Tradition or No: Who Buys the Man's Wedding Ring?

Alright, one of you has a ring, and one of you doesn’t. That seems like an issue. However, we have one bridge to cross first: who buys the damn thing? Not sure why this is an issue, but it’s something we aren’t all on the same page about. Spoiler alert: Whoever wants to buy it should buy it. It’s kinda that simple.

Okay, But Traditionally?

Traditionally, the bride buys the groom’s wedding ring. Is that the only option? No, definitely not. There’s no requirement for any of it, really. That being said, in the age of buying wedding rings, that’s how it has usually gone down. Doesn’t sound like your speed? Not a problem. There are other ways of going about this.

Can a Man Buy His Own Wedding Ring? 

Sure, why not? If he wants to. Maybe he’s got a specific taste and wants to handle it himself. There’s no reason that a man can’t buy his own wedding ring if that’s what’s going to make the most sense.

What About Shopping Together?

This is really the best of both worlds here. You get to take on the tradition of buying him his wedding ring while doing it together. If he doesn’t have strong opinions, he’s just along for the ride. If he does have strong opinions about it all, then he’s there to offer his thoughts. This way, he can put in as much input as he desires, and no one has to feel any undue pressure. 

He loves classic men’s wedding bands? Well, he can let that be known. He’d be fine with a cardboard ring if it was waterproof? Well, looks like you get to have full control of the shopping experience.

Is There a Right Way to Go About Ring Shopping for Him?

No, not really. The only “right” option is the one that makes sense for both of you. If it’s going to be a source of contention for you to buy his ring (or not to), there’s no reason to get worked up. Do what makes sense. Seriously, we’ve said it already, but it is quite literally that simple. Don’t think too much on this one.

Source: shutterstock.com/Ground Picture

How to Ring Shop 

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, let’s go over some basics. If you’ve never bought a ring before, it can be daunting. It doesn’t have to be, and it’s sort of dumb that it is. But, that’s just how it goes. Let’s go over a few ground rules.

Rule 1: Take Your Time

Seriously, there’s no rush to this. Just like brides rarely find their dress on day one (it’s almost too quick of a decision if they do), you don’t need to find your ring on day one. Shop around and check out all the types of men’s wedding bands to choose from. It’s not a race.

Source: shutterstock.com/Daniel Jedzura

Rule 2: Stay Within Your Means 

This is a huge mistake that’s made all too often. You see a ring you love and a price tag you loathe. Going into wedding ring debt isn’t your only option, though. With lots of affordably priced rings that every guy is going to love, you aren’t limited.

Rule 3: Enjoy It

Yes, there may be some stress to it, but it’s supposed to be fun! Enjoy yourself, breathe and just keep shopping until you find the one.

That’s really all there is to it. If you want to buy your man his ring, awesome. More power to you. If you don’t want to (or he wants to buy his own), so be it. No big deal. Just do what makes the most sense and stop overthinking it.