Are You Supposed to Buy Two Rings When Married?

When you walk into a jewelry store to pick out rings for your wedding, you might feel like you’re stepping into a minefield of unspoken rules. Should you buy two rings? Is it weird if you don’t? What if you already have an engagement ring-do you need another one? The truth is, there’s no law, no religious decree, and no cultural mandate that says you have to buy two rings when you get married. But there are plenty of reasons why most people do-and why some choose not to.

Why Do People Buy Two Rings?

The tradition of wearing two rings comes from a simple idea: one ring marks the proposal, the other marks the marriage. The engagement ring is usually more elaborate-a solitaire diamond, a halo design, maybe with side stones. It’s meant to stand out, to say, "I’m taken." The wedding band, on the other hand, is simpler. Often a plain metal band, sometimes with a subtle engraving. It’s meant to sit snugly next to the engagement ring, worn every day, unchanging.

This two-ring setup became popular in the early 20th century, especially after World War II, when economic growth made it easier for couples to afford two pieces of jewelry. Jewelers pushed the idea hard-advertising campaigns told women that an engagement ring wasn’t enough. You needed a wedding band too. And so, the double-ring tradition stuck.

In Australia, where most weddings are small, modern, and personal, the two-ring norm still holds strong. Around 85% of couples who marry in Melbourne buy both an engagement ring and a wedding band. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only way.

What If You Already Have an Engagement Ring?

Here’s where things get messy. A lot of people assume the engagement ring becomes the wedding ring. It doesn’t have to. Many brides wear their engagement ring on the left hand, then slide the wedding band on top of it during the ceremony. Others switch them around-put the wedding band closer to the heart, with the engagement ring on top.

But what if you don’t want to wear two rings? What if your engagement ring is chunky, heavy, or just not something you’d wear every day? That’s totally fine. You can wear just the wedding band. Or you can have your engagement ring resized and turned into your wedding band. Or you can skip the wedding band entirely and wear your engagement ring as your only symbol of marriage.

Some couples even choose to wear matching bands-no diamonds, no fuss. One couple I spoke to in Fitzroy, who got married in 2023, both wear simple titanium bands they bought online for $120 each. "We didn’t need a diamond to prove we loved each other," they told me. "We just needed to show up."

Are There Cultural Differences?

Yes. And they matter.

In many European countries like Sweden and Denmark, it’s common to wear only one ring-the wedding band. Engagement rings aren’t a big deal there. In parts of Eastern Europe and Latin America, it’s traditional to wear both rings on the right hand before marriage, then switch to the left after the ceremony.

In some cultures, men don’t wear rings at all. In others, men’s rings are just as important as women’s. In Japan, it’s not unusual for couples to wear matching plain bands. In India, men often wear a simple gold ring on the fourth finger of the right hand, while women wear elaborate bangles and a toe ring along with their wedding band.

So if you’re marrying someone from a different background-or if you’re just not into Western traditions-you’re not breaking any rules. You’re honoring your own.

What About Budget?

Let’s be real. Engagement rings cost an average of $5,000 in Australia. Wedding bands? Around $1,500. That’s $6,500 before you even think about the honeymoon or the venue.

Many couples are choosing to cut that cost. Some buy one ring and use it for both purposes. Others buy secondhand rings. A growing number are choosing lab-grown diamonds or alternative metals like titanium, tungsten, or even wood inlay bands.

There’s no shame in spending less. In fact, more couples are saying: "We’d rather save for a house than a diamond." And that’s a smart, modern choice.

What If You’re Remarrying?

If you’ve been married before, the rules change again. Some people skip the engagement ring entirely. Others wear their first wedding band on the right hand and the new one on the left. Some choose not to wear any ring at all.

There’s no pressure to follow tradition here. If you’ve been through a divorce, remarriage should feel like a fresh start-not a repeat of the past. A ring is just a symbol. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t wear it.

What’s the Real Purpose of a Wedding Ring?

At the end of the day, a wedding ring is meant to be a quiet, daily reminder. Not of status. Not of wealth. But of commitment. Of "I’m here. I’m yours. I’m not going anywhere."

It doesn’t need to sparkle. It doesn’t need to cost thousands. It doesn’t need to be two rings. It just needs to mean something to you.

Some people wear their rings every day. Others take them off to work, to swim, to sleep. Some keep them in a box and wear them only on anniversaries. All of it is okay.

The real question isn’t "Should you buy two rings?" It’s: "What feels true to you?"

Common Myths About Wedding Rings

• Myth: You must buy two rings. Truth: No one legally or spiritually requires it.
• Myth: The engagement ring is "more important." Truth: The wedding band is worn daily-it’s the one that lasts.
• Myth: Men don’t need rings. Truth: Over 70% of grooms in Australia now wear wedding bands.
• Myth: You can’t wear your engagement ring after the wedding. Truth: Most people do. That’s why stacking is so popular.
• Myth: You need to spend 2-3 months’ salary on an engagement ring. Truth: That was a De Beers marketing tactic from the 1940s. It’s not real.

What to Do If You’re Unsure

If you’re stuck, try this:

1. Ask yourself: "What do I want to feel when I look at my hand?" Peaceful? Connected? Celebrated? Free?
2. Look at rings you already own. Do any of them feel like "the one"? Sometimes, the right ring is already in your jewelry box.
3. Try on both a plain band and a more ornate ring. See which one you reach for when you’re not thinking about it.
4. Talk to your partner. Not about money. Not about tradition. Just ask: "What does a ring mean to you?"
5. Remember: Your wedding day is about your love. Not the jewelry.

Final Thought

You don’t need two rings to be married. You don’t need a diamond. You don’t need to follow what your mother did, or what Instagram says is "perfect."

What you need is to show up-honestly, openly, and without pressure.

Wear one ring. Wear none. Wear three. Wear them on your right hand. Wear them on a necklace. Wear them in your pocket. It doesn’t matter.

The only thing that matters is that you meant it when you said "I do."