Wedding Rings - Some Love Them, Others Don't

Everyone has probably put some thought into weddings and marriage at some point in time. Do I want to get married? What would I want my ideal wedding ceremony to look like? Obviously, no two ideas on what constitutes a "perfect" wedding and marriage are going to be the same, and each couple has to spend time thinking about what they both want and will work best for them.

Some couples want a big fancy affair complete with a tiara for the bride, trumpets blaring a diamond the size of a grapefruit, while others are perfectly content to exchange vows in a garden with just a few friends and perhaps: no wedding rings? This may shock people with a more traditional mindset as to what goes on during a wedding ceremony, but some couples just do not want to wear rings. The following will look at both sides of the coin.

Rings: Love Them

Rings have been a part of wedding and marriage symbolism thousands of years. Their tradition is well known and beloved by many, and there are couples who simply cannot imagine having a wedding ceremony without rings. Rings are circular and never ending, thus representing the bonds and vows of marriage.

Not only is there the historical symbolism; couples like to be able to look down and see a daily reminder that they are a part of a union, a family. Wearing wedding rings also sends a message to the public, those who may not know you, about your relationship status and availability. Not that there should be a reason for one person not to approach another, many respect the ring on one's finger and will not attempt any pick up lines.

For brides to be, specifically, receiving an engagement ring can be a special occasion. She can be fawned over and her ring ogled by friends and family, and she can look forward to knowing that she will soon be adding another ring to compliment her engagement ring as well as her husband's wedding band. For men, a wedding band may be the only piece of jewelry that he regularly wears, making it all the more special.

Rings: Leave Them

Have you ever met an anti-bride? Not the type who never wants to get married, but the kind who wants to turn away from all form of traditional marriage and do her own thing. Maybe she wants to get a new tattoo to demonstrate the commitment she is making, or perhaps she hates jewelry and has no notions of ever wearing any.

Some grooms-to-be loathe the idea of jewelry as well, or they might work in occupations where wearing a ring would get in the way or be dangerous, no matter how simple the design. Some couples simply do not want to do things according to tradition. They may not need a ring on their finger to be reminded of their love for one another, and do not care what other people think about the status symbol that rings sometimes tend to be.

No matter which type of person you are, ring or no ring, a decision like this is something that should be talked about in great detail with your partner, engaged or not. You could be a woman hoping for a beautiful engagement ring, but if you are in love with an anti-jewelry man who has no clue how you feel, you may be staring at an empty ring finger for years. The beauty of a solid relationship is that you should easily be able to come to some sort of compromise.