Wedding rings are a perennial symbol of the eternal bonds of marriage and love. One of the best ideas to personalize your wedding band is engraving it. Engravings can make your ring feel more like a personal gift rather than just a nice piece of jewelry on your finger. With that in mind, the team at City Hall Wedding is here with these six ideas for what to engrave on a wedding band.
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History of Engraving Wedding Bands
Rings as a symbol of love and eternal devotion date all the way back to ancient Egypt, and wedding band engravings have been a popular concept since the Renaissance. Couples can engrave a single word or an entire phrase on the inside or outside of the ring. Delicate and intricate engravings take a high degree of skill that reflects the enormity of love two spouses share. Wedding ring engraving remains popular in the modern day as a means for couples to personalize their dedication to one another.
6 Wedding Ring Engraving Ideas
1. Spouse’s Name
This one is simple and sweet. Engraving your loved one’s name on your wedding band is a straightforward way to express your devotion. After all, you just promised to spend the rest of your life with that person, so why not have their name on your band at all times? Even better, you can get the engraving in your significant other’s handwriting. It’s a bit basic, but spouses engraving their names on each other’s bands is a simple and sweet way to say you will be with them forever.
2. Favorite Song Lyrics
Another idea is engraving your spouse’s favorite song lyrics on the band. Maybe they are lyrics from your first dance or are the lyrics to the song playing when you realized you wanted to spend the rest of your life with them. Song lyrics show you understand your partner and care about your special shared moments. As an added bonus, both of you can split lyrics between the rings so they make a musical whole!
3. Favorite Movie or TV Quote
Lots of couples are passionate about movies or TV shows, so why not include a quote from your favorite program on your rings? There are countless quotes you could pull from to create a personalized ring that reflects your shared interest. Quotes can be longer or short and sweet. Below are some of our favorite (albeit cheesy) lines about love from movies and TV shows.
- “You had me at hello” – Jerry Maguire
- “If you were a melody, I’d only use the good notes” – The Holiday
- “It’s you and me. It’s always been you and me.” – New Girl
- “You make me want to be a better man.” – As Good As It Gets
- “What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.” – It’s A Wonderful Life
- “When I’m with you, I feel so safe. Like I’m home.” – Garden State
- “No matter what happens now or for the rest of my life, I’m happy now because I love you.” – Groundhog Day
- “You are my person.” – Gray’s Anatomy
4. Scripture Verses
If you and your spouse are religious, you can engrave your favorite scriptures or verses on each other’s rings. Religious scriptures such as the Bible or the Quran are full of amazing quotes about the eternal and transcendent nature of love, and wearing these verses on your ring can remind you of your faith and reaffirm your and your spouse’s faith.
5. Symbols or Images
You don’t only have to engrave words on your wedding band; you can also engrave symbols or images if you want. Pictures can speak louder than words, and an image engraving is the perfect way to keep those memories on you at all times. For example, you can engrave a small infinity symbol or something more personal like your dog’s paw prints. Modern laser engraving lets you pick some fairly detailed and complex images, so go crazy with it!
6. Wedding Coordinates
For many people, the location of their wedding has a lot of significance. If you and your partner have planned a big destination wedding, why not engrave the coordinates of the location on your wedding bands? The beautiful thing is that most won’t immediately get it when they see the numbers on your wedding band, but it shares special significance for you and your spouse.
Things to Consider When Engraving a Wedding Band
Whether you are getting married in New York or San Francisco, make sure you consider the following things if you want to engrave rings.
Budget
Wedding rings can already be expensive, and an engraving will add to the price tag. Some jewelers might provide free engraving services, but you will usually have to pay extra for more complex designs, so account for engravings cost in your wedding budget.
Time
Engraving your ring will also take additional time, so make sure you schedule things so they are ready when you need them. Engraving timelines will depend on the complexity of the engraving, so if you wait too long, you may not have enough time to get it done before the wedding.
Style
Make sure the engraving complements the style of your ring. Exceptionally decorative rings may not need an engraving, but it can provide a lot of flair and personalization for more simply designed wedding bands.
Get Tips on Planning Your Special Day!
Whether you’re getting married for the first time or looking to renew your vows, these ideas of what to engrave on a wedding band will serve you well. If you would like more tips on wedding planning, saving money for your wedding, or picking a theme for your big day, sign up for our newsletter or contact City Hall Wedding online today!