How to Choose the Right Wedding Band for the Groom

So much attention is paid to choosing the bride-to-be's engagement ring and wedding band. And there's a good reason why: Nine times out of ten it is way more wow-worthy than anything the groom-to-be owns (or will own!). But that's not to say that the groom's wedding band doesn't deserve the same amount of care and attention, especially when it comes to choosing it in the first place. "Choosing a wedding band is an important decision for a man as it is a style statement that they will wear for life," explains Slisha Kankariya, founder of Four Mine, an online jewelry retailer specializing in engagement rings. "Therefore, it is important to consider all factors like fit, look, comfort, material, and cost." But where to begin? Here is your go-to guideline for how to choose the right wedding band for you and what to look for (and watch out for) along the way.

Step 1: Determine your budget.

According to Veronica Staudt, personal stylist specializing in jewelry and accessories and owner of Vintage Meet Modern, the average gold ring costs around $500, platinum will set you back about $1,200, and a diamond encrusted option goes for $1,800 and up. "It is important to budget for the groom to have a nice ring of his choice," she says. "Doing a little homework in advance and narrowing metal choices will help you come up with an appropriate budget so the groom can have the ring he wants."

Step 2: Choose your material.

This should be the first thing you consider when you start thinking about the kind of wedding band you want. There are dozens of material available these days, from platinum, yellow gold, and rose gold to tungsten, titanium, and even silicone. "Do you want something sturdy like platinum or titanium or do you prefer the classic look of yellow gold?" asks Kankariya. She recommends trying a few metals on your hand to understand how they will look and which you prefer. "While yellow gold was the classic choice for men, white gold and platinum have become more popular nowadays," she adds.

Step 3: Select your metal finish.

While selecting the metal is important, Kankariya also urges grooms to consider the finish of the metal, which is essentially the look and texture of the metal. "Brush, satin, beveled, and matte are just some of the finish options that you can choose from," she says. "Choose something that you you truly like and don't get swayed by trends—remember you will have to wear the ring for life!"

Step 4: Decide on your design.

Wedding bands come in a variety of materials and designs, but one of the major design details Kankariya says you'll need to consider is whether the band is plain metal or has gemstone or diamond accents. "Diamond accents are typically small, brilliant cut and round diamonds, but can be larger as well," she says. "Gemstone accents can be made of a variety of colors and types of precious or semi precious gems." They can also be birthstones. She recommends that grooms consider how subtle or flashy they want their look to be. "Plain metal is more subtle and less expensive as well," she adds. "Most jewelers have a variety of designs in both variations to choose from."

Step 5: Choose your thickness.

How thick do you want your ring to be? "The thickness and height of the ring are important measurements and elements in thinking about in determining your design and overall look to your wedding ring," explains Josh Levkoff, private jeweler. "Too delicate of a ring can make it look too feminine, while too thick of a ring can give it a bulky and chunky look and feel to it." He also recommends keeping your profession top of mind. "A man who works with his hands might want to consider a ring somewhere in the middle of the range of the thickness spectrum," he adds.

Step 6: Shop around.

Before making your final purchase, it's smart to shop around. Go to at least three stores to try on rings and to compare styles and prices. "You will be wearing these rings forever so it is important to see what is available and take time to look at rings that compliment your personality and style," says Staudt. "Grooms so frequently are swayed into getting their ring at the same place they purchased the bride's engagement ring." Be sure that wherever you purchase the ring they can accommodate sizing, engraving, maintenance, and care, she adds.

Step 7: Get yourself sized.

Comfort is key, especially when it comes to a ring that you will wear the rest of your life. It's important to get sized to you don't have to have the ring cut and changed later on. "This is also known as the millimeter of the ring, which is the width of it on your finger," explains Kankariya. "While some men prefer a wider or narrower look, something in the range of 4 to 6 millimeters is the most common." Depending on your hand shape and size, you may want to get larger or smaller.

Step 8: Add ring insurance.

This is an important step recommended by all jewelers. "While you can never replace the original ring and memories that go with the special day, should the ring become lost or damaged beyond repair insurance will give you peace of mind," explains Staudt.