Wedding rings…so full of love symbolism! Where did they come from exactly? When did the whole ring-exchange thing start? We at BrideFu are always up for finding out these tidbits of traditions and customs, so we’ve dug up the origin of wedding rings and the exchanging custom. Interesting stuff, check it out:So starting with the rings themselves. Traditionally, the wedding ring is the culmination of bridal gifts exchanged between the bride and groom, although this may not be so as often nowadays. It is more common in today’s society to follow this line of giving:

1. Promise ring during the pre-engagement, serious relationship period
2. Engagement ring to be given as a betrothal present and to ask for hand in marriage
3. Wedding rings exchanged during the wedding ceremony for both bride and groom
4. Eternity ring as a renewal or continuation of the marriage, sometimes given after the birth of a first child
5. Trilogy ring with 3 round cut diamonds representing the past, present and future

According to European tradition, the bride’s name should be engraved on the groom’s ring and vice versa along with the wedding date. This is supposed to strengthen the symbolism and sentimental value of the rings that will eventually become family treasures. If the wedding ring is the same as the engagement ring, the only way to tell them apart is through the engraving.

When it comes to how to wear the wedding ring with the engagement ring, the differences lie in the meaning. During the ceremony, the bride can choose to do one of the following:

• Wear the engagement ring on her left ring finger and have the groom put the wedding ring over it
• Wear the engagement ring on the right ring finger and have wedding ring on the left hand and leave it like this
• Give the engagement ring to the maid/matron of honor for safe keeping until after the ceremony, when she can put it back on either hand

After the wedding, things differ according to culture. For most Western cultures, wedding rings are worn on the left ring finger. This is because of the ancient belief that the left ring finger contains the vein of love, “vena amoris”, and by wearing the wedding ring on this particular finger, it keeps the marriage close to the heart. While that belief may not still hold true, wedding rings are worn to publically declare the commitment and love between a married couple. Other cultures have it differently when it comes to which finger to put the ring on. Take a look:

Now why would there be such a difference? Well, that tradition dates back to Roman times. In Latin, the word for left is “sinistra”, much like the English word “sinister”. Not such a good adjective for marriage. But the Latin word for right is “dexter”, like the English word for “dexterity”. Well, dexterity certainly doesn’t leave as bad of a taste in the mouth as sinister!Other than which hand to put the wedding ring on, there’s also the issue of above-or-below to deal with. If the bride wears the wedding ring below the engagement ring, some think it makes the marriage closer to the heart. Others believe that the wedding ring should be worn above the engagement ring, in essence to “seal” the engagement and turning it into a marriage. Or to make it simple, the bride can just wear the wedding ring alone. Always an option. Of course, if you want to be particularly perfect, you could also opt for a special ring. There are sets of rings sold that are actually 3 rings: groom’s wedding ring, bride’s engagement ring and the bride’s wedding ring. Now, with these sets, the engagement ring and wedding ring can be converted into a single permanent wedding ring, merging the two into one. Well, that’s certainly sentimental and in line with the idea of marriage, right? Sounds like a possibility!

With all this talk of exchanging rings and which finger to wear it on, wouldn’t it be a surprise to find out that this whole exchanging thing was only a recent development? Actually, in generations past, usually only women wore wedding rings. No one’s really sure why but it was just the more common practice. Well, thankfully things have changed and now both man and woman wear their wedding rings, unless of course there is some reason relating to a profession that a wedding ring would be frowned upon, such as actors, police, military pilots and electricians. If that’s the case, the couple can always opt to have neither partner wear a ring. Or the ring can be worn on a chain as a necklace if they want to publically declare their marriage. Or not at all. Really, the bottom line is always this: whatever the lovely couple wants to do, it’s their marriage!

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