What to Do With Your Engagement Ring During the Wedding

Brides-to-be proudly flaunt their engagement rings on the fourth finger of their left hand. After getting married, both the engagement ring and wedding band reside on this finger. Since your spouse will be sliding a brand-new band on your finger during the ceremony, what should you do with your engagement ring on the big day? Most brides don't consider this question until getting ready for their big day, and it can cause some last-minute panic. Although there's no right answer, there are four common options brides choose between. Here, learn about each option.

Move the Ring

Traditionally, the wedding band goes first on the finger so it's closest to the heart. To ensure the proper position, some brides temporarily move their engagement ring to their right hand. Then, after the nuptials, they return the ring to their left hand over the wedding band. A word of caution: If you decide to wear the engagement ring on your right hand, make sure it fits comfortably—a lost or stuck piece of jewelry can sour any wedding day!

Leave the Ring

A bride can also leave her engagement ring on the left hand, with the new wedding band placed on top during the exchanging of rings. A quick post-ceremony readjustment can return the rings to their correct position. As a downside, this option goes against wedding tradition. Additionally, your wedding band will never have its moment in the spotlight, since it will probably be overshadowed by your sparkly diamond in photographs.

Don't Wear It

If you don't want to worry about your engagement ring during the ceremony, recruit a trusted bridesmaid or family member to hold onto it during your ceremony. Some brides may prefer to stow it somewhere safe, like a locked box, instead. Forgoing a ring is also smart if you're wearing gloves because the pointy diamond can snag or rip the fabric. Wearing the ring over the gloves isn't a good idea either, since the added bulk can make the ring get stuck.

Use Both Rings

You can make both your engagement ring and your wedding band part of the ceremony. During the ring exchange, have the wedding band placed on your finger first, followed by your engagement ring. For some couples, this is a meaningful way of honoring the significance of the journey from engagement to marriage.