Did you know that wedding rings date back thousands of years? The first rings to be used in marriage ceremonies date back to the ancient Egyptians when they used braided reeds and hemp for their rings.
The rings were placed on the fourth finger of the left hand due to the belief that a vein of love runs from that finger into the heart.
Today, you can buy all wedding rings, from simple bands to ornate diamond rings. But many modern couples want wedding rings that are more personal and unique, which is why lots of brides and grooms-to-be opt for engraved rings.
It can take time to come up with the perfect engraving idea, and you’re sure to want the etching to be both unique and inspiring. So, check out the following ideas.
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Choosing a Wedding Ring
Before you decide on which engraving to etch into your wedding rings, it’s a good idea first to select your and your partner’s rings. You’ll then have a better idea of how much space the ring has for an etching, limiting the design or message you want to include.
You could go with traditional diamond rings, so you should check out this list of engraved diamond rings to choose from.
Alternatively, you could opt for other stones, such as aquamarine, emerald, or black opal. Or you could go with plain wedding bands.
In addition to materials like gold and silver, you could choose something more unique, such as maple or ebony wood rings.
Once you know the type of wedding rings you and your partner will wear, you can start exploring ideas for meaningful and unique engravings.
Traditional Engravings for Wedding Rings
Before looking at more unique ideas for wedding ring engravings, it’s worth noting that many traditional engravings can be inspirational.
Many brides and grooms opt for the names or initials of one another or a particular date, such as the wedding date or when they met their partners.
So, you could always choose a traditional engraving idea and make it more personal and unique. For instance, you could have your wedding date in Roman numerals etched onto your rings.
Other traditional engraving ideas include:
- The name of a location that’s important to you both.
- Your nicknames for each other.
- Words like “Love,” “Forever,” and “Always.”
- Words from your marriage vows, such as “Till death we do part.”
- The infinity symbol.
Engravings in Different Languages
Consider using another language to make your wedding ring etching choice more unique.
Some words and expressions sound more romantic in other languages. So, you could base your decision on which language speaks the language of love, such as etching the words “Je t’aime” on your rings, which, as you’re sure to know means “I love you” in French.
Alternatively, you could pick a language with special meaning for you. For instance, if you’re honeymooning in Japan, you could etch the words “Koi no yokan,” which describe the feeling of meeting someone you instantly fall in love with.
Other wedding ring etching ideas in other languages include:
- “Kara sevda”, which is Turkish for a love that forever grows.
- “Meraki” is a Greek word for putting your soul and love into something.
- “Yuanfen” is the Chinese word for fate or destiny.
- “Myn genyst,” which is Old German for “My heart.”
- “Semper fidelis,” which is Latin for “Always faithful.”
Quotes for Your Wedding Ring Engraving
For a truly unique and inspiring wedding ring etching, consider a quote. It could be a quote from a favourite song, poem, movie, or anything else. The possibilities are endless.
Here are just a few ideas to help you get inspired.
- “I carry your heart”, which is from a poem by E.E. Cummings.
- “I would walk 500 miles”, which is from a song by The Proclaimers.
- “To me, you are perfect”, which is from the movie Love Actually.
- “Love never dies a natural death”, which is by the writer Anais Nin.
- “Love is always patient and kind”, which is from the Holy Bible.
Humorous Engravings for Your Wedding Rings
Even though marriage is a serious commitment, weddings are a lot of fun. And if you and your spouse-to-be have a wicked sense of humour and like to joke around, you may want to choose an engraving that is light-hearted or funny.
For instance, you could go with an engraving like:
- We’re stuck with each other now.
- Dibs!
- Do not remove.
- Non-refundable.
- Alarm will sound if removed.
Symbols for Your Wedding Ring Engraving
Wedding ring engravings don’t have to be words, of course. You may wish to consider an image that is special to you and your partner or symbolizes your love for one another.
The infinity symbol and the heart symbol are two popular choices. But consider other ideas, such as:
- A maple leaf, which symbolizes fertility in China and Japan.
- A swan, which is a Celtic symbol for purity and love.
- An apple, which is a Chinese symbol for adoration.
- A seashell, which is a Greek symbol for protecting love.
- An ankh, which is the ancient Egyptian symbol for life and eternity.
Fingerprint Engravings
Words and images aren’t your only choices for wedding ring engravings. To make your rings truly personal and unique, consider having your and your spouse’s fingerprints engraved onto your rings.
You would have your partner’s fingerprint engraved on your ring and vice versa.
Bear in mind that rings won’t have enough room to fit whole fingerprints, but after you make fingerprints with the help of ink and paper, simply choose a portion of the print to be engraved.
Two Engravings That Make a Whole
Another great idea for a unique and inspiring etching on your wedding rings is to get two different etchings that, when they come together, make a whole.
For instance, you could have the words “To have” etched on your ring and the words “To hold” on your spouse’s ring, or you could use the words “To infinity” on one ring and “And beyond” on the other; which is an excellent idea if the two of you love the film Toy Story.
Separate etchings that go together don’t have to be words, though. You could opt for an arrow on one ring and a heart on another, or you could go with a big spoon and a little spoon on the two rings.
Think Outside the Box
Ideas for wedding ring engravings are endless. If you want to get extra creative and unique with your engraving, consider something more outside the box.
For example, if you and your spouse-to-be both have a passion for computing, you could have a message in binary code engraved on your rings, or if you are both fans of Star Trek, you could get engraved messages written in the language of Klingon.
You could even record your vows during the wedding ceremony and have the audio turned into pictorial soundwaves to engrave onto your rings after the wedding.
Tips for Engraving Your Wedding Rings
Now you have some exciting ideas for coming up with your own wedding ring engravings, you should spend a little time considering practicalities.
For example, if you opt for words to be engraved on your rings, you need to ensure that the wording can fit comfortably onto the rings. You don’t want the wording to be so small that it’s hard to read. So, stick to single words or short sentences.
You also need to consider the timeframe. Engravings can take anywhere from an hour to a month to complete, depending on the jeweller you go with.
Obviously, you need to ensure the engravings can be completed ahead of the wedding date. However, you could always choose to get the engravings done at a later date, after the wedding.
Finally, make sure that the engraving image or message that you want to be done is absolutely right. If there’s something like a spelling mistake, it could ruin your special ring. Therefore, always triple-check your design before giving it to the engraver.
Summary: Wedding Ring Engraving Ideas
- Initials and Wedding Date:
- Engrave your initials and wedding date on your wedding rings to commemorate your special day and create a timeless keepsake.
- Meaningful Quotes or Song Lyrics:
- Choose a meaningful quote or lyrics from a special song that represents your love and bond. It can be a phrase that holds sentimental value to both of you.
- Short and Sweet Messages:
- Opt for a short and sweet message that encapsulates your love in a few words. Examples include “Forever Yours,” “Soulmates Forever,” or “Love Always.”
- Inside Jokes or Personal Nicknames:
- Engrave a funny or cute inside joke or personal nickname that only the two of you share. It adds a touch of personalization and brings a smile to your faces.
- Vows or Promises:
- Engrave a line from your wedding vows or a promise you made to each other during the ceremony. It serves as a constant reminder of your commitment and love.
- Coordinates of a Special Location:
- Engrave the coordinates of a significant location, such as where you first met, got engaged, or tied the knot. It holds a unique significance and creates a beautiful memory.
- Symbols or Icons:
- Choose symbols or icons that represent something meaningful to your relationship, such as a heart, infinity symbol, or a special symbol that holds personal significance.
- Foreign Language Expressions:
- Engrave a word or phrase in a foreign language that holds significance for you as a couple. It adds an element of mystery and uniqueness to your wedding rings.
- Inspirational Mantras:
- Engrave an inspirational mantra or a word that signifies a value or quality you both aspire to embody. It serves as a daily reminder of your shared aspirations.
- Puzzle Piece Engravings:
- Engrave complementary puzzle piece symbols on each of your rings, representing how you complete and fit perfectly with each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does wedding ring engraving cost?
The cost will depend on the message or design you choose to have engraved. One word will cost less than a whole sentence. But typically, most brides and grooms-to-be pay between $25 and $100 for a single ring engraving.
How do you know the engraver will do a good job?
As long as you go with a professional jeweller or engraver, you can be assured that he or she will do a good job. But seeing as a wedding ring engraving is one of the most important engravings you will ever get done, it’s worth spending time researching different engravers in your local area, looking online for customer feedback, and talking to prospective engravers about their skills and experience before you go ahead with the engraving.
How are wedding rings engraved?
Wedding rings can be engraved in three ways: by hand, by machine, or via laser engraving. Hand engraving is a traditional method, so you may prefer that, but it can produce imperfect results. However, that imperfection can add to the charm and uniqueness of the engraving. Machine engraving involves using templates to trace during the inscribing process but it comes with limitations, such as which fonts can be used for the engraving. Many people prefer laser engraving, which offers the most flexibility. With laser engraving, any kind of wording or image can be engraved onto your wedding rings.
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It’s really nice to see some different styles!! Also, thanks for sharing these wonderful wedding ring ideas for unique engagement rings.
Wow, what a fantastic blog post on unique and inspiring wedding ring engraving ideas! As a newlywed myself, I found this article incredibly helpful and inspiring. It’s amazing how a simple engraving can add such a personal touch to a wedding ring and make it truly special.