There’s always plenty of hoopla over the diamond engagement ring, and that’s natural. The engagement ring is the first symbol associated with the upcoming wedding, and the beginning of a new life together as man and wife. It’s romantic, exciting, exhilarating. You don’t get as much fanfare over the wedding rings but considering there’s two of them involved in every marriage, it makes sense that they deserve just as much thought and attention as the diamond engagement ring, right? OK, almost as much attention. So, what do we know about the wedding ring as a symbol of eternal love? Well, let’s consider one version of its origins, back to the Roman Empire when women wore wedding rings as a sign of their husbands’ ownership. Over time, the ring’s meaning softened and became a symbol of commitment and dedication to the spouse, although it mainly represented the legally binding contract between the married partners. During the Victorian era, the wedding band became a universal symbol of love, and it got rid of the emphasis on the binding contract portion of marriage. It was during the Victorian period that the came to be recognized as a symbol of love instead of an indicator that a formal contract had been signed, which must have been a welcome change. And it may have been a sign of the times too, as arranged marriages began to fade and brides and grooms had more freedom to decide for themselves who their life partner would be. The look and feel of wedding rings has certainly changed over time, and each generation has had its own style trends. Gold, silver and platinum remain the precious metals of choice for today, but in recent years new new metals have been introduced, some more resistant to wear and tear than soft gold, some lighter and less bulky for wearers who are active and prefer a light feel. The rule of thumb for brides in the past was usually to get a diamond engagement ring with the wedding ring as a matched set, often with theto complimented hers.  However, fewer couples go the matching ring route these days. For the bride, the wedding ring should still match or compliment the engagement ring to some degree. In large part, it’s a matter of taste and comfort when it comes to selecting the right wedding ring for you. The groom’s wedding band no longer needs to match the wife’s rings, and in fact, some of the available today are too unique to resist – quirky, personal, some art rustic, others traditional. It’s a matter of him knowing what he’ll be comfortable wearing every day, and choosing a ring that reflects his personality. Today, wedding bands can be found in durable metals such as tungsten or titanium; they can incorporate diamonds or other gemstones, they can be simple or intricate. Today’s brides love wedding rings that incorporate sapphires, emeralds, or other precious gems, bands with detailed metal work, vintage look wedding bands, eternity style wedding bands which are also popular anniversary rings as well, bands with mixed metals for an artistic look, and of course, custom designed wedding rings made specifically for the couple. Many couples still choose to have their initials, the wedding date, or an intimate number or name  between the two of them engraved inside the band. Take your time searching for your wedding rings, because you will be wearing them for the rest of your lives, so you want to be sure you've found "the ring."  With so many beautiful styles and designs available, you will have your work cut out for you. Make sure you have the wedding rings at least six weeks before the ceremony to be sure the can be sized engraved, and in the case of custom rings, have the finishing touches completed. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. Enjoy that very special and intimate moment when the two of you exchange the wedding rings you selected together, with love.