How to buy the perfect wedding band

1. Zero in on the band

The wedding band is the piece you will shop for together and wear it every day. Therefore, it is logical to make preliminary choices such as metal material, whether to match the material of the watch or do you want to include diamonds or gemstone. Make a decision beforehand so you can zero in on exactly what you are looking for before you start shopping.

2. Search early

Once you have a basic idea of what you like, it is time for the wedding band shopping.  Give yourselves at least two to three months before the wedding date as you need this time to browse through, research prices and revisit rings that catch your eye.

3. Matching pair

The key to finding something that you both love is picking wedding bands that reflect your individual styles. But whatever you decide, some aspect of your rings (and it can be as simple as a mutual inscription) should match to make it feel like a true pair.

4. Budgeting

Adding embellishments, like diamonds or engraving, will quickly add to the cost, so factor that into your budget if you plan to personalize your rings with any of these extras.

5. Your lifestyle matters

You are going to wear this band every day, so the goal is to choose something that becomes a part of your life. If you play sports or an instrument, look for a “comfort fit”. If you work with your hands, avoid wearing wedding bands with gemstones that can come loose or carvings, which can trap dirt. A super-active person, you will go for platinum, which is extra durable.

6. Style and comfort

Once you get to the store, try some rings that are not on your inspiration board. You may end up loving something you never thought you would. As you consider different styles, don't forget about comfort too—some rings may look really pretty, but when you put them on, they are just not a good fit.

7. Think long term

While you should not be afraid of being trendy, make sure the style you choose is something you will want to wear for a long time.

8. Maintenance

To keep a wedding band with stones clean and sparkling, you'll need to wash and soak it in warm water, then gently brush it with a soft toothbrush or eyebrow brush (too much pressure can loosen the stones from their setting), rinse it and pat it dry with a soft lint-free cloth.

9. Right size

Most people rarely take off their wedding bands; they wear them all the time.  So you must find the right size that will best weather all the physical and environmental changes.

10. Quality check

This applies to all rings, not just your wedding bands. Make sure the ring has two marks inside the band: the manufacturer's trademark, and the quality mark.