Traditionally, buying wedding jewellery was all about finding the perfect engagement ring, with the wedding bands viewed as a minor consideration. Today, it's common for both rings to be viewed as equally important investments in your future together. Bridal sets combine an engagement ring with a matching wedding band, creating a two-ring set that has a unique, harmonious look.
Purchasing a bridal set offers several advantages over buying an engagement ring and wedding band separately. First, it makes it easier to match the engagement ring to the wedding band. It's also a great way to give your partner two unique, special rings to wear on the same finger.
From matching to complementary sets, modern bridal sets come in a range of different designs and types. Below, we'll walk you through:
The advantages of buying a bridal set instead of separate rings.
The difference between a bridal set and a wedding set.
What to consider when buying a bridal set.
The most common bridal set purchasing mistakes.
Buying an engagement ring, wedding bands and other marriage essentials can be a daunting task. Add in other things, such as planning the wedding and building your life together, and it's easy to see how the simplicity of a bridal set can be appealing.
Compared to buying an engagement ring and wedding band separately, there are several key benefits to buying a bridal set:
Buying a bridal set keeps things simple and convenient: Instead of having to shop for two different rings separately, you can save time and make sure everything matches by buying both of your partner's rings at the same time.
Bridal sets look fantastic: A typical bridal set includes an engagement ring as well as a matching wedding band for the bride, creating a unique, complementary set that looks incredible when worn on the same finger.
There are countless options available: Modern bridal sets are available with a wide range of different settings, precious metals and designs, letting you choose the perfect set based on your partner's skin tone, tastes and expectations.
Bridal sets can offer great value for money: Because you're buying two rings at the same time (or more, in the case of a wedding set), you can usually save money when buying a bridal set compared to purchasing an engagement ring and wedding band separately.
A Bridal Set In Rose Gold.
Outside the jewellery world, the term "wedding set" is often used to refer to any set that includes an engagement ring and one or more wedding rings.
In the world of jewellery, a bridal set is a set that consists of an engagement ring and a matching wedding band for the bride. With a bridal set, the groom needs to purchase his wedding band separately.
A wedding set consists of an engagement ring and matching wedding band for the bride, as well as a matching wedding band for the groom. Buying a wedding set means that all three rings are taken care of at once, helping you save money and time when you're preparing to get married.
Just like buying an engagement ring and wedding band separately, it's important to understand what you're looking for when you compare bridal sets:
Have a design in mind: Engagement rings come in a massive range of styles, from simple solitaire engagement rings to rings with a side stone, three stone, halo or twist design, making it important to know what engagement ring setting and style you're looking for before you start comparing different options.
Choose a gemstone and metal: Gold, platinum and other popular engagement ring and wedding band metals all have their own unique upsides and downsides, meaning you'll be best informed about your options by working out what you want before you start shopping.
If you like gold jewellery, make sure you're aware of which gold purity level is the best match for your budget and lifestyle:
Work out your partner's ring size: While most engagement rings can be resized after you purchase them, be aware that rings with inset gemstones, as well as rings made from rose gold, tungsten and other fragile or very hard metals are often difficult or impossible to resize.
Consider if you'd prefer a finished bridal set or a customized set: Some bridal sets use a semi mount setting without a center stone, letting you pick the diamond or other gemstone you'd like for your partner.
Set your budget before you start shopping: Just like with other marriage related purchases, it's easy to spend more than you expected on a bridal or wedding set if you don't have a budget worked out beforehand.
Luckily, most jewellery brands make it easy to pick a matching wedding band for any engagement ring.
A Bridal Pave Set.
Finally, if you're not sure what to buy, don't be afraid to ask your jeweller for assistance. The right jeweller can help you work out the best options for you and your partner based on your style and budget, helping you avoid common mistakes, as explained below and get the best set for your needs.
Choosing the right engagement and wedding ring set is a huge decision. While the jeweller you purchase your bridal set from will usually do their best to help you, it's still possible to make one of several common mistakes when you're shopping for wedding jewellery.
Luckily, these mistakes are usually easy to avoid with some basic research. Some of the most common bridal set purchasing mistakes include:
Choosing shapes that don't match: It's important to match the shape of the engagement ring to the shape of the wedding band to avoid choosing a set that has an awkward fit. For optimal comfort, make sure the engagement and wedding rings you choose have shapes that match or complement each other. Look out for rings that rub against each other, as friction can damage gemstones and many metals over time.
Choosing incompatible metals: Not all metals are equally durable, meaning a wedding ring that's made from a hard metal such as platinum could damage an engagement ring that's made from white gold over the long term. It's almost always best to pick engagement and wedding rings that use the same type of metal, as these are least likely to damage each other through regular wear. If you're not sure about the best metals for bridal sets, ask your jeweller for their recommendations.
Choosing disproportionate rings: There's more to choosing matching rings than just picking the same metal and gemstones. It's also important to pay attention to the size, weight, and balance of the two rings, especially when they're worn on the same finger. When you're choosing a bridal set, make sure you keep things in proportion. If you've selected an engagement ring with a small gemstone, for example, it's best to opt for a relatively thin wedding band to avoid making it look smaller once it's worn.
Like always, most of these mistakes can be avoided by asking your jeweller for their advice and recommendations. They'll be able to help you choose a bridal set that looks great and matches your budget.
All in all, choosing a bridal or wedding set can help you save time, spend less and avoid several common headaches while you shop for engagement and wedding jewellery, all while getting rings that are the perfect match for each other.