Your wedding ring is a symbol of your marriage and the commitment you make to your partner. The unbroken band – with no beginning or end – represents eternal love, and the hole in the middle represents a gateway or door to the future. With all this in mind, buying a wedding ring is a pretty big deal! But should you shop for rings in store or online? We outline the pros and cons.

Tradition

Shopping in store is traditional, and has the obvious benefit that you can try the rings on and decide the right style, colour and fit. Lots of stores will be able to adjust rings to fit perfectly, and the store assistant may even be able to suggest alternative styles or materials that would suit you better than what you had in mind. Stores are full of individual and designer rings, and you can even get something second-hand, vintage, or bespoke.

Price

This is the big one! In store prices can be up to 20% more than you would pay online. Although a sales person will be able to negotiate a discount there and then, you still might end up paying more for the ring than you would online.

Convenience

Shopping online is super convenient – you can browse to your heart’s content and often pick up a fantastic bargain. But what you can’t gauge online is the heft and feel of the ring, and you might not be able to get a perfect fit.

Returns

It’s especially important to check the small print when you’re buying online to ensure that you can return the ring if it’s not right for you. You can spend a small – or large – fortune on a wedding ring, so don’t get stuck with something that’s not perfect. Some online jewellers will send pieces to a local jewellery shop, or even send sales reps to your home, so you can get the best of both worlds.

Your choice

It’s your wedding day, so the most important thing is what you want. Would you rather do the traditional thing, try rings on in person at a store, and let a sales person help you find the perfect fit? Or do you want the convenience and bargains that you can find online? Whatever you decide, we hope you’ll enjoy your wedding ring for a long time to come!