Nowadays, it has become popular again to hold an engagement party before the wedding, where the groom gives the bride a ring.
And before marriage, the girl wears the given ring, so you need to know which finger to wear it on correctly, and what to do after the wedding. The groom gives this ring to the bride when he proposes to her; this is a romantic time when the newlyweds express their desire to tie the knot. The question arises, which finger to put the engagement ring on?
Is it necessary to give a ring when proposing?
To most parents of modern brides and grooms, this method of marriage proposal seems to be an innovation borrowed from the Americans: previously, this seemed either an expense of pre-revolutionary philistinism, or “bourgeois” delights.
Nowadays respectability is in fashion, and a magnificent entry into a happy union is rather welcomed. All cases are individual, and, perhaps, such a ceremony will seem outdated to modern girls - some young ladies value independence so much that they consider marriage as a union of two equal and independent people. Then it will be appropriate to do without a ring.
However , it is assumed that the treasured gift is given in an unusual place and unexpectedly . The romance of an act can change even an inveterate emancipation.
Reference! Previously, the meaning of an engagement ring was broader than that of a gift, albeit an expensive one: it looked like a kind of financial obligation to the chosen one’s family. From now on it was recognized that soon the girl would be supported not by her parents, but by her husband. In turn, the betrothed, wearing a ring on her finger, thereby made it clear: now she is not a girl of marriageable age, but a bride, and it is indecent for her to propose marriage anymore.
Where is an engagement ring worn?
Which finger for an engagement, which for a wedding.
The tradition of giving an engagement ring came to us from Hollywood films. Since childhood, girls have seen themselves in love with the main character, to whom the main character, deeply in love with her, proposed to her by putting the treasured ring on her finger. The young men from the same films learned the script of what was happening. At the right moment, you need to take out a velvet box with a ring from your pocket and, getting down on one knee, propose marriage.
Further events in different films occur differently and thus create confusion. Sometimes the girl puts the ring on her finger herself, and in other cases her groom does it. In addition, the decoration is worn on different fingers of the left or right hand. We will look at all the nuances of this important engagement moment.
Where to put the ring when proposing?
When the bride allowed the ring to be put on her finger or put it on herself, she agreed to get married. At an engagement party, the ring is placed on the finger on which the wedding symbol will subsequently be placed. In Russia, the ring is placed on the ring finger of the right hand.
The tradition of putting wedding symbols on the ring finger originated in Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece. People believed that the vein of love runs through this finger and, when creating a family, it needs to be ringed. In Orthodoxy, it is believed that at baptism a Guardian Angel appears in a person, always located behind his right shoulder. He protects the person first from everything bad, and after the wedding ceremony the family he created.
Catholics wear the symbol of marriage on the left hand, located closer to the heart. This is exactly what the heroes of most Hollywood melodramas do. The bride wears the ring given at the engagement before the wedding. Thus, she demonstrates to representatives of the opposite sex that she is no longer free and is not looking for a life partner.
Some young people break the established engagement traditions and propose marriage, supported by a ring, in unusual places. For example, they set a table for two on the roof of a house or climb with their beloved to the top of the mountain. They then inform their parents of their intention to get married.
On which hand should I wear it after the wedding?
In many European countries, there is a tradition according to which an engagement ring is worn only before the wedding, and then hidden in a box and never worn again, so as not to become a widow. The decoration is inherited by a son or grandson. He will give the family heirloom to his beloved for her engagement. There is no general rule about combining an engagement ring with a wedding symbol.
Brides who do not believe in the omen of widowhood and are planning to wear an engagement ring can choose one of the existing options:
- On your wedding day, change the ring to the ring finger of your other hand.
- If the size of the product allows, then put it on the middle finger of the right hand.
- Before the wedding ceremony, remove the ring and then put it on after the symbol of marriage. This way the wedding ring will be closer to your heart.
- Do not remove the ring, but put on the wedding ring after it, observing the chronology of receiving the jewelry.
There are a lot of options for wearing rings and every girl will find the optimal combination of complex jewelry for herself. The first option is the most popular. With it, both veins of love are ringed. Some representatives of the fair sex do not wear an engagement ring all the time during marriage, but wear it on special occasions.
Which ring is better?
A special occasion requires a special product - with its help, a man speaks of his one and only love. And this is not necessarily a massive ring with a huge diamond, although such a stereotype exists. The decoration does not have to shine with stones, and not even be made of gold or platinum, although most often feelings are demonstrated with the help of precious metals . There are budget options, backed by tradition. So, they gave a ring from:
- silver - as a talisman against dark forces;
- copper, symbolizing fertility;
- brass is another protector from the evil eye.
There is also no strict regulation regarding precious inserts . But if a girl loves emeralds, topazes or rubies, then an engagement ring with her favorite stone will delight her. Options with semi-precious stones are possible: cubic zirconia in the sun will shine no worse than a diamond!
The best ring is one that the bride will proudly wear until the wedding, emphasizing her happy “unfreedom . Of course, for this she must like it. And, of course, fit into her style: for a fan of the classics, choose a discreet option with a small pebble or a scattering of stones; Art Nouveau style will require a special ring. There are also connoisseurs of red “Soviet” gold. If she has a lot of designer items, then you should look for a ring of the same brand.
What kind of ring do you give when you propose?
Different countries have their own traditions regarding the type and cost of an engagement ring.
In eastern countries, a man must give a piece of gold, but in Europe, jewelry that is too cheap will offend a woman or her family. In the CIS countries, jewelry with a diamond or diamond is considered a traditional symbol of love.
Jewelry stores offer a lot of offers - vintage, avant-garde, as well as non-traditional models.
The trend in recent years is accessories with ethnic ornaments or patterns.
The classic design with small diamond inlays also looks beautiful. The approach to choosing a product also depends on the preferences of the chosen one. Nowadays girls prefer laconic models made of precious metals.
Employees of jewelry departments claim that you can choose jewelry based on the character and hobbies of the bride. Creative girls often choose vintage models.
And romantic people will most likely be delighted with unusual products in the shape of a flower or a heart.
It is better to present the ring in a special gift box.
How much should the ring cost?
Exactly as much as will not ruin the future spouse, even if he strives to emphasize his wealth . As a rule, brides are aware of the financial affairs of their grooms, and a fairly modest ring, presented with touching attention, will be no less happy than an expensive solitaire. A gift that is too expensive can be intimidating, especially if the groom clearly has more money than the bride or her family.
However, if you have the means and desire, you can not be ashamed of your generosity, if it does not carry a possessive overtone.
Types of engagement rings
Among the variety of engagement products there are rings:
- with one precious stone - as a rule, it is placed in the center, taking all the attention;
- modern - made according to fashionable canons;
- ethnic (Celtic, Indian, Jewish) - suitable if the bride adheres to the framework of any national culture;
- Art Deco - good for refined natures and art connoisseurs;
- vintage - can be antique or replicas made by modern craftsmen;
- exclusive - made to order for those who like a one-of-a-kind item in everything.
Advice! If you have no doubt that the proposal will be happily accepted, you can safely buy a wedding set: it contains two women’s rings (engagement and wedding rings) and a men’s wedding ring. And the uniform style will be maintained, and you will be able to save money!
How to choose a ring for a marriage proposal?
An easy way to make the right choice is to ask a girl’s friends for advice or consult a jeweler.
Store employees will help you determine the appropriate decoration option based on budget, wedding trends, brand and material.
Individual ring making by a master is very popular
Jewelry stores have special sets of engagement and wedding rings. In this case, the jewelry will be selected according to style and combined with each other.
Having a ring made individually by a master is very popular. The service costs a lot of money, since, unlike a ring from a well-known brand, a unique design is valued much more.
It is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of the material. Often jewelry is made of gold. Preference is given to compositions with silver and copper, which ensure the durability of the product and also give a yellow or pink tint.
Gold must be 750 or 585. No less popular are rings made of white gold, which is obtained by adding nickel and palladium. The most expensive material for jewelry is platinum.
When selecting precious stones, attention is paid to the number of carats and purity of the material. If there are natural defects, the stone is not considered pure and its value decreases. The cost also depends on the quality of the cut of the jewel.
You don't have to be a jewelry expert to choose the right gift for your beloved woman.
Thanks to the availability of information, every man can become familiar with the characteristics of jewelry, the rules for evaluating precious stones or cutting.
Which finger to decorate and how to determine its size?
Like a wedding ring, an engagement ring is put on the right hand, on the ring finger - then it is worn either on the other hand, or together with the engagement ring . Sometimes - on the index finger of the right hand: its size often coincides with the ring finger.
How to get the size? You can enlist the support of your parents and either ask them or, with their help, take possession of any ring from her jewelry box by going to a jewelry store. Or, use a thread (paper tape, ribbon) to measure the inner circumference of the ring that was exactly on the desired finger.
Actions with a ring
After a man proposes to a girl, the wedding in the West has to wait an average of 2 years. During this time, the couple gets used to the idea of marriage, marriage, and prepares for the celebration. In addition, over such a long period, lovers will have to face many trials, and often the engagement will be broken off. There are several options for what to do with the ring at the time of marriage or breakup.
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During the wedding
Since there are no clear rules regarding wearing symbolic jewelry, everyone can do as they see fit. The latest tribute to fashion is to put two rings on the finger of the right hand at once. You can also do the following:
- remove on the eve of the wedding, put in a box for storage;
- do nothing if it is on the left hand;
- Take it off your right hand and put it on your left.
The second proposed option is classic.
After the wedding
It all depends on where the decoration was before the wedding. After the wedding, the wedding ring must be worn on the ring finger of the right hand; the engagement ring is placed at your discretion. If a girl has a lot of jewelry, there is nothing wrong if she periodically takes off her ring.
When parting
Since this is not just decoration, but the result of a certain ritual, after parting the question arises of what is the best thing to do. There are several options:
- The guy breaks off the relationship on his own initiative. The girl has the right to keep the ring if she sees fit. Quite often a woman is angry with her ex, so the ring evokes negative associations. In this case, you can return the jewelry back or even throw it away.
- The girl breaks off the relationship. Must return the engagement ring. If the guy doesn’t want to take it, he’s allowed to keep it for himself. To wear it or not is everyone’s desire.
- Relationships are terminated by mutual consent. They decide together what to do with the decoration.
Ideally, the girl should return the ring and the guy should take it. In the future, it can be sold, re-gifted, melted down, or thrown away. In a word, do whatever the man deems necessary. A gift always energetically connects a person with the one who gave it. After a breakup, a girl is unlikely to want to constantly remember her ex-lover.
In most cases, everything that reminds of him is removed out of sight. The exception is when a couple separates by mutual consent and remains friends.
What mistakes can you make when choosing?
The most annoying thing is to miss the size. There are other mistakes when the ring:
- inappropriate for age;
- stands out from the general style;
- does not harmonize with other decorations;
- too expensive (cheap).
People get married both very early and in adulthood. Miniature rings with small stones will decorate the hand of a young girl. It is appropriate for a respectable lady to present a massive product with a large insert .
A massive vintage ala ring is unlikely to suit a fan of a sporty style, just like an ethnic ring would suit a super-glamorous lady. If all her jewelry is white gold, there should be no exception for the engagement ring.
Important! They do not wear items of different gold on their hands. Only a combination of yellow and pink is allowed if the difference is not obvious.
Finally, things can be upset by both excessive luxury and excessive modesty. However, this is for the better: the breakdown of a relationship due to an unsuitable ring is probably a clear reason for ending it .
Unique tradition
Before analyzing in detail the question of which finger the engagement ring is worn on, it should be emphasized that in Slavic and American (European) culture the above ritual is called differently.
What is considered to be an engagement in the United States was called matchmaking in Rus', which was a whole ceremony, planned “according to notes.”
Nowadays, when it comes to engagement, what is meant is the “Western” (European) variation of the tradition in question. At the same time, it cannot be said that the modern ceremony is devoid of romanticism and a beautiful script. On the contrary, it is a wonderful sight.
And, naturally, every young lady who is ready to try on a wedding dress, at the same time with trepidation and impatience, awaits the main gift from her gentleman - an engagement ring.
Signs associated with giving a ring
Since ancient times, the ring has been perceived as a talisman that gives confidence that the wedding will take place. The creation of a strong and happy family is ensured by following a number of signs. Thus, a ring worn by a bride as a sign of engagement must be purchased without the participation of its future owner . Otherwise, quarrels cannot be avoided!
You should be careful about things with history - they guarantee a couple a happy life if its previous owners lived in happiness and harmony. A grandmother's or great-grandmother's inheritance may be suitable, but a product purchased from an antique dealer is doubtful.
Having received the treasured ring, the bride must wear it without taking it off until the wedding, and then either in a jewelry box or in a pair with her engagement ring. You cannot lose him - the couple is in danger of a breakdown in their relationship .
European traditions
If in Russia the generally accepted norm is that after the official wedding ceremony a wife can wear two jewelry on her hand at once (engagement and wedding), then in Western European countries the jewelry presented by the groom before the wedding must be removed once and for all after the guy and the girl will legalize their relationship.
At the same time, the tradition of passing jewelry from generation to generation abroad is also sacredly revered. And the engagement ceremony itself originated in European countries. As already emphasized, in our country it also existed, only it was called differently - matchmaking.
A very interesting fact is that in Germany, for example, future wives put the engagement ring on their left hand - and only after receiving a marriage certificate does it “migrate” to the right. Polish young ladies, on the contrary, wear it exclusively on the right.
