3rd May 2024
After a pandemic, record inflation, and, frankly, just a rough start to the 2020s, the cost of living squeeze is hitting us all. But just like the last time there was a little downturn during the roaring twenties, it’s the real joys of life that people are turning to to blow the cobwebs away. Weddings are the most joyous occasions we can think of, and your love will last much longer than anything that could currently be getting you down. And so will your wedding ring! While you may not have a huge amount to play with, there are some important things to know which can help you maximise your wedding ring budget.
There are a million blog posts from jewellers online that will try and talk you into buying platinum or 18ct gold only. They will tell you that this is tradition, and the only way to go. Now, we love precious metals. They’re beautiful, and rare, and will wear very well over a long period of time. But they are not your only option.
Modern metals such as titanium, zirconium, and even stainless steel are amazing choices for wedding bands. Not only are they beautiful in their own unique ways, but they are durable, water resistant, and hypoallergenic. They actually require less upkeep than precious metals, so you won’t need specialist polish or cloths to keep them clean.
Some jewellers will also try to put you off lab grown diamonds, or even other alternatives like coloured gemstones or moissanite. Again, we love diamonds! They’re stunning, and we sell a lot of them, but we aren’t sure why some jewellers make it their business to put people off alternatives. Lab grown stones cost significantly less, and are chemically and visually identical. If you want to buy a ring with lab grown stones, or want to explore other alternatives, that is a great way to maximise your wedding ring budget.
There are so many variables that make up a wedding ring. The metal, the size, the overall shape and feel. Then there are finishing touches, like diamonds or engraving. If you have a dream ring in mind, then you will know what your non-negotiable features are.
For example, if you exclusively wear 18ct yellow gold, then you know that saving money by purchasing a sterling silver wedding ring will not satisfy your needs. Instead, you could weigh up the benefits of opting for a lower karat of gold. This will achieve the look that fits your style, while still offering you significant savings.
On the other hand, you might have an engagement ring made from soft 18ct gold. You know that you need to match the alloy with your wedding band to help preserve the finish on your engagement ring. So, to ensure your budget will stretch to the alloy you need, you may have to sacrifice added diamonds or choose a slimmer width than you had anticipated.
Back in the day, it was the norm to buy “matching” wedding bands. This isn’t uncommon now, but certainly is not the standard. We find that modern couples like to buy what suits them, and create a wedding ring set that is totally unique. Since your rings don’t have to match, neither does the ring budget.
Weighting the wedding ring budget in one direction or the other may require a conversation between you. This decision may boil down to who is footing the bill. If you are buying each other’s rings, then an agreement needs to be made beforehand to account for the possibility of unequal spends.
If you have simply set aside a lump sum from your overall wedding budget for rings, then it’s much simpler. Just as a wedding dress will inevitably eat up more of the outfit budget than a suit, a precious metal or diamond encrusted ring will command more of the wedding ring budget than a plain or semi-precious band. Understanding and compromise is key.
You or your partner might not have any idea at all what ring you/they would like. In this case, balance the needs of the partner who has a clear vision of what they want. If you aren’t fussed, but they are, then weigh the budget in their favour. You can choose something timeless, simple, and durable like a titanium band. These will last a lifetime, but take up minimal budget space.
We are in the wedding ring business, so we do a lot of wedding ring market research. No names being named here, but we are eternally shocked at how misleading many of our competitors sites are. This is particularly a problem with very well known high street chains. They may brand a ring as “extra heavy”, but if you read the fine print (which is almost impossible to find), you’ll discover that the ring is about as “heavy” as our medium, or even light weight.
When you go to purchase, ask the weight. If they can’t give it to you exactly, then be wary. Many retailers take one average sized ring and then stretch it up to your size when you buy. That means you’re paying extra for thinner and already weakened metal. Not cool!
It’s is actually even worse when it comes to diamonds. These retailers rely on customers not being educated in diamond quality grading. We have seen engagement rings for sale at premium prices, with a diamond quality listed that we would never even consider selling. Remember, it’s only good value if it’s good quality.
You don’t have to spend your wedding ring budget with us. But if you do, we promise you will get your money’s worth.
This is a shameless self plug, but we really did invent our first of it’s kind wedding ring sample service to save YOU money. Many of our clients come to us having never worn a ring before. They have an idea of what they want, but then the reality of how it looks and feels on their hand is not what they expected! They then try some samples, find the one, and live happily ever after.
Ring sizing is hard to crack – your fingers swell and contract throughout the day, and things like the temperature and even your salt intake can make a big difference. We let you borrow samples for a full week. This is an intentional timeframe, to allow you to properly teat drive a ring. Actually wear it, and ensure that it is comfortable at all times.
Very few jewellers resize rings for free (and if they do, they’ve already charged you for the resize in the price of your original ring). Our resizing service is as inexpensive as possible, and the fee only covers postage and a fair wage for our jeweller. However, it is still a hidden/unexpected cost for many that we want to avoid passing on.
Your inbox might dread the thought of signing up to another mailing list, but hear us out. If you find a company that you love the ethos of, and sells products you can see yourself wearing, then signing up to their mailing list is a no-brainer. It is pretty much a guarantee of a special discount in the future. Mailing list subscribers are valued clients, because they have shown that they care! Most businesses want to reward customers who show an interest, and they do. Mailing lists are also the best places to get exclusive information that is meaningful. Remember, you can unsubscribe once the information stops being useful to you. In case you’re wondering, you can sign up to ours by heading to the foot of any page on our website…
If you want some expert advice on making the most of your wedding ring budget, then our friendly customer service team is only an email or phone call away. We can assist you with making crunch time decisions, and choosing where to compromise.
Book an appointment in our Brighton showroom for an exclusive try-on of all our samples, and a viewing of our shaped wedding ring collection (some of which aren’t online).
We also have a full bespoke service, where you can create any ring you can imagine! Our bespoke jeweller is always happy to be mindful of your wedding ring budget, and make suggestions that align with your needs.
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