Do You Wear Your Engagement Ring on Your Wedding Day?

Your engagement ring is a symbol of love and commitment, but should you wear it on your wedding day? Traditional etiquette is to wear your engagement ring on your opposite hand, so your finger is free to receive your wedding band. However, it’s ultimately up to the bride and couple. Some prefer to wear it on a different finger or hand, while others choose to remove it altogether. Let’s explore some of the meaningful choices you have when it comes to wearing your engagement ring down the aisle.

Should You Wear Your Engagement Ring on Your Wedding Day?

Should you wear your engagement ring down the aisle? Should it stay on your left hand, switch to the right, or perhaps be temporarily set aside? Many brides choose to wear their engagement ring on their wedding day, often on the opposite hand of where their wedding band will be placed during their ceremony. Per tradition, the wedding band is placed on the hand during the exchanging of the rings and worn first, so that the blessed ring can be closest to the bride’s heart, symbolizing the couple’s journey from engagement to marriage.

If you want to go traditional, but your engagement ring doesn’t fit on your opposite hand ring finger, there are still options. You can wear it on another finger, or just leave it on your hand and have your partner put the wedding ring on over it. You can easily slip the engagement ring on top of the wedding band after the ceremony. Another option is for your partner to put both your engagement and wedding rings on your finger at the same time. 

Ultimately, the decision of whether to wear your engagement ring on your wedding day is a personal one. Consider how your engagement ring complements or contrasts with your wedding band, how it’ll look with your wedding dress and overall bridal style, and if you’re planning to take photos with your engagement ring on. The most important thing is to feel beautiful and confident on your special day. Open communication with your partner will help you find a solution that respects both of your individual preferences and traditions. 

What Order Do You Wear Your Wedding Rings? 

According to legend, it was believed the ring finger had a vein that connected directly to the heart, so lovers’ hearts would be connected by their rings. The early Romans called this the Vena Amoris, or vein of love. To solidify a union founded in love, a ring was placed on that specific finger to signify the romance that the newly wedded couple shared, essentially connecting their two hearts. That meant that when a man put a ring on a woman’s left ring finger, he was making a claim to her heart. There is no such vein, of course, but it’s not surprising that a romantic tradition like that has lasted for centuries.

The giving, receiving and wearing of both engagement and wedding rings is steeped in tradition and personal meaning, but is there a right or wrong way to stack? In many Western cultures, the engagement ring is traditionally worn on the left hand, often on the ring finger. After the ceremony, the wedding band is typically placed on the ring finger of the same hand, below the engagement ring. 

However, it might make sense to wear your rings in the order you received them. Wearing your wedding ring on the outside gives your engagement story a sort of figurative bookend, first you’re engaged, now it’s official and anniversary rings may appear later on your stack. Or it could be as simple as the shape, size and style of your rings work better worn one way versus another. Plenty of people wear their engagement ring on the outside, but it’s best to come up with your ideal wedding band and engagement ring order. 

If you’re searching for wedding venues in Hershey PA, Historic Acres offers a beautiful and serene setting any time of the year. Contact our team or give us a call at 717-298-6340 for assistance in planning your event with us and to learn more about our wedding packages.