Should you buy your Engagement Ring and Wedding Ring at the same time?

Committing to forever with your partner? There’s nothing quite like it. As you enter the next chapter of your love story, one of the biggest decisions is what to do about the engagement and wedding rings. That brilliant engagement ring seals the promise, while your wedding ring becomes the ultimate symbol of unity and commitment on your special day.

You’ll be wearing them side by side for a lifetime, so the real question is: should you buy both your engagement ring and wedding rings at the same time? Or should you space out these two monumental purchases?

Continue reading as we answer for you below - helping you choose a strategy that’ll bring you the bridal set of your dreams.

Your Proposal to Wedding timeline 

Firstly, when deciding whether to buy your engagement ring and wedding ring together - it’s important to have an idea about how long you wish your engagement to be. Are you planning a quick elopement a few months after the proposal? Or are you planning your wedding to happen in 1, 2 or even 3 years after?

Once you’ve decided the amount of time you wish to have between the proposal and your wedding day - keep in mind that most couples begin shopping for their wedding rings three months before the big day. Factoring this into your wedding planning can help you consider the right timing. A custom-made diamond ring typically takes around 4-6 weeks to craft. While we can often complete it sooner at Janai, this ensures you have the fullest range of options and, most importantly, avoid any last-minute stresses.

Most couples' engagements will last between 12 - 24 months before their wedding day. However, there are no set rules. Everyone's circumstances and priorities are a little different - and it's always a thrilling and exciting time in life for couples figuring out these plans! Discussing the future and how you’ll plan your lives together to decide when is the right timing for getting engaged and getting married will be different for everyone - and will affect when is the right time to purchase the wedding ring!

Discover more: What to prepare for an Engagement Ring consultation

Bridal Set Versatility

At Janai we certainly recommend you do consider your future wedding band during the engagement ring design process to ensure you end up with the bridal set you desire. The reason behind this is that it will offer you the most design variations and flexibility with style, giving you many options for when the time does come!  By considering both your engagement and wedding rings at once, you open yourself up to greater personalisation options and discover which rings are the most versatile choices that can seamlessly pair with almost any wedding band. It also offers the greatest versatility for adding intricate details, such as hidden halos or peekaboo diamonds, that can add personality and complement your wedding band.

For example, choosing a higher set Engagement Ring such as a solitaire style (where a single centre diamond sits prominently elevated above the band) will allow the most variations of wedding band designs to pair. Whereas a lower set ring, or more elongated diamond shapes can potentially restrict the wedding band pairings in the future. 

For this reason, it's vital you consider the future pairing in the engagement ring shopping process. You don’t want to miss out on your dream wedding ring because it can’t fit together with your engagement ring. It’s a simple problem to avoid with a little forward planning - and our diamond consultants will advise during your consultation of any future limitations that may affect the wedding band options.

Metal choices impacting future Wedding Ring Options 

Aesthetics aside, considering both the engagement ring and wedding ring at the same time and the choice of metals are also important factors for wearability and longevity. You’ll want to match the metal of your engagement ring to that of your wedding band to ensure both a long lifespan and durability over time. If you choose an 18ct gold engagement ring, you’ll have to stick to an 18ct gold wedding band. Similarly, if you choose a platinum engagement ring setting, you’ll need to pair with a platinum wedding band in the future. So your precious metal should be chosen thoughtfully. 

Although both 18ct gold and platinum metals are luxurious, pairing them as a bridal set isn’t advisable. Due to their differing hardness levels and wear rates - when worn together it can lead to scratches and dullness on each other's surfaces. Platinum is a denser, more malleable metal than gold. For a long-lasting pairing, it’s best to match metals of the same durability.

See more: Metals for Engagement and Wedding Rings at Janai Jewellery

Creating harmony in your Bridal Set

Even though it’s not necessary to buy both rings at the same time, it’s highly beneficial to think ahead. Opting to purchase your engagement ring and wedding ring together allows you to guarantee the rings will sit flush next to each other, avoiding any discomfort or gaps between the two. At Janai, we specialise in creating engagement rings that are designed to perfectly fit alongside your wedding band, ensuring a seamless, harmonious look. At Janai, we craft all of our rings to allow for a wedding band to sit flush next to your engagement ring without any spaces in between.

If you wait until after your engagement to think about your wedding band, you may find that certain design features—such as a flush fit between the two rings—might not be possible or limit your style choices. Choosing your wedding band early can help avoid these challenges and ensure that both rings form a harmonious pairing to create a stunning bridal set.

Read further: Wedding Band Ideas - 4 Different Styles to Pair with your Engagement Ring

Timing is Everything 

Diamond rings can represent significant financial investments. So, it’s perfectly reasonable to space out your purchases. Especially If your wedding isn’t for another year or two, and the rings will be sitting inside your jewellery box until the big day! This approach is not only practical - it can ease the strain on the budget and still allow you to choose rings you truly love and are exactly what you envisioned. By waiting in between and allocating finances thoughtfully, you give yourself the opportunity to explore a wider range of styles, settings and guarantee you find the perfect wedding ring that resonates with you.

It also provides you with ample time to consider your wedding ring design. As you contemplate how these two pieces will complement one another, factoring in choices such as style, metal choice, and diamond setting. This is where planning ahead can make a huge difference.

The Bottom Line 

So, when you’re creating your engagement ring in Melbourne, should you be buying your engagement ring and wedding ring together at the same time? The short answer is no, you don’t need to. However, while you don’t have to buy your engagement ring and wedding ring at the same time, we do recommend considering them both together to ensure your bridal set is everything you’ve dreamed of.

By thinking ahead, you’ll have more flexibility in design options, metal choices, and a better chance of achieving the seamless, comfortable fit you want for your rings. This way, planning for both rings together ensures that your wedding band won’t feel like an afterthought but instead like a perfectly crafted piece that complements your engagement ring. To be tailored exactly to your desires, it’s advisable to plan ahead.

Whether you're looking for engagement rings in Melbourne or planning your full bridal set, our expert team at Janai can help guide you through the process from consultation to the final product. An engagement ring and wedding ring as symbols of commitment are more than just pieces of jewellery, they represent the promise of a lifetime together. 

Take the first step towards customising your perfect engagement ring in Melbourne today! Fill in your details below to request your consultation at Janai, discuss your vision and let our expert team bring your dream diamond rings to life.