Wedding Resources - Is it traditional to have a wedding band along with the engagement ring?

Is it traditional to have a wedding band along with the engagement ring?

I have the engagement ring, but is it a big tradition to have a wedding band given at the wedding or can I just use the engagement ring? Money is mainly the issue..

Public Comments

usually the wedding band and engagement ring are different, the band being more important than the engagement ring
I know a lot of women who waited until their 5th anniversary to get a wedding band due to money issues.
Yeah it is traditional, that's what shows that you are married and not just engaged. Wedding bands are actually a lot cheaper than engagement rings. Just get a simple gold, white gold or w/e band to go along with it...
Yes it is. Actually, the wedding band is MUCH more important since that is what is given during the ceremony. An engagement ring is more or less advertising for an upcoming event. Some rings come in a set where the engagement ring and the wedding ring fit together to form a single unit which looks really cool, but is significantly more expensive than separate rings. If money is really the issue, put what you have toward the wedding rings and consider skipping the engagement ring.
It is traditional, yes. However, I know plenty of women who wear their engagement ring as their wedding ring, too.
If you already have the engagement ring then I would still suggest that you get a wedding band BUT it can be as cheap as possible if you have a financial crunch. Doing it this way will show that you do in fact love her but at the same time you are showing some financial constraint to where you don't want to start this new life hugely in debt.
In some European countries, the wedding ring is the same as the engagement ring and changes its status through engraving and the change of the hand on which to wear it.
It is traditional, but if your budget is really that tight, why not consider a silver wedding band? You can get them for less than $20.00. http://netayajewelry.stores.yahoo.net/4syr739-00.html http://netayajewelry.stores.yahoo.net/4syr0955-01.html And though I can't find any inexpensive silver bands on Walmart.com, I do know that my local Wal-Mart has some very expensive silver bands. Also, check out eBay. Sometimes you can find great stuff there! (Just investigate seller's history and feedback thoroughly.) Oh, and even though the wedding band is more important than the engagement ring, don't listen if people tell you that means it needs to cost more. Most wedding bands cost far less than engagement rings, so there is no reason to feel bad about having a small budget for your band. Best of luck!
It is tradition, but I've seen alot of weddings where they just use the engagement ring and the groom has a band. If you do that then you'll have a bit of extra money for the venue, or dresses, etc.
you should have a wedding band at your wedding - a "ring exchange" is a part of the wedding service. you can always buy a simple, matching gold bands, and upgrade it later, they are usually pretty affordable & even have them at WalMart
you can get a plain band from walmart for about $30. i would just get one of those, it is a tradition but that ring has so much meaning.
you can but wedding bands for very cheap. http://mdcdiamonds.com/WedAnRingsRe.cfm?Cat=WWB
I'm actually having the SAME problem!! My fiance bought my a Platinum engagement ring. So I would "like" to buy a platinum wedding band. Only thing is just a band without any diamonds costs about $1,500!! So now I'm thinking about getting white gold. But even then I think it's ridiculous to spend too much money on a ring. I rather spend it on the wedding and maybe have money after!! ha ha... I am most likely going to buy a ring now and Then worry about the ring I want to wear after our 5th anniversary or even our 1st. Many couples actually buy an anniversary ring and wear that instead. It's totally your choice but I'm looking into getting a band that I can just wear instead of with the engagement I found that trying to match is also expensive!! Good luck and hope you have a great wedding!! :)