A Guide to Modern Men's Wedding Bands
First, the good news. Picking out a wedding band isn't as tough as you might think. The bad news? You’ve got a lot of options, which can be overwhelming if ring shopping isn’t really your thing.
Since we don’t want anyone to needlessly suffer, we decided to put together a handy guide for gentlemen that are looking for modern men's wedding bands but have no clue where to begin. Keep in mind that men wear wedding bands to symbolize their lifetime commitment with their special lady. Since that’s kind of a big deal, we highly recommend you don't wing it. Don’t know how to buy a men’s wedding ring? It’s okay, we’ve got you covered.
Do a little research, consult our guide, and shop wisely. We will do our best to give you a good starting point, but it’s up to you to do your due diligence. Refer back to our guide as needed, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure about something. Helping find the best men’s wedding bands modern guys love to wear is what we do!
Pick Your Budget
First things first, the cost of a men’s wedding ring can vary greatly. The reason we recommend starting with a budget first is because there's no sense in shopping for a ring if you don't know what you're willing to spend on one. Your budget will heavily weigh your decision. Factors like the material you choose, the width and finish of your band, whether you opt for diamonds or gemstones in the detailing, and the overall style of your ring can all impact the price.
Therefore, it's always a good idea to decide what you’re willing to spend first, so you can limit your search to rings that fit the budget. No sense in getting attached to a ring that’s beyond your reach! Remember there is no wrong or right way to shop for a ring. You can find a great ring at every price range, if you know what to look for and shop through a trusted dealer.
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Pick Your Width
Once you have figured out how much you want to spend on your wedding ring, you should consider how wide you want to go with your band. How wide or narrow you go will be determined by your budget, aesthetics, plus the comfort level you are looking for.
Since wider rings require more material to make, they can be more expensive than thinner rings. Width is also a matter of personal taste, so if you absolutely hate narrow bands, go for a wider one. Men’s wedding rings can range in size from 2mm wide to 10mm wide. However, most men land somewhere between 5mm-7mm for a comfortable width.
Be sure to choose a band that is proportionate to the size of your fingers and hands. If you have a long, slender fingers, a slimmer style will probably look best. Buying a band that is too wide for your fingers may look clunky and out of place.
If you have thicker fingers, a wider band will probably look more attractive and balanced. When trying on wedding rings for men, make sure you are paying close attention to the width. A ring that looks too small or too big on you can throw off the entire look of your wedding band. Consider aesthetics as well as comfort as you decide on the width of your wedding band.
Pick Your Material
The next step after deciding how wide you want your band to be is to consider what type of material you would like your ring to be made from. Keep in mind there are a range of different metals. Whether you go for Tungsten, platinum, gold or silver, there are many types of metals to choose from. Some will be more expensive than others, especially if they are considered a precious metal. If you want a unique men’s wedding band, choose a material like wood or titanium.
You can also find wedding rings made from unique materials. For instance:
- Some men like their wedding bands made from materials like wood. Wooden wedding rings are great for a custom, almost outdoorsy look.
- Some really like silicone rings that are designed for those with active lifestyles.
- Some men like to choose the type of material based on what looks best with their skin tone.
- Some men choose matching his and hers wedding bands based on how it complements the bride-to-be's engagement ring and wedding band.
- Some men prefer the sleek look of black wedding rings as a durable option for everyday wear.
Keep in mind that precious metals like platinum, gold, and palladium will be on the higher end of the price scale, while metals like tungsten, stainless steel, and titanium may be more affordable.
Men that lead active lifestyles and value comfort above all else, should consider silicone wedding bands. If you were to get your ring caught on something while working or being outdoors, a silicone ring is easy to remove. They are lightweight, attractive, and safe. What more could a modern gent ask for?
However you come to your decision, choose a ring that suits your taste, budget, lifestyle, and comfort-level. There is really no wrong or right way to do it!
Pick Your Style
Obviously, all men have a preferred style. You don’t want to just slap a ring on your finger you don’t actually like. Decide up front if you want a wedding band that fits a more traditional, timeless look, if you want a ring that’s more sleek and edgy, or something in between.
If antique and classic styles are more your thing, we recommend considering gold or silver colored wedding bands. For a look that’s more unique, we recommend trying alternative metals like tungsten, or even going with a wood or silicone wedding band.
Ultimately, choose a style that looks good as well as feels good. After all, you’ll be wearing it long into your foreseeable future, so while you don’t have to do cartwheels or anything, you should definitely be happy with it.
Pick Your Finish
Men's wedding bands come in a variety of different finishes you can choose from. Some of the most common finishes include:
- High polish
- Satin
- Matte
- Sand-blasted
For a classic, traditional look, many men prefer a high polish finish. However, be aware that some metals are more vulnerable to scratching with a high polish finish.
Satin is a similar finish to the high polish, though not quite as flashy since it doesn't reflect the light.
For an understated look with no shine or reflection, it’s best to go with a matte finish. And if you’re a man who prefers that sleek and edgy look, try a hammered or sand-blasted finish. Sand-blasted will give the ring a rough and rugged appearance while still offering zero shine or reflection, and a hammered finish gives the ring a very textured appearance.
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Pick Your Detailing
You’re nearly there! Once you choose a finish, it’s time to decide what kind of detailing you’d like your wedding band to have. For men that really like flashing some bling, channel set diamonds or other precious gems are perfect accents.
However, if you prefer to go with a more understated look, you might consider detailing like carvings, or go with a milgrain edging. You could even do custom carvings or engravings, like having your fingerprint etched into the band, or your heartbeat.
Detailing is again, a matter of personal tastes. Just keep in mind that the more intricate the detailing on your wedding ring, the more intricate the upkeep will be to clean and maintain it. If you’re largely low maintenance and don’t want to be bothered with taking your ring in for servicing on a regular basis, you should opt for styles and detailing that fit those goals.
Size It Right
Sizing is an important step you shouldn’t skip or downplay. When sizing your wedding band, it should fit snugly but still slide over the knuckle without too much effort. If you make the mistake of getting a wedding band that’s too big, you run the risk of it slipping off your finger.
This can mean heartbreak to your wife because there is sentimental value attached to the original wedding ring, and heartbreak to you when you consider the money lost because you had no idea where the ring fell off in the first place.
On the flip side, if you size your ring too small, it will be difficult (if not impossible) to get on and off your finger when needed. If the ring makes indents in your skin or you notice bulging around the edges of your ring, it’s probably safe to say that it’s too small. If your ring spins and spins on your finger, that’s a clear sign it’s too big. Some men find sizing tricky, because they often have larger knuckles. If you get a ring that slides over the knuckle easily, it can wind up being too loose around the base of your finger. There are different options to help combat this, like sizing beads to help a ring fit more snugly or considering a hinged wedding band designed for people that suffer from arthritis in the hands.
It’s highly recommended that when determining your ring size, you allow an experienced jeweler to help you. In fact, it might even be a good idea to see a couple of different jewelers and see how the sizing compares. Wait until late in the afternoon as that is when your finger size will be the most stable and accurate. Fingers tend to swell during the night, which makes morning sizing problematic. Extreme temperatures affect blood flow as well, so don’t try to determine your ring size if your fingers are half frozen.
The material of your ring can affect how well it fits and feels when you wear it, too. Some metals are heavier than others. This can impact comfort level, even if the ring is the right size. The best ring size should slide up over your knuckle without too much effort and fit the base of your finger snugly without being too tight. The ring shouldn’t spin willy-nilly or squeeze your finger so hard your digits turn blue. If it meets all of those criteria, it’s probably a winner!
Shopping for a ring shouldn’t be stressful. We hope our guide to modern men’s wedding bands has helped make the process easier than ever.
Check out our collection of men’s wedding bands to find the perfect ring for you!