How Much Should I Spend on a Wedding Ring?

Jewelry shopping can be intimidating. That’s why we started Ask Holden, our blog where we answer your FAQs, break down scary industry lingo, and guide you in finding the perfect piece of jewelry.

According to research done by The Knot, Americans on average spend ~$6,000 on engagement rings, ~$550 on men’s wedding bands, and ~$1,400 on women’s wedding bands. While you may have heard from your Uncle Bob* that you’re supposed to spend 3 months' salary on the engagement ring, there's fortunately no hard rule or expectation for how much you should spend on a wedding ring.

The short answer is: the decision is completely up to you and your partner! Your financial situation is fully your own, so average cost shouldn't influence your decision-making process. One of our core philosophies at Holden is that your wedding ring should be 100% personal. Don’t worry about any sort of calculated averages, antiquated notions of how much you should spend, or engagement ring and wedding band rules. We believe you and your partner should get the wedding rings you’ll be excited to put on each morning, not the one you think will live up to anyone else’s expectations.

Not to, you know, put a shameless self-plug in here or anything, but we *will* say that our rings are fully customizable, sustainably made with recycled precious metals, and direct to you (so no designer markup). A less expensive ring that’s just as high quality is, in our minds, a great value and wise choice. Save some money on your ring and save up for your honeymoon (if you choose to take one)!

Anyway, all Holden plugging aside, the decision about how much money to spend on a ring is ultimately a personal one. What’s most important is choosing a ring you’re excited to wear every day - nobody ever has to know the price tag but you.

*I know at least eight people with uncles named Bob. I need to know more about this phenomenon! If you have information on possible Uncle Bob conspiracy theories, DM me ASAP.

Questions? Give us a shout at help@hiholden.com or a ring (pun intended) at 646.722.6817.