A guide to choosing your wedding rings
How to Choose Your Wedding Rings
More Than a Band. A Ring for Life.
Wedding rings are not just another purchase.
They are the one piece of jewellery you will wear through every season of your life. Through ordinary days and extraordinary ones. Through the quiet years and the milestone moments.
As a designer maker with over twenty five years at the bench, I have created countless rings in silver and gold. Some beautifully traditional. Some gently unconventional. Some that were never originally designed as wedding rings at all, yet have become exactly that.
If you are choosing your wedding rings, here is what I encourage you to think about.
1. Choosing the Right Metal
The first decision is usually metal.
Sterling Silver
Silver is bright, contemporary and beautifully understated. It is more affordable than gold and suits those who love cooler tones.
It is softer than gold, so it will mark more easily over time. Personally, I do not see this as a flaw. Silver develops character. It reflects real life. But if you prefer a ring that retains a crisper surface for longer, gold may suit you better.
Gold
Gold is harder wearing and carries centuries of tradition. I work in 9ct and 18ct gold, depending on your preference and budget. Gold is more expensive because the raw material itself holds greater value, but for a ring worn daily for decades, durability can be worth the investment.
Combining Metals
Some of my designs blend silver with 18ct gold details. This allows warmth and contrast to sit together, and can echo tones in an engagement ring while still feeling unique.
There is no correct answer here. Only what feels aligned with you and your life.
2. Do Your Rings Need to Match?
Traditionally, couples chose identical bands. Today, I see far more individuality.
You might choose:
• Matching rings in different widths
• Complementary rings linked by texture or detail
• Completely independent designs that reflect each of you
Unity does not require uniformity.
Interestingly, although I have had several enquiries about my shoreline inspired rings being chosen as wedding rings, it has mostly been women drawn to them so far. These rings tend to attract those who do not want a traditional plain gold band. They appeal to lovers of the sea, movement and texture.
And that is perfectly fine. Your rings can connect in meaning rather than in appearance.
3. Your Lifestyle Comes First
Before committing to a design, ask yourselves:
• Will this be worn all the time?
• Do you work with your hands?
• Are you active, outdoors, practical?
• Will you remove your ring for certain activities?
A ring should fit your life comfortably.
This is one reason my shoreline inspired collection works beautifully as wedding jewellery.
The Water’s Edge
Inspired by the ripples left in the sand along the North Norfolk coast, these rings carry movement within the metal itself.
The organic texture means small scratches blend into the surface rather than standing out. Life adds to the design instead of detracting from it.
Diamonds can be flush set, sitting securely within the band. No raised claws to catch. No sharp edges. Practical enough for everyday wear, yet meaningful and distinctive.
4. Stones or No Stone
A wedding ring does not have to be plain.
You may want:
• A single diamond
• A scattering of stones
• A smooth, classic band
• A textured surface without stones
Flush set diamonds are ideal for everyday wear. They sit within the band, secure and smooth. Diamonds traditionally symbolise strength and enduring love, which is why they are often chosen.
If stones are central to your story, we can discuss size, placement and practicality carefully.
5. Does It Need to Sit With an Engagement Ring?
If there is already an engagement ring, proportion matters.
We consider:
• Height and profile
• Whether you want a perfectly flush fit
• Whether a gentle gap feels acceptable
• Whether the wedding ring should frame or stand independently
Sometimes the most beautiful solution is one that feels balanced rather than forced.
6. Finish and How It Will Age
This is often overlooked.
A highly polished ring looks stunning when new, but over time it will dull slightly and show fine scratches. That is completely natural.
Engraved designs will soften gently over decades.
Organic textures, especially those inspired by nature, tend to wear beautifully. Marks blend into the surface. The ring evolves with you. It becomes uniquely yours.
When choosing your finish, think not only about how it looks today, but how you want it to age.
7. Meaning Beyond the Obvious
A wedding ring already symbolises commitment. But it can carry deeper personal meaning.
Perhaps:
• A texture inspired by a shared place
• Recycled gold from inherited jewellery
• A hidden diamond set inside the band
• A meaningful engraving known only to you
This is where bespoke design becomes powerful.
8. Bespoke Design and Remodelling
One of the most meaningful ways to create wedding rings is through remodelling.
I often work with inherited gold, sentimental pieces, or jewellery that is no longer worn. We melt and reshape the metal into something new, carrying history forward into your marriage.
A grandmother’s ring. A parent’s gold chain. Even broken pieces sitting in a jewellery box.
Remodelling allows your wedding rings to hold not just your future, but your past.
If you have a clear vision, we can design from scratch. If you feel unsure, we begin with conversation. I sketch. I refine. I create something that belongs uniquely to you.
No two bespoke wedding rings are ever identical.
9. Ordering Online? Ring Size Matters
If you are ordering remotely and unsure of your ring size, do not worry.
You can purchase a set of metal ring sizers online for less than five pounds. They are simple to use and far more reliable than guessing.
It is a small step that ensures your ring fits comfortably from the beginning.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding rings do not have to follow tradition unless you want them to.
They can be classic. Textured. Understated. Distinctive. Matching. Independent. Simple. Symbolic.
The only real requirement is this:
They should feel right on your hand and in your heart.
Because this is not just jewellery.
It is the piece you will wear while you build a life together.