Ideal if you’re looking to celebrate your love a little differently…
A time-honoured sign of the commitment couples make to one another, wedding rings – or bands – have been around since forever. The original wedding rings were made of braided reeds and then, in the later Egyptian years and during the Roman Empire, these were upgraded to bands of ivory or bone, with names engraved on the inside. Throughout the years they have evolved to become the simple bands most of us recognise today.
Wedding bands are also highly personal pieces of jewellery which say a lot about the wearer’s ethos, aesthetic and outlook on life. If you like the idea of wearing a wedding band, but aren’t keen on traditional rings, then why not choose something unique? For some inspiration, here are 8 alternatives to traditional wedding rings, IDEAL if you’re looking to celebrate your love a little differently.
Engraved Fingerprint Wedding Rings
We’d all love that unique, one-of-a-kind ring, and the knowledge that no one else in the world has one. It’s not such a far-fetched idea; personalising your wedding rings with each other’s fingerprints and capturing your partner’s one-of-a-kind fingerprint is pretty unique if you ask us.
Fingerprints make a beautiful and completely unique textured pattern on the ring. We’ve seen elegant designs with the fingerprint stamped into an oval (a bit like the shape of a signet ring) and others with the fingerprint all the way around the band, both of which have their virtues. Either way, it’s a deeply sentimental way to show your love – or, at least very useful if you ever want to frame them for a crime.
There’s nothing more unique than engraved fingerprint rings. Since your fingerprint is personal only to you, the act of sharing that level of intimacy with your partner is both a true display of commitment and a really special thing.
Custom-Made
A simple and obvious idea if you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional wedding band – get one custom made. From rings made to reflect your favourite film or TV show to wedding rings that combine your birth stones, custom-made rings have an extra-special touch. A personal, unique and custom-made wedding ring has far more individuality than a standard, store-bought band. Moreover, it can hold more meaning to you personally, and as a couple, and is a great choice for celebrating your own unique love.
Michelle Fantaci, owner of Michelle Fantaci Fine Jewelry tells Brides Magazine “The nature of custom or one-of-a-kind is that the metal, gemstone, and style options could be anything within the realm of possibility’.
‘It’s a beautiful thing to celebrate your personal love story with a ring that is unique and meaningful to you.”
Blue Diamonds
If you’re after something truly extraordinary, consider a blue diamond wedding band. These exceptionally rare gems are amongst the most coveted in the world, lending an air of sophistication and uniqueness to your symbol of eternal love. Unlike their traditional white counterparts, blue diamonds get their mesmerising colour from trace amounts of boron within their crystal structure, making each stone subtly different from the next.
Whilst they might be famously associated with the infamous Hope Diamond, blue diamonds needn’t be quite so dramatic (or cursed!) for your wedding band. Modern jewellers often work with smaller blue diamonds in elegant arrangements, perhaps nestled amongst white diamonds or set solo in a minimalist band. The deeper blue varieties command eye-watering prices, but lighter, more subtle hues – think whispers of sky blue or gentle aqua tones – can be more accessible whilst still maintaining that air of exclusivity.
What’s particularly lovely about blue diamonds is how they break with tradition whilst still honouring the timeless appeal of diamonds as symbols of enduring love. They’re also remarkably durable, scoring the same perfect 10 on the Mohs scale as their colourless cousins – meaning your ring will be as resilient as your relationship.
Whether you opt for a single statement stone or a delicate pavé of tiny blue brilliants, these gems offer a sophisticated twist on the classic diamond wedding band. Plus, there’s something rather poetic about choosing a blue diamond – after all, you’ve already found something rare and precious in your partner, so why not have a ring to match?
Soundwave Rings
Customisation has been a buzzword in jewellery for the past few years and apart from fingerprint rings, we don’t think you can get much more customised than engraving your partner’s voice on your wedding ring.
Their voice? Come again? It’s true; sound waves, similar to fingerprints, are completely unique to an individual. You can record your wedding vows or pet names for each other, or perhaps the song that you had your first dance to, then have the soundwaves visualised before jewellery engraving takes place on a ring of your choice, making a beautiful, totally unique pattern.
Tattoos
If you’re looking to throw tradition out of the window entirely, then consider a finger-ring tattoo. Hipper, more fashionable and a real ‘till death do us part’ commitment, this one’s for life, that’s for sure.
Finding the design you want is the hard part. For inspiration, look to Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who got matching tattoos of the Roman numeral four on their ring fingers, representing their lucky number and also their birthday dates. Or, consider a pattern with each other’s initials intertwined in it, a design with a single knot to show that you’ve tied the knot.
Whether you think a tattoo is the ultimate sign of commitment or simply well suited to those prone to losing things, this one could be for you!
Read: The biggest trends in wedding invitations and stationery
Consider A Symbolic Ring
Wedding rings themselves are a symbol of love and commitment, and the complete circle of the band symbolises no beginning and no end – an everlasting love, indeed. Many people also opt for a trilogy engagement ring which symbolises the relationship’s past, present and future for this reason.
Why not go a step further with the symbolism? We love the thought of a wave ring that symbolises the ups and downs of life, acting as a reminder that your marriage will likely face trials and tribulations – in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, after all.
We’re also fans of braider rings – the intertwining strands represent your two lives interwoven, symbolising infinite strength and unity. We could all do with a bit of that, right now?
Consider Claddagh wedding rings, too, which the Irish exchange as a sign of devotion. If you wear it with the heart pointing towards you, it means you belong to somebody, with the hands representing friendship, the crown representing loyalty, and the heart… well, you know what that represents, right?.
Or, perhaps a Japanese knot ring which offers an interpretation of the Japanese enmusubi – a knot tie which signifies the destiny of union.
The beauty about choosing a ring with symbolism in mind is that anything can have great meaning to you, as a couple. The world is your oyster! Now, there’s an idea for a ring…
Stacking Rings
Here at IDEAL, we love stack wedding rings. Trendy and fun, they offer a great alternative to a traditional wedding band, and that’s why you’re here, right?
While fashion has only recently favoured this trend, in Scandinavia it’s somewhat traditional for women to wear three rings; one for engagement, one for marriage and one for motherhood.
Stacking rings can symbolise other things, too. Many brides like the idea of wearing two wedding rings around their engagement ring for symmetry. To others, the symbolism of the engagement ring being ‘sealed in’ with two bands is appealing…However, sometimes it’s simply a question of wanting more sparkle.
Indeed, if you want an excuse to wear more rings, consider one for other big occasions like anniversaries or the birth of a baby. The beauty about stacking rings is that each ring can be in a different metal, engraved with a different message, or embellished with a different gemstone – the end result will always be completely unique and sentimental to you.
Gemstone Bands
Gemstone bands offer a vibrant alternative to traditional wedding rings, allowing couples to infuse personal significance and color into their symbol of commitment. Each gemstone carries its own story and meaning, such as sapphires for wisdom, rubies for passion, or emeralds for growth, enabling partners to choose a stone that resonates with their relationship’s unique narrative. These bands can be customised in various cuts and paired with different metals, creating a design that reflects individual style and holds the potential to become a treasured family heirloom.
Opting for a gemstone band also presents an opportunity for ethical and sustainable choices, such as selecting stones that are responsibly mined or lab-created. When choosing a gemstone wedding band, it’s important to consider the stone’s durability and the care it will require, ensuring that this emblem of love is not only beautiful and meaningful but also practical for everyday wear. With a gemstone band, couples can celebrate their union with a ring that’s as distinctive and enduring as their love.
The Bottom Line
For something so small, so light, and so easily lost, wedding rings carry so much weight. Whilst tiny in stature, this ever-elegant piece of jewellery has one hell of a message to convey; of love, of memories, and of future promises. We hope you find a ring to reflect your very unique love.
And if you’re looking for other ways to go against the grain, check out our article on 5 alternative wedding dress ideas, IDEAL for non-traditional brides who love to break with conformity.