Everyone understands how wedding rings are inextricably linked to wedding celebrations in the same way a couple is connected. A wedding ring is a never-ending symbol of love and unity and is a traditional emblem of marriage but do men wear wedding rings?
For anyone wondering, as jewellery experts based in Ireland, you will find the definitive answer right here!
Let’s start with the short answer before we head into more details about whether the man in your life should join his partner in declaring his love by wearing a ring.
A widespread tradition now is for grooms and brides to both wear a wedding ring. It is, however, a personal taste for a man to opt for a wedding ring as an emblem of marriage. Men have worn wedding rings more generally since the mid 20th century. Previous to this, it was only brides who wore them.
When did men start wearing wedding rings?
The tradition of wearing a wedding ring is centuries old and dates back to ancient Egyptian times.
Historians have discovered evidence that brides in Egypt wore wedding rings as Egyptian pharaohs believed that they represented eternity.
The unbroken circle has no beginning or end and also is symbolic of their revered and worshipped sun and moon. The empty space in the middle of a ring was also honoured as a gateway to the unknown.
Originally wedding rings were only worn by women
At this time a wedding ring was traditionally only worn by women as it symbolized ‘ownership’ by their husband.
Many men today wear a wedding ring to symbolize love and devotion, However, it was not until many years later that men also wore a ring as an emblem of marriage.
Wedding rings for men became popular during WW2
During World War Two, many men began wearing rings as an indication of their love and memory of the wives they had left behind whilst fighting overseas.
During the 60s and 70s as European jewellery began to become more popular, necklaces and bracelets were worn by an increasing number of men. This boom also increased the popularity of men’s wedding rings.
The advancement of women’s rights also meant that the exchanging of rings from both men and women in marriage celebrations grew in popularity.
“It was not until many years later that men also
wore a ring as an emblem of marriage.”
But does this mean a man has to wear a wedding ring?
Read on to discover more.
Is a man's wedding ring down to personal choice?
As the new cohorts of millennials and Gen Z become of age, they are breaking new boundaries in many ways, including how they choose to commit to each other.
But anyone from all age groups is free to choose how they want to celebrate a connection to their loved one.
Whether you decide to follow the traditional plain gold wedding band, tungsten or even a silicone type for active partners, it’s totally your choice.
Making decisions together is a part of your commitment for anyone taking wedding vows, so whether or not you choose to both wear wedding rings is your decision. And one which we hope you will both arrive at amicably.
So does a man always have to wear his wedding ring on his left hand as is traditional in western culture?
Let’s find out.
Is it ok for a man to wear a wedding ring on his right hand?
In general, the left hand is the traditional hand to wear either a lady's or man's wedding ring.
However, it’s worth knowing that in some countries it’s more usual and acceptable to wear the wedding ring on the right hand.
For instance, in some cultures and countries such as Norway, Russia, Spain and Germany they are traditionally worn on the right hand.
“in some countries, it’s more usual and acceptable to
wear the wedding ring on the right hand.”
Who traditionally buys a man's wedding ring?
Again if you are following tradition, it’s usual for the bride to choose and purchase a man's wedding ring. As we’ve found out with modern conventions and a more relaxed approach to customs, there are other ways.
Personal preference is the key.
- Pay for your own ring: With a nod to men and women’s more equal footing in today’s society, many couples choose to pay for their own ring.
- Choose rings together: Going shopping together for rings is a wonderful way for a couple to spend time together. Choosing rings together establishes a forever bond and the added bonus you can buy rings that complement each other.
- Go Dutch: Many couples appreciate the fact they can simply split the cost of both the groom's and bride's rings. This can help if one ring is considerably more than the other.
How should I choose a wedding ring for a man?
Often when shopping for the best wedding rings for men, in Ireland but also across the U.K., it can be difficult to know where to start!
Which size band would be best, which type of metal and more importantly which size.
Ring size
This is probably one of the first places to start when choosing wedding rings for men
Knowing a man's ring size makes sure no one makes any expensive mistakes and can also help to determine the style.
Just guessing is not the best approach for such an important piece of jewellery that will be worn every day. A loose ring is liable to work its way free or one that’s too tight can be extremely restrictive.
How do I measure a man's wedding ring?
There are many ways available to measure ring size, here's one basic way to measure the ring size.
- Wrap string or paper around the base of your finger
- Mark the point where the ends meet.
- Measure the string or paper with a ruler in millimetres (mm)
- Pick the closest measurement on the ring size chart to find your ring size.
As heat can make fingers swell, while cooler temperatures can give a smaller reading for size, it’s best to choose a time when you are at an ambient temperature.
Take your measurements for the best results at the end of the day. This is because in the mornings fingers are at their slimmest.
Don’t forget if you are in Ireland, you can also pop into our beautiful flagship Dublin store to have your ring expertly sized for you by our team of specialist jewellers.
Band size
In general, it’s difficult to know which band size is best on a man's wedding ring, until it’s been tried on.
Lots of factors come into play here, such as hand and general finger size, so slipping it on is the best way to judge.
There are many widths to choose from, from the wider 5mm bands, 4mm bands or the slimmer 3mm and a super slim 2.5mm.
HENDERSON - 5mm | Men’s Wedding Ring
What are the best wedding rings for men?
Traditionally a man will wear a simple yellow gold band to represent his love and symbolize devotion.
So although there is a huge range of gold wedding rings for men, there are also many others in a range of quality precious metals to show your commitment.
Other metals such as platinum, white gold and two-toned gold are becoming more popular for the discerning groom. Wedding rings for men with diamonds are also a more unconventional option and can beautifully echo a bride's engagement ring.
And finally…
So we hope that’s given you lots of information on whether men wear wedding rings and you can now make that important decision!
Join us here for a VIP greeting at our award-winning elegant Dublin store. Choose from our stunning array of quality white gold, two-toned, and platinum men’s wedding rings.
Book an appointment with our expert jewellers today to find the perfect ring to symbolize your love.