Everything You Need to Know About Engraving Your Wedding Rings—Plus, 60 Ideas to Inspire Your Own

Customize your jewelry with a special inscription only you and your partner will understand.

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Updated on July 11, 2024 09:10AM

silver and gold wedding bands with custom engraving — Getty Images

In This Article

The Cost of Engraving Wedding Rings When to Engrave Your Wedding Rings

How to Engrave Your Wedding Rings Wedding Ring Engraving Ideas

Having your wedding ring engraved with a secret message is the ultimate way to personalize an already unique piece of jewelry. Why? There’s something incredibly romantic about a personal message that only you and your partner know about, whether it's the inscription of a special date, two initials beside each other, or a phrase that only you and your love will understand. It's no wonder why this custom has been around for centuries (dating back to medieval times), with couples choosing to engrave their most beloved pieces of jewelry with religious quotes and sweet vows stating their devotion to each other.

But while choosing to engrave your wedding rings is a lovely way to make your piece feel one-of-a-kind, the process can feel a bit intimidating. After all, you don’t want to choose the wrong inscription or do something that could potentially change the way your jewelry looks. So, to help reduce any nervousness you may have, we spoke with jeweler Madeline Fraser to share everything you need to know about engraving your wedding rings—plus, a comprehensive list of the most popular ring engraving ideas you'll love.

Meet the Expert

Madeline Fraser is the founder and CEO of the "try-before-you-buy" jewelry site and app Gemist.

The Cost of Engraving Wedding Rings

Your rings might have been pricey, but the good news is that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get an engraving done. “Engraving is relatively affordable,” says Fraser. “It all depends on the character count of what you want to be engraved. The average cost ranges from $50 to $100, and most rings accommodate between 15 to 30 characters.”

When to Engrave Your Wedding Rings

If you know you want your rings engraved before you get engaged, let your jeweler know before purchasing this piece of jewelry. According to Fraser, “Engraving happens at the very end of the manufacturing process, so you have time to think about what you want your engraving to say while your rings are being made.” Nonetheless, if you do decide to get your rings engraved after you've bought your pieces (or even after the wedding), don't fret. It's still possible to get your wedding pieces customized with a phrase after it's been made—just be prepared to split from your rings for a little bit.

How to Engrave Your Wedding Rings

Fraser notes that most jewelers will laser engrave rings, as it's the easiest and safest option for jewelry. “It’s a very precise and fast process using a pencil-sized laser beam,” she explains. “The strength of the laser changes based on the type of metal.”

In other words, this is a straightforward, quick method that shouldn't harm the integrity of your jewelry. This also means that the most difficult part throughout this entire process is coming up with something special to inscribe, especially since you may only have 30 characters to use. Luckily, we have a few ring engraving ideas for you, as highlighted below.