4 Alternative Ways to Wear Your Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

Wearing your wedding band on your left hand dates back to Roman tradition and the ancient belief that a vein ran directly from the left ring finger to the heart. While the science may have been debunked, that idea of a "vena amoris", or a love vein, holds strong today, which is the reason why most couples sport their rings on their left hand.

However, with many couples choosing to ditch tradition and show their commitment in varying ways, there's no longer a rule that dictates how a person should wear their engagement ring and wedding band. To further prove this point, we spoke with Erin Sachse, founder of the fine jewelry brand Eriness, to share the top four alternative ways couples can wear their rings while still displaying their love and devotion. Read on below.

Stack Your Wedding Bands

If you’re a ring stack devotee, consider purchasing more than one wedding band to layer on both sides of your engagement ring (or to just wear on their own). If this sounds like a route you'd like to take, Sachse notes there are two "rules" to follow in achieving the ultimate ring stack.

"Rule number one to stacking is to take your time! Nothing good happens fast, so take your time building your stacks and make it personal to you," she shares. "Rule number two is there are no rules. Stack as many as you want, wear whatever color stone you like, and have fun. I might be biased but more is more—literally wear them on every finger if you want!"

Give Your Right Hand Some Love

Don’t want your right hand to be left out? Wear your wedding band on your left hand, and switch your engagement ring to your right. Down the line, you can also add anniversary bands to create a pretty and colorful stack on your right hand, similar to what Sachse does with her Multi Colored Eternity Band and Large Pink Sapphire Eternity Band.

In some countries and cultures, such as several orthodox Christian communities, wedding rings are worn on the right hand instead of the left, freeing up your dominant hand from any possible restrictions caused by an engagement ring.

Wear Them as a Necklace

If you're inclined to go completely hands-free—either just for a particularly adventurous experience (hello, white water rafting) or full-time—you can always slip your rings on a favorite chain and secure them around your neck. "The engagement ring is less about the actual ring and more about its meaning. With that being said, because it is such a personal piece of jewelry, I think everyone can wear it as they please," shares Sachse.

Skip a Band Completely

Last, but not least, you can also skip the wedding band altogether. (Remember, there are no rules when it comes to what you should wear to show your marital commitment). Instead, use your engagement ring to symbolize your marriage, or opt for alternative ideas like sporting matching ring tattoos or bracelets.