A wedding band is a ring exchanged during the wedding ceremony, symbolizing marriage and lifelong commitment. You can learn more in our Wedding Band Guide.

The main difference is when they are given, an engagement ring is typically given during the proposal and a wedding band is normally exchanged during the marriage ceremony. Another key difference is that engagement rings typically feature a prominent diamond or gemstone, while wedding bands don't generally have a similar focal point.

The price of wedding rings varies greatly, with simple bands costing as little as a couple hundred dollars and more extravagant rings costing as much as tens of thousands of dollars. But the price tag of a wedding band isn't as important as how it makes you feel. Exquisite wedding rings can be found at any price, and how much you should spend depends on your budget, preferred metal and embellishments.

A wedding ring set includes an engagement ring plus matching his-and-her bands for the groom and bride. Jewelers typically distinguish between a wedding set and a bridal set, which does not include the groom's ring. Outside of the jewelry world, most people use the term wedding set or couples rings.

One of the final steps in choosing a wedding band is deciding if you want to engrave the inside of the ring. Common engravings include initials, wedding dates, meaningful phrases, or short quotes that hold sentimental value. For more ideas and engraving policies, read our Ring Engraving Guide.