Wedding Planning Ideas

As you are deciding on which wedding rings you and your beloved desire to wear as a symbol of your undying love for one another you may be interested in how this practice came about and the true meaning of wedding rings.

The ring of course is a circle and a circle symbolizes infinity, agreement, harmony, rebirth and the universe. In ancient times the rings was connected with the Sun and Moon. It was believed that a ring would protect and was a magical guard, so to speak to ward off all negativity through its continuity. Rings were considered to be magical and/or sacred. Gods and Goddesses even wore rings such as in the Babylonian mythology with tales of the rings of Shamash and Marduk. Rings have always been associated with the magic, the zodiac, and even more. Even today, the wedding ring is believed to hold a kind of power that can be seen when a priest or minister blesses the wedding rings before the couple exchanges them. This practice symbolizes protective powers over their marriage or union.

Now you may be wondering why a wedding ring is worn on the “ring finger”. Well, this also goes back to ancient times and once again magic. As you delve into history of the wedding ring and the reason, it is placed on the third finger you will marvel at some of the beliefs. Here are a few historical facts concerning the “ring finger”. In ancient times, the third finger was used to apply herbal medicines to the body because the effectiveness of the cure would be stronger. It was also believed that a nerve from the third finger went directly to the heart. In astrology, this belief is similar, the “ring finger” is called the heart finger because of the belief of the special nerve or vein that was in the third finger connected to the heart and was a symbol of loved and fidelity. No matter where you search throughout history the third finger has always been used a symbol of love, faithfulness, trustworthiness, and fidelity.

With that said, you know just how important the wedding ring has been throughout history is not just a ring but was used as a promise and union between couples. So, now it is time for you to choose your everlasting wedding rings that will not only symbolize your love and devotion for one another but also withstand time and last forever, as your love for each other.

As you begin looking online and at your favorite jewelers you will find many exquisite wedding rings and some are sure to be out of your price range. The number one thing to do is to set a budget. No matter how much you can afford to spend, you will be able to find the perfect set of wedding rings that will show your love.

Next, you will have to decide what type of material you would like your rings to be created from. Weddings rings are designed from materials such as yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver, platinum, and titanium.

Yellow gold is still one of the most popular materials for engagement rings and wedding bands and can be found in 10K, 14K, or 18K.

White gold is becoming a bit more popular because it tends to look a tad more modern and stylish.

Platinum is one of the hardest metals that is used to create engagement and wedding rings. Many people are now choosing this material because of its durability and the idea that like their marriage it will withstand time. Platinum is a very pure more so than gold, which is normally, only 75 percent gold and platinum rings are usually around 95 percent platinum. These rings do tend to be a bit more expensive but you are more than likely hoping that your ring will last forever, so the price is well worth a ring that is so durable.

Next, of course is titanium. Titanium is kind of the new metal. It is very long lasting, lightweight and not very expensive. These are the most durable wedding rings on the market and are very popular among men because of their elegant style and withstanding power. Yes, you can scratch the ring, but overall they will withstand so much more wear and tear than any other metal.

You may hear that you should choose a wedding ring that will match most of your clothing, but I totally disagree with this statement. A wedding ring is not just costume jewelry that needs to blend in with your outfits. Your wedding ring should be one that you desire to wear every day for the rest of your life. If you looking for a wedding ring to match your clothing then you are really looking for a mere decoration for your finger and not a symbol of everlasting love.

Now you know what material you would love to wear but now comes the hardest part of all. You must now choose the style. First, you must decide if you both wish to wear matching designs or if you prefer your own individual style. The most common styles for wedding rings include the traditional plain bands, bands with beaded edges, bands with etched designs, two-tone bands, Celtic wedding bands, solitaire rings with a precious stone such as a diamond, and solitaries that have one larger stone with smaller stones circling.

Choosing the perfect gemstone for your wedding ring can also be difficult. Diamonds of course are the most popular. However, even with diamonds, you have choices to make; you will need to decide on size and even color. Pink diamonds are now becoming very popular for many women. Remember not to choose soft gemstones such as amethyst or aquamarine as they can be damaged if worn every day. The harder stones are better for durability such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires.

Remember, above all, these are the weddings ring that you both will wear for a very long time. It should stand for you love and devotion and commitment to one another. Choose one that will last.

For 14 years Titanium Rings Studios has been making the finest quality handmade titanium rings and carries a full line of Weddding Rings, Engagement Rings, Celtic Rings, Tension Rings, Friendship rings.

The early Egyptians were convinced of the connection also, even going so far as to claim that the wedding ring finger is directly connected to the vein of love (vena amoris) that flows to the heart.

Ancient Greek and Roman cultures agreed that the vein in the wedding ring finger, also called the healing finger, runs directly to the heart.

In the ancient art of hand reflexology, one of the areas corresponding to the heart is just under the spot where a wedding ring resides on the left, not the right, hand. Pure coincidence?

The wedding ring finger was the last touched by the priest when quoting the “Trinitarian” formula, “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.”

During the period of western Barbarianism, brides were more often than not kidnapped and held captive. It is thought that the wedding ring was used at that time to tie the bride to the home of her husband-to-be, or whoever happened to be guarding her at the moment…like a leash!

The wedding ring of old was a promissory symbol. Since it represented a significant financial cost, it was something of a down payment by the groom, and deterred broken engagements (for which three years of excommunication was the punishment).

It is only recently that the custom of giving two wedding rings–an engagement and a separate wedding ring–has been widely adopted. Previously, the ring given in engagement was also used during the ceremony as the wedding ring itself.

A very practical reason for the placement of the wedding ring is the belief that it would be less likely to be broken, chipped or lost altogether if worn on the left hand.

But did you know that the wedding ring was not always worn on the left hand at all? There was a period when it was the custom to wear them on the right hand, and wealthy Elizabethans used their thumbs to display large, fancy rings!

Superstitions and customs abound around wedding rings. Anyone might feel, for example, that it was a portent of ill omen if the ring were dropped before the wedding, and even worse if it were broken or lost! But it’s also generally considered bad luck to buy your wedding ring on a Friday or to wear the ring before the actual wedding ceremony takes place.

The rings, of course, take on whatever personal meaning you give them. A beautiful concept, embraced by the early Egyptians as well as ancient cultures around the globe, holds the ring to be a symbol of eternity. The ring has no beginning and no end, thus manifesting perfect love for a lifetime…and beyond.

Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides wedding tips on http://www.wedding-123.info

This is the one memorabilia of your wedding that you will have to live with the rest of your life. It is expected to stay on your finger up to the time when your knees will buckle though your waist won’t. When your mind tells your feet to move but your feet won’t.

My wife made sure that I get replacements for every wedding ring that somehow I lost. At a bar, at the motel, while washing my hands in a restaurant, at a high school reunion. Now I am an authority on wedding rings.

Wedding rings are testaments of the enduring passion that we live and die for, that we take joy and suffer for, the testament to what is noble in us. This thing that even the emotional part in us can not take for granted. Love.

Wedding rings have been taken to symbolize our connection with what is sacred and enduring. It also means something rare, beautiful and precious. Traits that married couples work out to give to each other. The circle of the wedding ring itself stands for continuity and perpetuity. Artisans have been inspired by the idea that today even with the changes in technology, even when traditions can be compromised in the name of modernity, the idea of the wedding ring as a vital part of the union remain unchanged. Wedding rings are the highlights to any wedding.

A good wedding ring should be easy and practical to wear, it should be durable enough to stand the abuse it can take over the years and it must look good on the finger.

Diamond rings are the most enduring of all gemstones. It is the most coveted although the least affordable. A diamond ring can last forever, unchanged, if proper care is given to it. It may be the hardest of all substances yet a diamond can scratch another diamond. When not in use, it should be kept in its own box.

Wedding rings however do not have to be costly if the couple can not afford it. The symbolism of the ring remains the same.

Blue stands for spirituality and purity. Famous among the blue gemstone are the sapphire, the blue tourmaline, the blue iolite and the blue spinel. The Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Anne and Lady Diana all received sapphire rings.

Ruby signifies fire. It symbolizes the heart and the passion for life. There are still less expensive red gemstones that represent the same symbolism. The red spinel, the red tourmaline and the red garnet. Princess Sarah Ferguson received a ruby.

Green gemstones signify faithfulness and continuity. Choices here will include the emerald, the green tourmaline and the green garnet.

The pearl itself is associated with love and wedding long before other gemstones have been connected its representations.

The circle can be intertwined in two colors (for example white and yellow gold) to symbolize the union.

In as much as it can be afforded, wedding rings should never be scrimped upon. It is not only an enduring tradition born out of our search for what is eternal in us, it is also what will remain with us after everything else has passed.

We still wear it even if everyone else has already forgotten.

This is also the reason why today, decades after; I am still wearing my last wedding ring – in her memory.

Dean Shainin offers a fabulous website for all wedding essentials at http://weddings.deans-knowledgebase.com Visit and get your free resources, plans and guides for planning that perfect wedding.

Get free online wedding ideas from his: Wedding Rings website.