Traditional Bride & Groom Wedding Bands

TRADITIONAL WEDDING BAND STYLES

While some brides and grooms seek for new and trendy wedding bands, many modern marrying couples are still opting for the traditional wedding ring styles. The traditional wedding ring is a precious metal ring, an unbroken circle representing eternal love. It is common for the bride and groom to choose matching wedding bands, although the brides ring is often narrower while the grooms is usually wider in width.

The most traditional look is a rounded, brightly polished yellow gold band. But even while remaining true to the traditional styles, there are many options to consider when choosing a traditional wedding band.

Wedding Band Metals

When choosing a metal for a wedding band, the primary metals are gold or platinum. Common gold options include yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold, in either 14k (58.5% gold purity) or 18k (75% gold purity). Platinum is 90 - 95% pure, with a silvery, white color. The metals can be polished for a shiny finish or brushed for a matte finish. Though not quite as traditional, the metals can also be textured or decorated, or mixed for a two tone look.

Wedding Band Styles

Traditional wedding bands are available in many different styles, including the half-round wedding band, the comfort fit wedding band, the flat edge wedding band, the knife edge wedding band, and the milgrain edge wedding band.

Half-Round Wedding Band

The most traditional look is the plain half-round (low dome) wedding band. This is a simple and classic design, with a domed or raised center on the outside of the band. The cross section is flat on the inside and rounded on the top. This classic style is available in many widths and in all metal options. If a little decoration is wanted, they can also be finished with a milgrain (beaded) edge.

Comfort Fit Wedding Band

A newer version of the half-round is the comfort fit wedding band. The comfort fit is slightly rounded on the inside of the band to make it more comfortable to wear. Because extra metal is used on the inside of the band, they will cost more than a non comfort fit band. The cross section is an oval with very smooth rounded edges. The comfort fit is generally more comfortable to wear and is usually easier to squeeze over a knuckle when putting on or taking off the ring.

Flat Edge Wedding Band

The flat edge wedding band has straighter edges and a more rectangular cross section than the domed bands. The flat bands are a great alternative for a linear and bold look. Many decorated bands are a flat band.

Knife Edge Wedding Band

The knife edge wedding band is a more modern and bolder version of wedding ring. The knife edge band is designed to form a slight point in the middle of the ring, giving it a slightly angled look.

Milgrain Edge Wedding Band

The milgrain edge wedding band is a variation of the plain band. Milgrain (beading) borders the very edge of the wedding band and circles the entire ring, adding a little decoration to the traditional plain gold band.

Matte or Brushed Finish

While wedding bands are generally seen with a polished and shiny finish, wedding bands can also have a matte or brushed finish for an attractive alternative. A brushed finish wedding band is often seen with a matte center finish that is accented with polished edges.

Two Toned Wedding Band

A two toned wedding band design features a stylish combination of metals for a look that is a little fancier than a traditional plain band. The metal pattern can vary, sometimes showcasing a white or yellow metal center with contrasting color metal edges or perhaps a double pattern of two alternating colors. The metals can be a combination of yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum.

Etching and Engraving

For those wanting a more decorated version of the traditional wedding band, wedding bands can also be textured, engraved, or decorated with a pattern. It is also a romantic sentiment to have a personalized message engraved on the inside of the wedding bands. No matter what features you may choose, the traditional precious metal wedding band has proven to be an enduring and classic look, even for modern couples.