49 Wedding Ring Tattoos for Only the Coolest of Couples

'Til death (and permanent ink) do us part.

Couple with wedding ring tattoos holding hands

Photo: Logan Cole Photography

Updated Jun 21, 2024

Not all relationships last forever—and that's okay! But when it comes to that lifelong-type of commitment, there are endless possibilities of symbolizing it. Not every couple feels the need to do so with legal documents or traditional gold bands—and that's okay, too! Wedding ring tattoos are a unique option for those couples who find that those more expected symbols of eternal love and commitment may not ring as true to them.

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Wedding ring tattoos have only grown in popularity since they blew onto the scene (hello, Bey and Jay). Fortunately, that means you won't be short on inspiration if you and your partner are considering getting inked up yourselves. Below, find 47 ideas for tattoo wedding rings and couple tattoos, along with some helpful tips to guide you on your journey towards permanent ink with your forever love.

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In this article:

Reasons to Get a Wedding Ring Tattoo
Wedding Ring Tattoo Tips
Choosing Your Wedding Ring Tattoos
Wedding Ring Tattoo Ideas from Real Couples

Reasons to Get a Wedding Ring Tattoo

Thinking about expressing your love and commitment through matching couples tattoos? Well, aren't you cool!? Here are just some of the reasons why some couples choose to celebrate their partnership with ring finger tattoos.

Cost

According to The Knot 2023 Jewelry and Engagement Study, the average cost of an engagement ring is currently around $5,500—although rest assured you can find a ring within any budget. Compare that with wedding ring tattoos, which can cost between $100 to a couple thousand dollars depending on factors that include the complexity of the design, the artist's hourly rate and the shop's minimum.

Permanency

Wedding ring tattoos often represent a couple's forever commitment to their marriage or relationship since they're everlasting and cannot be lost. (No need to remove them for any task, like washing your hands, either!)

Creativity

You and your spouse can borrow from tradition with single band wedding ring tattoos, or you can create your own unique and meaningful design. The sky's the limit!

Wedding Ring Tattoo Tips

Selecting the design you want for your wedding ring tattoo isn't the only task on your to-do list here. Before you get tatted, you'll want to find a reputable, experienced, licensed tattoo artist to ink your wedding ring tattoo and learn how to properly care for it.

Below, find some starter tips for getting your couple tattoos that'll set you up for success.

Find a reputable tattoo artist.

Once you decide to get a wedding ring tattoo, research a tattoo artist with experience and a reputation for safety and sterility. Not every artist is adept at finger-inking, and many don't do them. Not all tattooists are comfortable or capable of doing unique designs versus tattoo book designs they've practiced and done before, so if you're going for an original wedding ring tattoo design, do your homework to find someone comfortable with tattooing new designs and this particular part of the body.

Prepare for a bit of pain.

Tattoo artist Mickey T at Outer Limits Tattoo in Long Beach, California says wedding finger tattoos are a sweet gesture—but the process should be taken seriously. Tattoo artists warn that finger tattoos are particularly painful, as our digits are one of the most sensitive parts of our body. "We tell our clients not to hold their breath so that they don't pass out," Mickey T says.

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Book your appointment early.

Top tattoo artists are often booked weeks or even months in advance. Don't wait until the last minute to get your ink. Start calling around a few months before your wedding to book your appointment.

Make sure to add this step to your wedding checklist if you're tying the knot: For the best results, get inked at least one week before your wedding day, says Mickey T. Your wedding ring tattoos will be red and sensitive for a minimum of a few days.

Follow your aftercare instructions.

Tattoos can quickly become infected if not cared for properly. Following your artist's aftercare instructions to a tee will likely ensure that they heal properly and look their best. Mickey T says to be extremely careful what you touch because tattoos are considered open wounds. Keep them clean and don't over-moisturize. "Tattoos need to breathe and need air to keep them healing consistently," she says.

Understand what they'll look like down the line.

Finger tattoos "blowout" early. Even if you take care of your wedding ring tattoos properly, you may notice the ink bleeding sooner than other larger body tattoos. "Ring tattoos often look crisp in the beginning, but start to spread faster than big body tattoos," warns Mickey T. The cause of early "blowout" (when a tattoo spreads too much and can blend together) is due to all the wear-and-tear our hands and fingers go through in our everyday lives. Take the possibility of a blowout into consideration when choosing your ring tattoo design. Will it still be legible if the ink spreads? Are you comfortable with it fading?

Choosing Your Wedding Ring Tattoos

If you and your partner want unique wedding band tattoos but aren't sure where to start, consider your shared hobbies, jobs, favorite things to do together, favorite places to be, shared passions or even nicknames for one another.

For example: If you love swapping secrets over wine, one band could be a bottle pouring wine, while the other's is a glass. Scientists? The mathematical symbol for eternity. Bird-watchers? A pair of doves. Avid Comic Con fans? Each get your favorite superhero.

If you're looking for something a bit more classic, traditional wedding ring tattoo designs are plentiful and easily recognizable as representing your forever love for each other:
"His" and "Hers," "Mrs." and "Mrs.," etc.
Words of commitment in your favorite fonts: Love. Unity. Forever. For life.
Show you're a permanent pair with "+" or "&" symbols
Each other's initials or names
Four-leaf clovers
Matching Celtic knots or traditional Celtic band pattern designs
Say how you're feeling: Blessed. Loved. Cherished.
Your wedding or anniversary date in Roman numerals
Your love secured: a lock and a key
"Love" in your native language
A Psalm number reflecting your commitment
A diamond design
Nautical rope, a single knot or a bow.

Need some visuals to feel inspired? Browse the wedding ring tattoo photos below or ask your tattoo artist to see their portfolio of ring finger tattoos.

Wedding Ring Tattoo Ideas from Real Couples

Committed to wedding ring tattoos? From classic to creative, get inspired by these 47 images of some of our favorite wedding ring tattoos and couple tattoos that'll say "'til death (and permanent ink) do us part."