What's the Right Way to Wear Your Engagement Ring and Wedding Band?

Confession: We pretty much always have jewelry on the brain. But while we're obsessed with analyzing celebrity engagement rings and tracking wedding jewelry trends, there's more to it than ogling over carat sizes and stone shapes. The giving, receiving and wearing of engagement and wedding rings is steeped in tradition and personal meaning.

Now that you've started thinking about your sparkly stack, you might be wondering how to wear your engagement ring and wedding band. Is there a right or wrong way? Does the wedding band go on first, or the engagement ring? Does the wedding band and engagement ring order really matter? Here's the short answer: It's completely up to you, but there are some historical traditions that may inspire your decision. Consider this your guide on how to wear your engagement ring and wedding band, complete with visual examples and expert tips to keep in mind.

In this article:

• Is There a Correct Way to Wear Your Wedding Rings?
• Ways to Wear Your Engagement Ring and Wedding Band
• Which Hand Should You Wear Your Rings On?

Is There a Correct Way to Wear Your Wedding Rings?

When it comes to deciding how to wear wedding rings, the styling choice is yours. Your preferences are your own, after all, so you can (and should) wear your wedding jewelry however you want. That said, wedding and engagement rings are often worn on the fourth finger of the left hand thanks to a tradition that stems from the Roman Empire. "Historically, the tradition of wearing engagement and wedding rings on the left hand dates back to ancient Roman times," says Ann Grimmet, Vice President of Merchandising at Jared Jewelers. "The Romans believed that the 'vena amoris,' or the 'vein of love,' ran directly from the fourth finger on the left hand to the heart. This beautiful symbolism of connection and devotion has carried through centuries, becoming a meaningful tradition in many cultures today."

While that thoughtful anecdote still resonates with many couples, it's certainly not a steadfast rule to follow when figuring out how to wear your engagement ring and wedding band. In fact, Jillian Sassone, jeweler and founder of Marrow Fine, says more people are wearing their wedding rings however they please. "Couples are making their own traditions, and we love to see it," she says. "Some clients move their jewelry from hand to hand, and some even wear them on a chain around their neck if they work with their hands often."

You also don't have to wear your jewels at the same time if you don't want to. You might choose a wedding band knowing that's what you want to wear every day, thus reserving your engagement ring for special occasions. (This may be an appropriate choice if you have a job or hobbies that are tough on your hands.) Conversely, you may want to wear your engagement ring all the time and forgo your wedding band entirely. Plus, with the rising popularity of interchangeable wedding ring stacks, you have free rein to wear whatever bands you want, wherever (and whenever) you want to.

Ways to Wear Your Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

What goes first: the wedding ring or the engagement ring? Even though plenty of people wear their engagement ring on the outside (or the top) of their wedding ring finger, you might like the idea of turning that tradition on its head—not just to be a trailblazer, but because doing so carries its own symbolism for you. It could also be as simple as the fact that the shape, size and style of your rings work better one way versus another.

If you're looking for the "proper" wedding band and engagement ring order, you won't find it here. "Ultimately, it's your hand and your canvas to paint on," says Janie Marshall, Head of Brand for Clean Origin. "Today, couples are really into their own personal expression of their style. We find that people are excited about curating their own band and ring pairing, as opposed to asking us what they should do." To help you get started, here are a few common ways to stack wedding rings.

Wedding band first, engagement ring on top

Design: Natalie Romine

Perhaps the most common way to wear your bling is to put your wedding ring first, followed by your engagement ring. "Traditionally, the wedding band is worn closest to the heart, meaning it's placed on the finger first, followed by the engagement ring," says Grimmet. "However, like so many aspects of weddings today, it's really about personal preference."

Speaking of that, how should you wear your wedding band and engagement ring during your wedding ceremony? If you go this route, remove your engagement ring before walking down the aisle so that you don't have to deal with potentially losing it or awkwardly fumbling with it at the altar. Wear it on your right hand or keep it in a very safe place. Once you've said "I do," slip your sparkler back on for the reception or wait a little bit to admire your new band on its own.

Engagement ring first, wedding band on top

Design: Natalie Romine

One choice is to wear your engagement ring first, with the wedding band on top. Logically, it might make sense to wear your rings in the order you received them. The idea that your engagement represents a promise—and your wedding ring crystallizes that promise—may really speak to you. Wearing your wedding ring on the outside gives your engagement story a sort of figurative bookend: first, you're engaged, now it's official. Later, it'll be time to start stacking with anniversary rings (wink wink).

Which Hand Should You Wear Your Rings On?

Design: Natalie Romine

Should you wear your wedding rings on your left hand or your right? Here are a few options to consider when figuring out how to wear your engagement ring and wedding band.

Wear both rings on your left hand

The most common way to wear wedding jewelry is to stack your wedding ring first, followed by your engagement ring, on the left ring finger. As explained above, this was a belief that can be traced back to ancient Roman times. "Now, we know there is a vein in each finger connected to the heart, but the romantic tradition has endured in Western culture," says Sassone.

This left-handed ring wearing custom is popular in certain regions, such as the United States, France, the UK, Canada, Mexico, South Africa and many Asian countries. But, as Sassone notes, it's common in other countries to wear wedding jewelry on different fingers, or even the right hand.

Wear both rings on your right hand

How to wear your engagement ring and wedding band may be determined by the area you are living in, or the cultural traditions you're accustomed to. While wearing your rings on your left hand is common in many Western countries, you may see many couples wearing their rings on their right hands in Northern and Eastern European countries, such as Russia, Poland and Denmark. It is also common in India, Greece, Spain and Portugal. In some countries, like Brazil, couples will wear their wedding rings on one hand and switch hands after exchanging vows at their wedding.

Engagement ring on one hand, wedding band on the other

If you're wondering how to wear a wedding band that doesn't match your engagement ring, this is one prime option. Some prefer wearing their engagement ring on their left ring finger and their wedding band on their right ring finger. Though not a traditional choice, it's great for those who don't have a cohesive set or don't like the way the rings sit together on one finger. It's also perfect for those who prefer not to stack more than one ring on a finger. Aside from personal preference, you will often see couples wearing their engagement rings on the right hand and their wedding bands on their left in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.

While you can certainly make your decision based on the historical traditions we've outlined here, you should wear your wedding rings whatever way you want. "We're seeing more couples feel empowered to personalize their traditions, including choosing which hand to wear their rings on," Grimmet says. "Whether it's for cultural reasons, comfort, or simply style preference, there's definitely a growing trend of couples making wedding jewelry their own unique statement."