Start thinking about wedding bands around six months before the wedding, order them by about three months before, and have your engagement ring checked and cleaned in the final month. Gifts for the wedding party and parents can be ordered alongside the bands, so everything is ready well before the day.
In short: choose bands early, allow time for shaping and engraving, check your engagement ring a few weeks before, and collect everything before the final week.
Six months before
Begin looking at wedding band styles. If you want a band shaped to sit flush against your engagement ring, bring the engagement ring to the first conversation. Decide on metals; many couples match their engagement ring metal so the two wear evenly together. Our guide to engagement rings that sit well with a wedding band explains which designs pair easily.
Four to three months before
Order your bands. Bespoke or shaped bands take longer than plain ones, so this is a sensible point to confirm the design. Decide on engraving, such as your wedding date or a short message inside the band. Order any gifts for the wedding party, such as cufflinks for groomsmen or earrings for bridesmaids, so they can be engraved too.
Photo: Walter Ipiña via Pexels.
Two months before
Check your ring sizes again, ideally at the end of the day when fingers are at their usual size. Fingers can change slightly with the seasons and with weight, so a quick check avoids surprises. Confirm delivery or collection dates for your bands and gifts.
The final month
Have your engagement ring checked and cleaned. A jeweller can check the claws are secure and polish the ring so it shines in photographs. Collect your bands and try them on together. Decide who will carry the rings on the day and how, and keep them somewhere safe until then.
If you are marrying abroad, carry the rings in your hand luggage and keep a note of their value for insurance.
Gifts for parents and the wedding party
Many couples give parents a small piece of jewellery as a thank you, such as a pendant, cufflinks or a bracelet engraved with the date. Bridesmaids might receive earrings that suit their outfits, and groomsmen might receive cufflinks or a tie pin. Choose pieces they will wear again, and allow time for engraving. Wrap and label each gift, so they are easy to hand out on the morning.
Keeping a simple list
A short checklist helps: band styles chosen, sizes confirmed, engraving agreed, gifts ordered, engagement ring checked, rings collected. Tick each item off as it is done, and share the list with your partner or a trusted friend, so nothing is forgotten in the busy final weeks.
Insurance
Add your wedding bands to your insurance once you have them, and check that your engagement ring is covered for its current value. Keep receipts and any grading reports together in a safe place. If you travel for the wedding or honeymoon, check that cover applies abroad.
The week of the wedding
Keep the rings in their boxes and hand them to the person who will carry them the day before. Pack a small cloth to give the rings a final polish before the ceremony. Our bespoke design page explains how bespoke bands are made, crafted by specialist goldsmiths, if you would like something made to fit.
Frequently asked questions
When should I order wedding bands?
By about three months before the wedding, and earlier for shaped or bespoke bands.
Should I have my engagement ring checked before the wedding?
Yes, a check and clean in the final month makes sure the claws are secure and the ring shines.
When should I buy wedding party gifts?
Order them alongside your bands, so there is time for engraving.