Getting Engaged with a Wedding Band

A petite diamond placeholder on your ring finger is a delicate way to announce you’re taken.

Are you planning on getting engaged with a wedding band instead of a flashy engagement ring? This might just be one of the newest trends. Understated celebrity Amanda Seyfried did it, and more millennials are also opting for a simple – or not so simple – wedding bands to seal the deal.

Engagement Ring vs Wedding Band

Traditionally, the engagement ring comes first and is a ring with a prominent center stone – either in a solitaire, 3-stone or halo setting. (But really, whatever ring style she desires will fit the bill. Hence, this blog!)

In the engagement-to-wedding timeline, the wedding ring comes second. An unbroken circle symbolizing your commitment to each other, this ring is typically worn beneath the engagement ring after the wedding. In other words, its the first one on the ring finger, and the engagement ring sits on top of it.

While some religions specify what the wedding ring should be made of or how it should be designed (Jewish tradition calls from a smooth ring of a single metal symbolizing an untroubled life), many couples select wedding rings with diamond accents or even an infinity ring with prong set diamonds all the way around.

Now that you’ve got all that….forget it. Couples are frequently getting engaged with a single ring which will serve as both the engagement ring and wedding band.

If you fall into the new minimalist camp, here are some of my favorite picks for wedding bands that can be worn instead of engagement rings.

Twisted Sapphire Wedding Band

If you’re looking for true blue symbolism nothing beats sapphires. This petite, stackable ring pairs diamonds and sapphires in a twisted style that can be added to later. Also available in all-diamond options in gold and platinum.

Blue Sapphire and Diamond Wedding Ring from James Allen

Bezel Set Zig Zag Ring

An affordable alternative to Tiffany & Co.’s Etoile Band, this metal band sprinkled with diamonds is a thoroughly modern way to get engaged. Available in platinum and rose and yellow gold options as well as white gold pictured here, this 4mm highly polished band combines the look of a traditional wedding band with subtle diamond sparkle.

4mm Bezel Set Zig Zag Wedding Ring from James Allen

Rose Gold Seven Stone Ring

Love the look of rose gold, but an infinity ring is just beyond your budget’s reach? A 7-stone ring is the next best thing. Why pay for diamonds you can’t see, anyway. This seven stone version gives you just the right amount of sparkle with the vintage feel of rose gold.

Rose Gold Seven Stone Common Prong Ring from James Allen

Pave Infinity Ring

The symbolism of the infinity ring comes full circle with this pave infinity ring by James Allen. The 5mm band feels light with an openwork design and dozens of sparkly diamonds. A great alternative to a single diamond engagement ring – this band will feel meaningful while still being just blingy enough.

Pave Infinity Ring by James Allen

Oval Diamond Infinity Ring

James Allen offers a dizzying array of luxury infinity rings in a variety of fancy shapes including oval, emerald and asscher. These eternity rings can be purchased in a range of total carat sizes up to 4 carats. With a wedding band this opulent you won’t even miss the engagement ring!

Oval Diamond Infinity Ring 3-4 carats

Are you wearing a wedding band as an engagement ring? Tell us about it in the comments!