What Hand Do You Wear Wedding Rings On & Why?

A bride placing a wedding ring on a groom’s left hand

Why are wedding rings on the left hand? Our customers ask us this question a lot, so we’re here with answers! 

As a company that’s famous for making some of the world’s most unique wedding band styles, we love helping customers celebrate this exciting chapter in their lives. Understanding the origins of marital traditions is a way to really embrace this once-in-a-lifetime experience and recognize the profound meaning behind the ceremony. If nothing else, it’s great conversation material for the reception!

Here’s everything you need to know about why we wear wedding bands on the left hand.

Exchanging Jewelry Is an Ancient Custom

What hand do you wear wedding rings on? Well, the quick answer is the left hand, although that’s just a tradition and not a rule. Plenty of people choose the right hand because they’re left-handed or simply prefer it. Now that you know what finger, let’s dive deeper into why.

The act of exchanging jewelry to symbolize a deep bond between two people has long been a prominent custom in many cultures spanning countless centuries. It’s believed that this practice originated in ancient Egypt, although one can easily imagine that even the earliest humans expressed affection by gifting handmade trinkets.

Why are wedding rings on the left hand? The ancient Romans believed that there was a single vein that ran from the left hand’s ring finger directly to the heart. They called this vein vena amoris, which is Latin for “vein of love.” Naturally, the ring finger was the clear choice for wedding rings!

The Non-Dominant Hand Is Practical

A person placing a wedding ring on a right hand

Regardless of tradition, some people choose to wear their wedding bands on their non-dominant hand. Unlike other types of jewelry, a wedding band is an everyday accessory that’s rarely removed. It’s important that it doesn’t get in the way when performing daily tasks. 

What hand do you wear wedding rings on if you’re left-handed? Some choose the right hand, while others don’t. It’s all a matter of personal preference and how it feels comfortable to you!

Find Your Dream Wedding Band

Whether you choose your left or right hand, you want your wedding band to fit your one-of-a-kind personality and style. That’s why we offer a wide variety of modern rings that boast distinctive designs and exotic materials, as well as innovative comfort-enhancing details.

Our stunning styles include genuine Gibeon meteorite rings, men’s antler wedding bands, opal wedding rings, and many others. We even have matching unique his and hers wedding bands

Ready to make the right (or left) choice? Explore our contemporary men’s wedding bands and women’s wedding bands.