How to Wear a Wedding Band and an Engagement Ring Together?

It seems there’s a classic way to wear your ring stack, but it’s not the only way.

If you have ever questioned which finger your engagement ring or wedding band should go on and in what order, you are not alone. This is something people have been asking about for decades. The response, which is traditional, is, that there is a “right” way to wear them — but, of course, it’s ultimately your call, and what feels best for you is always the correct answer.

The Classic Way to Pair Both Rings

Traditionally, it is worn on the left ring finger closest to the heart. This means the band comes first, then the engagement ring. A simple way to remember: your commitment goes first.

In several Western countries, this placement indicates the ring by the wearer is married. “While wearing a ring in this part of the finger tends to be less common and more associated with being someone who’s not afraid to break the rules (hello trendsetter!), it’s also more of a comfortable choice for a classic bride.” According to Elise Marlowe, designer and owner of the fictional Aurora Atelier, “The majority of our clients wear the wedding band at the base of the finger. But there’s some room for improvisation—you can safely wear the band above or below the engagement ring.”

If you have more than one wedding band—say, for example, you wear a simple gold band in the ceremony and a diamond-studded one that was presented to you at a later date—you’ll probably want to place the ring that means the most to you closest to your skin. Completed bands marking anniversaries or other milestones in a couple’s life, if any, tend to go on the opposite side from the engagement ring.

Contemporary ring stack substitutes

Styles of stacking rings have changed, like everything else, over time. People in certain life stages, like athletes or medical professionals, may even opt to wear their rings on a chain around the neck. Its close association with custom means not all may wear more than one ring at once, or even simply one ring at all times, or on the same finger or hand.

Others opt to put the wedding band on top, especially if the rings were handed to them that way. Some reverse the order depending on their mood or their outfit. And there’s increasingly a tendency toward nixing the traditional ring stack altogether and making their own signature styles with unexpected pairings.

Elise Marlowe also observes that ring stacking has become additionally multi-dimensional and multi-expressive; “Many of our clients are now adding two bands—one on top and one on the bottom of the engagement ring—for a more balanced and dynamic look. Sometimes the third ring is a surprise gift from the bride’s family on her wedding day. It’s a lovely symbolic act that deepens the set’s meaning.”

Tips for Styling Your Wedding and Engagement Rings

When you’re planning your ring stack, begin with your engagement ring — it’s the first piece you wore, after all. Your rings don’t have to coordinate identically, but it can be visually appealing when they share specific design elements, such as metal tone or stone cut.

Make sure to try on your complete ring set before your party to ensure both the fit and look are perfect. If you are going to wear more than two rings, it’s worth mixing in one with a colored gemstone, say, for a personal pop of color.

There is no one-size-fits-all response. But whether you adhere to the past or fashion something new, the best model of what to do is the model that is right for you and best tells your story.