obvious choice is to match the metal of your engagement ring - especially if you’re wearing them on the same finger. This keeps things uniform and can really tie your set together if you’re using a custom contour or flush-fit band. Mismatched tones might feel distracting here.

But, mixing metals DOES work really well in some cases. It can create a beautiful contrast that reflects your style and makes both rings pop. A yellow gold band against a white gold engagement ring creates a striking two-tone look. Rose gold paired with platinum brings in warmth and modernity. There are so many gorgeous combinations worth considering.

There is a middle ground, too, if you love the look of mixed metals but want a little cohesion. You could incorporate small design elements that repeat - such as matching textures, shapes, or stone settings.

One thing to keep in mind while choosing a wedding band is various metals wear differently. Softer metals like 18K gold may show scratches more readily than platinum. Think about the practical side of things as you learn how to choose a wedding band.

Think About Stacking in the Long Term, Too

There’s one more aspect we need to cover about how to choose the perfect wedding band.

We’ve talked a lot about stacking with your engagement ring, but you might stack more rings in the future.

Many people add anniversary bands or family rings later on, and your wedding band will likely sit in the center of that stack. It’s certainly not easy to forecast what the future holds for your ring stacking arsenal, but that’s another thing we can help you plan for at Alexis Russell.

Low-profile, flat bands stack more easily than curved or contoured styles. Talk to us about band shapes and profiles that allow for versatility down the road if that’s what you’re into.

Alexis Russell Can Help Narrow it Down to the Perfect Wedding Band For You!

We hope you feel more confident in how to choose a wedding band at this point. Although there’s a lot that goes into it, all that matters is you love your wedding band.

But whether you’re still trying to figure out how to pick a wedding band that complements the engagement ring or you’re ready to bring your vision to life, the team at Alexis Russell is here to help with the next steps. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years now!

You can take a look at our collection of wedding bands, from cigar band rings to our world-renowned sunburst styles. We have already created beautiful bands ready to be stacked. Or, work with us to design your own! We make the process fun and stress free from A to Z.

Everything we make is handcrafted in our New York studio using premium-grade, ethically-sourced materials so you’re getting a wedding band you’ll love. Take the next step today!

Closing Thoughts on How to Choose a Wedding Band

That does it for our guide on how to choose the perfect wedding band. From matching or contrasting with your engagement ring to picking the right materials, width, shape, and details - there’s a lot that goes into it, but you’re not alone in this journey.

Our blog has additional resources if you want to navigate the differences between a sapphire vs diamond ring, bezel vs prong setting, or any other aspects of picking the perfect ring.

Otherwise, it’s time to take what you learned in our guide on how to choose a wedding band and put it into practice! Alexis Russell is ready to help you find the wedding band that brings out the full potential of your engagement ring. Shop today!