Exchanging wedding rings on your big day is a meaningful ritual, marking the beginning of a romantic and sacred journey together. More than just a piece of jewelry, a wedding ring symbolizes the belief in everlasting love, enduring all challenges. However, not everyone knows the proper way to wear a wedding ring to fully embrace the beautiful meaning it carries.
In this article, we will share the traditional and culturally-influenced guidelines on how to properly wear your wedding ring, helping you maintain a strong and fulfilling relationship.
1 The Best Way to Wear Your Wedding Ring
The placement of the wedding ring can vary depending on cultural and religious beliefs around the world. In some exceptional cases, personal preferences or religious reasons may lead to wearing the ring on a different finger.
Wedding Ring Placement Around the World
United States: A unique feature of American wedding traditions is that the groom wears the wedding ring on the left ring finger, while the bride wears hers on the right ring finger.
Germany and the Netherlands: In contrast to the US, couples in Germany and the Netherlands harmoniously wear their wedding rings on the right ring finger, symbolizing unity and enduring love.
Greece: In Greece, couples may choose to wear their wedding rings on either the left or right ring finger, depending on their personal preference.
China: Similar to Greece, Chinese couples also have the option to wear their wedding rings on either the left or right ring finger.
Europe: In many European countries, such as England, France, and Italy, wedding rings are typically worn on the left ring finger. This is based on the Western belief that the left ring finger has a special vein that runs directly to the heart, symbolizing everlasting love and deep emotional connection.
Wedding Ring Placement Around the World
Wedding Ring Placement in Vietnam
Vietnamese wedding traditions are deeply rooted in East Asian culture, emphasizing the concept of unity and fidelity in marital love. Following the traditional belief of “left for men, right for women”, the groom wears the wedding ring on his left ring finger, while the bride wears hers on the right ring finger. This is based on the belief that there is a love vein connecting the ring finger to the heart, symbolizing the deep connection between two hearts.
However, this tradition is no longer strictly followed in modern times. Most Vietnamese couples now opt to wear their wedding rings on the left ring finger, similar to Western customs. This change is simply a matter of convenience and alignment with modern lifestyles.
Wedding Ring Placement in Vietnam
2 Wearing Your Wedding Ring and Engagement Ring Together
There are two main approaches to wearing your wedding ring and engagement ring simultaneously:
On the Wedding Day
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Before the ring exchange: The bride should move her engagement ring to her right hand, preferably to the middle or ring finger.
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During the ring exchange: The groom will place the wedding ring on the bride’s left ring finger. Afterward, the bride can move her engagement ring back to her left hand, either next to the wedding ring or on the middle finger.
Wearing Both Rings on the Wedding Day
After the Wedding
There are several ways to wear your wedding ring and engagement ring together after the big day, depending on your personal style and preference:
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Wear both rings on the left ring finger: This is the most common approach, symbolizing the unity of the two love tokens. However, ensure that the two rings complement each other in style and size.
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Wear the engagement ring on the middle finger of the left hand and the wedding ring on the left ring finger: This method accentuates both hands and showcases the beauty of each ring.
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Wear the engagement ring on the right hand: This is a traditional approach in some countries, honoring the initial proposal and commitment.
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Wear the engagement ring on any finger you prefer: There are no strict rules regarding which finger to wear your engagement ring on. Feel free to choose whichever finger makes you feel comfortable and showcases the ring’s beauty.
Wearing Both Rings After the Wedding
The above guidelines on wedding ring placement are based on cultural and traditional beliefs. We wish you and your partner a fulfilling and enduring marriage!
