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How Much to Spend on a Wedding Band or Ring

Finding the perfect wedding band to match your engagement ring at a great price

By Michael Fried,
As imple white gold wedding band with an elegant diamond in the center
As imple white gold wedding band with an elegant diamond in the center

Somewhere in the planning process, you need to determine how much to spend on a wedding band. As with every detail—from your venue to your flowers—you need to decide how much of your budget to spend. 

A large percentage of people go with a ring like this from Blue Nile which goes for under $200 (depending on the metal). But some people may drop 5 digits on a show stopper like this ring also from Blue Nile.

Review our guide to learn about the average cost of wedding bands and what to consider when buying a wedding bands. We’ll also provide inspiration with the best wedding bands for various wedding band price ranges.

Average Cost of Wedding Bands in 2019 – Male and Female

In 2019, the average wedding bandcost for males was $510 and the average cost of a female wedding band was $1,100. According to the Brides’ American Wedding Study, wedding bands on average made up three percent of a couple’s wedding budget. Engagement rings made up 14 percent of the wedding budget.

How much should a wedding band cost?

Wedding band prices range from $180 to $2,000 and higher. The cost of wedding bands depends on the precious metal, the setting design, the number of diamonds and where you buy the ring. For example, this classic 14K white gold ring from James Allen is $240 while this micro pave diamond ring also from James Allen costs $1,080. Esentially, you don’t have to spend a whole lot on a wedding bad. It depends on what you like and what your priorities are. Mila Kunis got hers from Etsy for $90 and she wouldn’t change a thing.

14K WHITE GOLD MICRO PAVE DIAMOND WEDDING RING
Micro Pave Wedding Band

How much should you spend on a wedding band?

How much you should spend on a wedding band depends on a few factors, like your preferred setting style and wedding budget. Opt for a ring you’ll love wearing for years and that’s reasonable for your wallet. Here are 5 things to consider when buying a wedding band.

1. Rings that complement each other

Many couples want their rings coordinate so they look like a pair when side by side. For instance, you might both choose rose gold for your rings. Or you might opt for rings that feature similar designs, like this Princess Cut channel set for women from Blue Nile, and this one for men also from Blue Nile.

Petite Micropavé and Classic Wedding Rings in 14K Yellow Gold
Petite Micropavé and Classic Wedding Bands in Yellow Gold

Blue Nile even offers couple rings that are designed to match each other.

Some couples, though, don’t care about coordinating with their spouses. They might have a white gold ring and a yellow gold ring that aren’t similar in design.

Talk with your spouse-to-be to determine if you want your rings to complement one another. This will help with choosing styles and determining the cost of your wedding rings.

2. Wedding bands that match the engagement ring

Because an engagement ring is usually picked out first, it’s important to find a wedding band that matches. For females, the cost of a wedding band can be as high as $2,000 or more. Finding a wedding band that coordinates is time and money well-spent. 

For example, if your engagement ring is white gold, your band should be white gold as well. Consider the thickness of your band and ensure it doesn’t overpower your engagement ring. Choose a simple band without diamonds or include diamonds to add more brilliance. You can use tools like Blue Nile’s Wedding Band Matcher to pair your engagement ring with the right wedding band.

Some people keep their engagement and wedding bands separate, while others solder the two together. The choice depends on your personal preference and how the rings fit together. Soldering them might prevent the rings from spinning and getting out of sync with one another.

You can also match his and hers wedding band. Check out our guide on how to do that in this link.

Round Cut Engagement Rings for Inspiration (Click a Ring for More Information)

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3. Durability

Your wedding band will be worn every day, so be sure it holds up. 14K and 18K gold and platinum are popular precious metals for wedding bands. 14K gold is the most durable and the least expensive. 18K gold has a higher percentage of gold in its mixture and is more like to scratch, but is still durable enough for everyday wear. Platinum is the most expensive option and is more durable than gold but also requires more maintenance.

Tungsten Carbide Wedding Ring by Blue Nile
Tungsten Carbide Wedding Band

Titanium and tungsten carbide are popular for men’s wedding bands. Tungsten carbide is extremely durable and scratch-resistant. Titanium is very durable, but still can be scratched like gold or platinum. Both titanium and tungsten carbide are in line with gold wedding band prices and are sometimes even cheaper than gold. See more about wedding band metals in our guide.
All wedding rings need proper care, like regular cleaning and polishing.

4. Style

How your ring looks and feels to you is the most important element. If you’re into classic styles, you might want a petite milgrain ring like this one from Blue Nile. If you want something unique, you might opt for a twist micropavé wedding band like this one also from Blue Nile. Your wedding band symbolizes your love and commitment to one another. It also showcases your personal style.

The most popular wedding band material for women is white gold and tungsten for men.

Our guide to Men’s Wedding Bands will help you pick the right one.

A channel set wedding band
A channel set wedding band

5. Your overall wedding budget

How much to spend on a wedding band depends on your wedding budget. There isn’t a wedding band cost rule. On average, couples spend three percent of their budget on wedding bands. For example, if your wedding costs $25,000, three percent would be $750.

You might decide you want to spend five percent of your budget on rings, and a little less on dessert or music. Each couple has to decide how to breakdown their wedding budget. Discuss with your fiancé how much of your budget you’d like to put toward rings. De Beers came up with the idea of spending 2-months salary on an engagement ring which you shouldn’t take seriously. The same applies to wedding bands. Don’t spend more only because someone is telling you what’s the “right” amount to spend. Find an amount you both feel comfortable with.

Best Wedding Bands – Female

The best wedding bands for women range from simple bands to decorative diamond-studded rings. Here are the top wedding band designs for each wedding band price range.

$500 or less

Accent Diamond Ring from James Allen
Accent Diamond Ring

$500-$750

Half Round Wedding Band from Brian Gavin
Yellow Gold Band

$750-$1,000

Dot Dash Diamond Ring by Blue Nile
Diamond Ring

$1,000+

Pavé Crossover Wedding Band
Pavé Crossover Wedding Band

Best Wedding Bands – Male

The best wedding bands for men include those made of tungsten carbide and white gold. No matter your budget, you can find vintage designs and modern styles. Check out these top choices for men divided by wedding band prices.

$400 or less

Wedding Bands by Blue Nile
Tungsten Wedding Band

$400-$800

Wire Finish Wedding Band by James Allen
Wire Finish Wedding Band

$800-$1,200

Men's 3 Satin/Shiny Edged Wedding Band
Wedding Band

$1,200+

Monique Lhuillier Matte Textured Engraved Wedding Band 18k White Gold
Matte Textured Band

For help in selecting wedding bands, reach out to our experts.

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What we love about them:
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About the author

Michael Fried Michael Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.

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