Ring Engraving: The Dos and Don'ts

Post Written By:Vanessa LaBeau

Wedding ring engraving is a deeply personal thing, but there are some tips to help you have the best experience doing it. Whether you've seen engraved rings for men and like the general look, or you wonder how you can improve upon the ring you've bought for your future wife, here are some dos and don'ts for ring engraving.

Image via Flickr By:likeablerodent

Do: KISS

Keep it simple, stupid. You don't have a lot of room to say what you want to say. Yes, men's engravable rings usually give you a little more real estate to work with, but still… not much there. Wedding ring engraving is about improving upon what is already timeless, so something simple like the wedding date, a single word (Always, Forever), or, even a small image work perfectly. That quote you heard the drunk guy behind the bar say last Friday night? Not so much. And please, no memes.

Don't: Use Inside Jokes

I once had a friend who engraved (granted, on his girlfriend's necklace charm… not a wedding ring) Remember the Burrito. Apparently they'd had a burrito somewhere in Texas and thought it was funny at the time. The problem was, she thought it was less funny than he did, didn't remember it ever happening, and thought he'd given her a second-hand necklace. Here's the thing… like a tattoo… this thing is forever. Don't ruin it with something that, at 80 years old, you're going to barely remember. This doesn't mean you can't be creative, but if you had one thing to tell your soul mate every day for the rest of his or her life, would it really be your version of Remember the Burrito?

Do: Get Creative

We've all been to the traditional weddings, and some not-so-traditional weddings. Getting married is a deeply personal thing, and for some that means an hour-long mass, and for others a quick trip to Vegas. Remember who you are when you get a wedding ring engraved. If you're funny… be funny (but appropriate). If you're traditional, be traditional. Just because you've chosen a simple I love you for your ring doesn't mean you can't have it engraved in a particular style.

Don't: Make It a Surprise (if you're going to take a chance)

This might be a personal preference, but there seems to be too much risk if you decide to engage your fiance's ring without his or her knowledge. One of three things are likely to happen. One, your fiancé loves it and think's you're the greatest person ever. Two, your fiancé wishes he or she had had the chance to get yours engraved too. Three, and, granted, the worst case scenario, they wonder what in the world you've done to their once beautiful ring. Also, if you're going with something a little edgy, maybe run it by your fiancé first.

An Extra Don't: Let Anyone Tell You How To Be You

It may seem a bit hypocritical to say in an article about what to do when engraving a wedding ring, but don't let anyone tell you what to engrave your wedding ring with. It's a deeply personal thing, and everything I've written to this point has been more about general guidelines than anything. Who knows, maybe your Remember the Burrito works for you. Maybe when you're 80 one of you will say it loud enough for the hearing aid to catch it and you'll both start laughing until you've fallen and you can't get up. Maybe the fact that you surprised your fiancé with Elvish script a la Lord of the Rings was exactly what they never knew they wanted. Wedding ring engraving is about you.