Shopping for wedding rings is more complicated than buying engagement rings for one simple reason. While aspiring fiances only need to buy one engagement ring, couples who plan to wed need to buy two wedding bands. There are plenty of options out there, so don’t settle for anything but the best. Read on for five tips to find the perfect wedding ring before starting the search.

1. Set a Budget

It’s always wise to set a clear budget before picking a wedding ring. Walking into a jewelry store with no budget in mind is a great way to wind up disappointed. Shopping online makes pricing easier to navigate and helps to ensure that every couple can find wedding rings that fit their personalities perfectly without driving the new family into debt.

Some people assume that buying wedding rings on a budget means they won’t have many options. In reality, there are plenty of affordable rings made out of high-quality materials, and many online jewelers will even customize wedding bands to suit their customers’ needs.

2. Consider Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors can help to influence couples’ decisions about what types of wedding rings to buy. If one or both members of the couple do a lot of work with their hands, for example, tungsten or titanium rings are a good choice because they don’t scratch easily. Couples who work desk jobs don’t have to worry as much about scratching up their rings, so they have a wider range of options when it comes to metals.

3. Shop Together

While most men buy engagement rings before they propose to their sweethearts, engaged couples should shop for wedding rings together. Shopping together is the best way to choose bands that both partners will love. It can also be a deeply enjoyable shared activity that can strengthen couples’ relationships and create lasting memories.

Busy couples may have an easier time shopping together if they buy online. Not everyone has the time to visit multiple jewelers to find the perfect rings, but online retailers make it easy to view a wide variety of wedding bands. Just schedule a time to sit down together and evaluate options.

4. Shop Early

Most experts advise couples to start looking for wedding bands at least three to four months before their wedding dates. There’s a lot of planning involved in creating the perfect wedding ceremony, so things can get hectic as the big day approaches. Choosing rings well in advance takes some time, and there’s no reason to put it off until the last minute when it will become an added stressor instead of an enjoyable celebration of the couple’s upcoming life together.

5. Incorporate Personal Style

Every couple has a different style. There’s no need to go traditional when both partners have more modern taste in jewelry. Before choosing rings, take a look at the jewelry already in the bride’s collection, or the groom’s if he wears rings, watches, or other pieces. The wedding bands should complement both partners’ unique, personal styles, not clash with them.

Start Shopping Now

Couples who are looking for the perfect wedding rings shouldn’t put off getting started another moment. There’s much to be gained by starting the search early, and nothing to lose. Check out some online jewelers, look at what’s available, and start brainstorming about what factors will be most important when choosing wedding bands now to avoid disappointment or frustration later.