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A wedding band is a symbol of love, commitment, and unity and a reminder of the person you’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with. While a plethora of couples commemorate their love and marriage with a wedding band, it’s not for everyone and there are plenty who opt out of having one.
If you’re not planning to have a wedding band, there are countless other ways to showcase your love for one another. In this article, we’ll go through our top 15 picks for wedding ring alternatives.
1. Tattoos
There are a variety of options when it comes to getting matching tattoos to symbolize your love. They’re a highly popular alternative and most couples get a tattoo around their ring finger, where the wedding ring should be.
If you don’t like the idea of getting a circle tattooed around your finger, you can always get a tattoo of your partner’s name, the wedding date, or a phrase from their vows.
2. Piercings
A piercing can be considered edgy or in some cases cultural. For example, in India, it is a common practice for the groom to give his spouse a nose ring instead of a wedding ring. The pro around piercings is they aren’t intrusive, and you often forget they’re even there. You don’t have to go through the hassle of removing the wedding band every time you have to do something that could damage it.
You and your partner can pick out piercings for each other or you can even opt for the traditional circle design to symbolize the endless circle of love.
3. Stars
As mentioned earlier, the circular shape of a wedding ring is a symbol of the infinite nature of love and how it endures throughout life. Stars, on the other hand, live for a long period of time and are reborn after death.
So why not opt for exchanging stars as a symbol of the infinite nature of your love? Show your loved ones how much you love them and how much they mean to you by registering a star in their name. Every time they go outside and have a look at it, they’ll be reminded of your enduring love. You can register your star right here.
4. Gemstone or Crystal
Every gemstone has its own meaning and symbolism. Although gemstones look pretty and have auras that have to align with those suited, they’re not for everyone. It’s a common practice for couples to exchange crystals that represent their partner’s characteristics or even their own. For this to have meaning, your partner has to have an understanding of these delicate pieces and an inclination towards spiritual representation.
A bonus, gemstones, and crystals are said to have strengthened marriage bonds on a spiritual level. If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, this isn’t the one for you as it can be costly depending on the type of gemstone, its size, and purity.
5. Engraved Wallet Cards
Engraved Picture Wallet Card by CMT Impressions. See it here.
Engraved wallet cards have become an increasingly popular alternative to wedding rings over time and it’s now a lot easier to find them online. They’re like debit or credit cards and are made of metal most of the time. You can get a laser-cut message with a special date or other minute details you want to include.
Some sellers can create a quote on one side and on the other, they imprint a black and white picture of the couple. Now you’ll always have a picture of your spouse with a message or your wedding date. You can include anything you want, so it’s time to get creative!
6. Tree Sapling
The concept behind this is to pick a tree together (usually the partner’s favorite plant) and gift it to each other. It’s better to choose a tree that bears fruit so you can watch as it grows and then enjoy the fruit the way you want once it matures.
The tree symbolizes the resilience present in a relationship and the hard work and effort needed in order to ‘cultivate’ the bond. A plus point is that it adds character to your lawn and will be a constant reminder to persevere and weather any storm that you may come across in your life together.
7. Engraved Pens
Laser Engraved Metal Pen by Custom Design Shop UK. See it here.
A pen initially sounds like a somewhat cheap alternative for a wedding ring. However, it’s also regarded as a symbol of permanence and strength in a relationship. Quite a lot of people have a favorite pen, and this is true for individuals whose profession involves a lot of writing.
Pens can be engraved or designed according to what you like. Although it is a cost-effective option, it certainly isn’t cheap and the bonus is that you can personalize it according to your and your partner’s preference.
8. Framed Wedding Certificate
Modern Wedding Certificate by Editable Template Shop. Check price here.
A popular alternative to the traditional wedding ring is framing your wedding certificate. Frames vary in shape, size, and design and there are many options you can choose from.
However, you should note that some frames are cheaper in quality and prone to breaking. The price depends entirely on what type of frame you opt for and the quality. You can find frames in a wide range of prices from $10 to $100 or even more.
9. Photo Albums
Printed Photo Album by Stori UK. See it here.
Exchanging albums is one of the many ways you can demonstrate your love. This option is more popular among couples who are either photographers, are naturally photogenic, or even those who just enjoy taking photos to capture special moments.
The album can be filled with special pictures you have taken so far, and you can continue to add more as you embark on this journey together. The only downside to this alternative is that you will have to store it carefully to prevent it from any damage. However, it’s still a cost-effective and personal way of expressing your love!
10. Couple’s Watches
Couples Wooden Watches by Mishka IL Designs. See it here.
Many modern couples opt for watches over wedding bands and there are several reasons for this switch including the low cost and functionality. However, some couples also opt for watches that cost far more than wedding bands. Watches can be customized and engraved, making them a symbol of timeless love.
11. Bracelets
Diamond Leaf Bridal Wedding Bracelet by Bell Box Boutique. See it here.
Bracelets are an excellent alternative for people who dislike wearing wedding bands or cannot wear them. The pro is that they come in a variety of materials, giving you more options to choose from. Some bracelets consist mostly of beads or knots which symbolize infinite love while others are engraved with names and dates, to make them more personal.
12. Ring-Holding Necklaces
Owl Wedding Ring Holding Pendant by Alora Locks. See it here.
This is an ideal alternative for those who have trouble wearing rings on their fingers. For example, if you want to wear your ring all the time but have it out of the way at the same time, a ring-holding necklace is a great choice.
The choice of material for the necklace is entirely up to you and your partner. You can even get custom pendants made with the wedding date or each other’s names engraved on them. The price for necklaces can vary greatly depending on the metal used and the amount of customization needed. The approximate cost can be anywhere between $20 and $100K or more.
13. Lock Your Love on a Bridge
The love lock bridge in Paris, France is extremely famous around the world for its almost ethereal quality. The concept behind the bridge is to write you and your partner’s names on a lock, lock it on the bridge and throw away the key. It’s meant to show that your love is everlasting, and nothing will ever be able to open that lock and separate you.
This isn’t the only love bridge to exist! After the news about the bridge went viral, other cities began creating their own love bridges. So why not find the love bridge closest to you and lock your love there?
14. Sponsor a Child or Animal
If you’re not interested in buying each other wedding bands, why not use that money to sponsor a child or animal instead? A wedding band can be quite expensive and can range from $1000 to $5000 per partner. Imagine how much that could help a child or family in need!
More inclined towards sponsoring animals? You can fund and sponsor an endangered species. It can also help abandoned or mistreated animals who need homes. Using that money for such a cause would symbolize your love and commitment to each other by ensuring the continuation of an endangered species.
15. Who said you need one?
This is quite an unconventional approach, but a suitable one for the couples out there who prefer not to pin their love and commitment to a material object or experience. There’s no rule out there that you HAVE to wear a wedding ring. If you and your spouse share a deep and personal bond that doesn’t need representation through material possessions, why wear anything?
Wrapping Up
This article contains our top fifteen picks on alternatives for a wedding ring depending on your preferences and budget. However, there are hundreds of other options you can go for if you want to get a bit more creative. As long as you’ve aligned your budget and motives according to the type of object or experience you want, you will have a symbol that represents your commitment and love for the rest of your lives.
