When your big day finally comes around, it is often the culmination of many months of planning and effort, and seeing the magic unfold as you finally become newlyweds is likely to be one of the most significant moments in your life. For the vast majority of happy couples, a major highlight of getting married is the exchange of wedding rings, which are tokens of love that will remain on both of your fingers as a reminder for many years to come.
To make the ritual even more special, there has been a growing trend in recent years towards bespoke wedding rings rather than standard, off-the-shelf bands. Custom-made rings mean that couples can design them to meet their personal tastes and specifications, making them even more precious, and incorporating the metals, jewels and stones that mean something to them as a couple.
If you’re considering investing in a set of tailor-made rings ahead of saying ‘I do’, then there are a few things to consider beforehand. Here’s all you need to know to make shopping for them a joy, and to minimise any unwanted stress – because let’s face it, wedding planning is stressful enough already.
Order with plenty of time to spare
To begin with, it is no good deciding on a bespoke service when there is insufficient time left for your rings to be crafted and delivered – so be sure to allow plenty of leeway by visiting your jeweller several months ahead of your wedding to avoid disappointment. Just like anything that is made as a one-off, a bespoke wedding ring is handcrafted, and not mass-manufactured, which means it can take considerably longer to get just right.
As a general rule of thumb, start thinking about ordering a bespoke ring from the time you set the date for the wedding itself. If any adjustments need to be made to the ring’s design, then there will be enough time to do so with this approach, too – ensuring that everything is perfect in time for your big day.
Coordinating or individual rings?
Some couples decide to opt for matching rings from the outset, which can be a lovely way to signify your binding together as a couple. When choosing bespoke rings, however, you can also add individual touches within a design aesthetic, which means your rings will look good together whilst still featuring some subtle differences.
Ultimately, it all comes down to personal choice, so take some time to decide as a couple what kind of rings you’d like before having them designed. By opting for the same metals and stones, you create space for slightly different designs to suit your personal tastes – but if the idea of having identical bands seems just about as romantic as things can get, then it’s a lovely and traditional route to follow, too.
Opt for the right precious metal
Gold remains the most popular metal for wedding rings in both standard and bespoke designs – however, it is far from the only option. Many brides, for example, will want a wedding ring that coordinates well with their engagement ring, especially if they plan to wear them both together, and in these cases, white gold or silver can work well.
For those who simply aren’t fans of yellow gold, platinum is another good choice as it is not only beautiful but durable, too.
Collaborate on the design with the jewellery maker
Many people come up with their own design concepts for their wedding rings, which is a great way to inject a bit of personality and individuality, ensuring that no other couple in the world will have the same pair.
However, initial concepts often need to be adjusted to make them more practical, so be willing to be flexible if needs be. Speaking to a master jeweller like Bonds of Brentwood is a good way to get a feel for how realistic your idea is, and the amount of time it will likely take to have it crafted. After all, jewellery makers have a wealth of experience to draw upon, so are best-placed to offer you some sound advice, and they’ll also be able to help you bring your vision to life.
