Nov 26, 2019
Wedding Sets: Should Your Rings Match? (Updated 2025)
LISA
Couples put a great deal of love and consideration into choosing—or designing—an engagement ring. And rightly so. Saying “Yes, I will marry you” when an engagement ring is presented is the spark that inspires your journey into marriage. That spark is important to keep alive and cherish, but marriage is built on a great deal more than a single moment. That’s why both partners traditionally wear wedding bands: to honor the enduring commitment following the initial “yes.”
These bands should not be treated as an afterthought. Think of them as the foundation of a complete work of art crowned by the engagement ring.
Complement, Not Match: Why Words Matter
In this article, we'll explore how the rings in a bridal set can complement one another. We use the word complement intentionally because rings don't have to match in the traditional sense of being identical in order to belong together. A wedding set can be unified through shared meaning, subtle design echoes, or storytelling themes, rather than mirrored or identical elements.
How closely the rings align in style or symbolism is entirely up to you. There’s no wrong answer, no rulebook—choose your rings based on what feels personal, meaningful, and right for your relationship.
While this article focuses on the classic three-ring bridal set (engagement ring plus two wedding bands), the same principles apply to larger suites—including promise rings, men’s engagement rings, or matching bridal jewelry such as earrings, pendants, and bracelets. At Krikawa, we love the challenge of creating an expansive suite bringing it all together.
Who Chooses the Wedding Bands--and When?
The timing and process for selecting wedding bands vary with each couple.
If the engagement ring is a surprise, the proposer may choose to buy one or both matching wedding bands at the same time, allowing the set to be designed cohesively from the beginning. For example, our Tree of Life collection is an example of taking this approach. The collection includes simple to ornate tree branch engagement rings and tree branch wedding bands with with matching symbolic motifs.
Others prefer to collaborate on wedding band design after the proposal, creating space for both partners the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the set’s final design.
More often now, couples plan and design their bridal set as a team. They will meet with us after making a decision to get engaged and before either has purchased an engagement ring. In this approach, the couple may choose to design all three rings at once or postpone the bands until closer to the wedding. The former ensures a fully integrated set; the latter allows the couple to consider each ring on its own artistic terms and mix aesthetically differing bands.
A great example is wearing a sleek modern engagement ring next to a delicate vintage wedding band, and a partner’s band in either lane or a mashup of styles. The best approach will, as always, be the one that simply feels right for you.
Straight or Contoured? Understanding Fit and Form
Whether the engagement is planned or a surprise, the design of the accompanying wedding band is largely influenced by the engagement ring's shape.
A straight engagement ring has a flat profile along the finger, allowing a wedding band to sit flush beside it.
A curved engagement ring refers to any ring where the band gently arcs or dips to accommodate a center stone, a halo, or decorative elements like floral or side stones. When your engagement ring has a curve, a couple may choose between:
• A contoured wedding band that mirrors the engagement ring’s shape
• A straight wedding band that creates intentional negative space between the rings.
Some people—myself included—prefer the aesthetic of a 
straight band paired with a curved engagement ring. If you make this choice, make sure it is a conscious decision, rather than an accidental one—how much negative space between ring is too much for you? If that is a concern, then the answer may be a wedding band that already has a lot of negative space. For example, a more delicate design like those in our Vine and Leaf or Delicate Tree Branch collection easily pair with curved engagement rings since the airy feel of the band creates a finished look that compliments many engagement rings.
The Contour Illusion: It’s Not About Precision
Next, let's consider the contoured wedding band. A contoured band is designed with a gentle arc that generally follows the engagement ring silhouette. Rather than aiming for a mechanically perfect fit (which may not be possible or ideal in some styles), the goal is to create visual harmony. The contour follows the natural flow of the engagement ring without crowding or interrupting its design.
To Solder or Not to Solder?
When wearing a wedding band, you’ll likely notice some shifting: the engagement ring remains centered while the band rotates slightly with hand movement. You’ll notice this more with a contoured wedding ring because the curves will slip out of alignment during wear. For some, this isn’t an issue. For others, it’s distracting. Over time, the friction between two separate rings can cause metal wear leading to problems down the road.
Professionally speaking, we recommend soldering your rings together. Doing so:
• keeps them perfectly aligned
• Reduces wear between the metals
• Improves comfort and long-term durability
However, once rings are soldered together, they can no longer be worn independently. If you leave your engagement ring at home in certain situations, like travelling or at the gym, and you are not bothered by the occasional misalignment, then keeping the rings separate may better suit your lifestyle
The Other Wedding Band: Matching, Echoing, or Independent
The person not wearing the engagement ring has a bit more flexibility in selecting their wedding band. Here, couples often fall into three categories:
1. Matching Rings.
Matching doesn't have to mean identical. Many couples prefer a shared motif, like a leaf pattern or dragonfly design, which appears across all rings, but with variation in scale, width or accent stones. This provides symmetry within the bridal set, while allowing each design to reflect individual style.
At Krikawa, we specialize in designing sets where:
• The engagement ring and its band match visually
• The partner’s wedding band continues the same motif, color, or texture.
One example is our Dragonfly bridal set. It is a style in which the dragonfly engagement ring is matched with the dragonfly diamond wedding band, which is in turn matched by the partner’s wedding band-- a wide dragonfly band with or without diamonds that shares the same dragonfly motif. The set incorporates the same symbolic element, but is executed in ways tailored to each wearer.
We are experts in creating sets like this, so let us know if you’re a full-on “matcher” and we can guide you towards styles that work this way or help you design a fully cohesive bridal set from scratch.
2. Thematic Unity.
If your vision is harmony without symmetry, we'll help you select or design rings that speak to each other rather than mimic one another.
Our Delicate Leaf wedding rings are a great example of how to create a thematic suite like this. The women's wedding band that can accompany a leaf engagement ring is more feminine, with its delicate use of negative space, while for the standalone men's wedding band you may want a more solid, masculine appeal. Your partner may also choose a ring in a similar design motif, such as our wide leaf wedding bands, many of which are inspired by a similar engagement ring. The motifs are the same, but the realizations are unique and distinct.
Some ways to achieve thematic unity among wedding bands are:
• A couple may choose modern rings with clean lines or vintage rings rich with fine detail.
• They might share a metal (e.g., platinum) or gemstone (e.g., sapphire) across both rings while letting the designs diverge.
• Unify a set through symbolism, such as infinity symbols weddings rings which evoke eternal love and shared purpose. One partner’s ring may be ornate and encrusted with diamonds, while the men's infinity symbol band is understated and masculine.
• Let your relationship experiences guide the theme. If you love the ocean—choose rings from our ocean themed or beach wedding rings. One partner may wear a ring with stylized waves and ocean blue diamonds, while the other wears a ring depicting your favorite shoreline, palm trees, and surf. The imagery may differ, but both rings capture your coastal connection
Whether the theme is style preference, metal options, stone selection, a special symbol or a special place, let your shared spirit guide you to the perfect set.
3. Independent Design.
Some couples intentionally embrace contrast. In this case, each ring tells a personal story that reflects your individuality while still feeling connected. The standalone band does not match the rest of the wedding set at all. If your preference leans toward contrast, we've got ideas for this too! Here are some favorite non-matching partner rings:
• A custom mountain wedding band is for someone who finds meaning in nature and adventure. Detailed with sculpted mountain peaks, trees, or a rising sun, this ring speaks to a shared love of the outdoors.
• A custom landscape wedding band is a powerful way to honor your journey together in an intimate, expressive way that is entirely your own. These rings can be a visual postcard of your relationship’s greatest moments carved in precious metal.
• A dragon wedding band is for the partner with a mythic soul or a passion for mythical creatures. Whether sculpted with scaled textures or a full serpent motif, this is an intriguing contrast to a more traditional engagement ring set.
• A diamond men’s wedding band offers refined luxury with high visual impact. Whether featuring a single diamond, a full channel row, or encrusted with pave, these designs bring brilliance and weight to the set without mimicking the engagement ring.
• Textured men’s bands are ideal for those with a more understated aesthetic. From brushed finished to hammered surfaces, these designs can create just the right balance to an ornate engagement ring and are timeless in their appeal.
Whether bold or understated, symbolic or personal, independently designed bands allow each partner’s story to shine while still honoring the shared journey that brings them together.
Let Your Rings Tell Your Story
Whether you prefer perfectly matching rings, coordinated themes, or fully independent designs, your wedding bands should reflect your story, your values, and your shared journey.
We know that choosing the right wedding bands is as personal as it gets, and making that choice can feel overwhelming. From contouring and soldering decisions to motif selection and gemstone accents, the design consultants at Krikawa are here to guide you through all of these decisions, ensuring your wedding set is not just beautiful but deeply personal. We want to help you design rings that are as intentional as your vows.
Let us bring your vision to life!
Look Around
