Male Wedding Bands: A Guide to Choosing Wedding Rings for Guys

So you did a great job picking out your fiancé’s ring. Congrats, now it’s your turn!

Too many guys don’t put in a lot of thoughts about their own wedding band. But it’s an incredibly important piece of jewelry that you should be looking forward to wearing for the rest of your life.

It can be difficult to know where to start, especially if you’re not a big jewelry guy. Finding great wedding rings for guys is a lot easier than you might think once you know what to look for.

We’re here to help with our men’s wedding band style guide. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the most popular men’s wedding band materials and styles.

Choosing a Metal 

The metal you choose is one of the most important aspects of wedding bands for men. There are more options on the market than ever before, each with its own merits in terms of style, durability, and price.

Platinum

Platinum is one of the most luxury metals for wedding rings, and it’s also one of the most durable. Its bright white color is clean and elegant. However, all the benefits of platinum come with one of the heftiest price tags.

White Gold

White gold is a very popular men’s wedding ring style. It’s great for someone who wants the modern look of white metal in a classic material.

White gold is usually plated in rhodium, silver, or palladium. The plating will often fade over time, so it will most likely need to be re-plated every few years.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold has been a classic wedding band material for decades. The warm metal tone is elegant and timeless. Many men default to yellow gold for this reason.

Gold is a softer metal, prone to wear and scratches over time. Keep this in mind if you work with your hands often or plan to wear your ring 24/7.

Rose Gold

Rose gold has become increasingly popular over the last few years. This metal is a mixture of gold and copper. Rose gold has a warm and vintage feel.

Palladium

Palladium is a good option if you like the look of platinum but not the price. Palladium is slightly softer than platinum, but it’s still one of the most durable metal options.

Sterling Silver 

Sterling silver is one of the most affordable precious metals. However, it is pretty soft. A wedding ring that is worn daily is susceptible to scratches and bending over time.

Titanium

Titanium is a modern metal option. It’s super durable and budget-friendly. On the downside, titanium can’t be resized. If you need to alter the ring in any way, you will most likely need to replace it instead.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is another rugged and affordable option. It’s also hypoallergenic. Unfortunately, it has the same drawbacks as titanium. Stainless steel is so hard that it’s impossible to resize.

Tungsten 

Tungsten is another modern wedding band choice that has been gaining popularity. This metal is distinctive, durable, and affordable. However, tungsten can feel a bit heavy, and it will break with enough force. Tungsten rings can’t be resized, either.

Lifestyle and Durability

When choosing your wedding band, it’s really important to consider your lifestyle. If you plan to wear your wedding ring all the time or if you have a job where you work with your hands, you should look for a ring in one of the most durable metals. If you plan to only wear your wedding ring to work in an office and on special occasions, you can opt for a softer metal or more elaborate style.

Choosing a Finish

The finish of your ring has a big impact on the overall style. Here are three of the most common wedding band finishes.

High Polish

High polish rings are the most classic option. They have a bit of shine and look elegant with any metal type.

Matte

A matte finish looks modern and clean. This is a good choice if you want something subtle and stylish.

Hammered

A hammered finish is very distinctive. It gives rings a rugged and textured look like it was handmade.

Width

Width is an important aspect of both style and comfort. Generally speaking, a slim ring is about 4mm, a medium ring is about 6mm, and a wide ring is about 8mm.

Wider rings usually look best on large hands, but it’s really up to your preference. Wider rings tend to be more expensive.

Wide rings are also heavier. If you’re new to wearing rings, this might be uncomfortable. If you’d prefer a ring that you can forget you’re wearing, go with something on the slimmer side.

Details 

Men aren’t confined to just simple, one-tone bands. There are many wedding rings for guys that let you show a little more personality.

If you like some flash, you can go with a wedding band with diamonds or other gemstones. Carved wedding bands are another popular option for adding some details.

If you’d like an extra personal touch, you can have your wedding band engraved with a special message. You can even have it engraved on the inside if you’d like to keep it between you and your spouse-to-be.

Try on a Variety of Rings 

It can be tempting to just find a nice ring and go, but it’s important to try a few on. You should get a feel for what it’s like to wear different styles and sizes, especially if you’re new to the world of wedding bands.

It’s important to find the perfect fit to make sure your ring will be comfortable long-term. Try on different metals, styles, widths, and sizes to see what works best. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.

The Best Wedding Rings for Guys 

A man’s wedding band shouldn’t be an afterthought. Wedding rings for guys are more varied than ever, so take some time to find a style that suits your personality and lifestyle. After all, you’ll be wearing it for years to come.

Did this article help take some of the guesswork out of shopping for men’s wedding rings? Check out more from our blog for more insight on a variety of home and lifestyle topics.