If you have spent enough time with your significant other that you’re ready to propose, you don’t want to spend too much time thinking “which order do you wear engagement, wedding and eternity rings?”.
The whole reason we mark a wedding engagement with a ring in the first place is that it is an incredibly special occasion. Who wants to get pulled out of the moment to think about logistics?
Well, it turns out that the answer to the question of “which order” is actually really simple. This short guide is all that you’ll need in order to wrap your head around that question.
The Rings
Before we talk about the order in which these rings are supposed to be worn, let’s talk about the rings themselves. Too many people get so caught up in how the rings look (it is a visual representation of their love after all), but it is important to remember the reason we present these rings in the first place.
Each one has a specific role in helping you express your feelings and your relationship. So, it is good to understand the symbolism behind these rings as you and your partner wear them.
Engagement Ring
So, you proposed and they said yes. Congratulations! They’re wearing the ring, and it looks great! You made the right decision, and now you feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders (only to be replaced with an entirely new one now that it’s time to start the wedding plans, but that’s a whole different story).
Typically, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger (the fourth finger) on the left hand. On the wedding day, some brides choose to move the ring to the fourth finger of the right hand to make the wedding ring ceremony go more smoothly.
Wedding Ring
It’s the big day! You and your partner are at the altar and your marriage is only seconds away. You’re presented with the wedding rings, and you and your partner have them placed on your ring finger.
Why exactly do we have a ring finger though? The reason for this dates back to Ancient Rome. The Romans believed that there was a vein on the ring finger that connected directly to the heart. They called it the ‘vena amoris’ (vein of love). Unfortunately, thanks to modern medical science, we know that the vena amoris does not exist. Still, it’s quite a romantic notion, isn’t it?
Eternity Ring
They say the best things come in threes, and rings are no exception. Traditionally, eternity rings are diamond-set bands. In contrast to many eternity rings that feature stones all around the band, many people prefer rings with stones set along the band’s face and sides, which allows for greater comfort and resizing if necessary.
Unlike the previous two rings, there is no clearly defined moment to give your partner an eternity ring. It is supposed to symbolise the everlasting nature of your relationship, so it’s up to you and your partner. Some choose to present eternity rings on a significant milestone of their relationship such as a tenth anniversary, others choose to present eternity rings with the birth of their first child, buying their first home, or even the renewal of their vows.
However, like the previous two rings, eternity rings are worn on the ring finger.
The Order of the Rings
There is a deliberate symbolic way to wear these rings.
- They all go on the ring finger.
- The wedding band goes first, so that it is “closest to the heart”.
- If you choose to wear your engagement ring after you are married, that ring goes next.
- The eternity ring goes last, as it is the latest ring to be received chronologically.
