Why wear a wedding ring?

It was said that the circular shape of the wedding ring symbolizes never-ending love. According to folklore, the ring was to protect the bride against evil spirits; if the bride or groom dropped the ring during the ceremony, bad luck would be with them forever. In the beginning, rings were made of rushes, hemp, or braided grass, which has to be replaced every year. Early Romans chose more durable iron to symbolize the permanence of marriage.

Back then, gold was very popular, but more expensive, symbolizing lasting beauty, purity, and strength. In ancient Egypt, before coins were minted, gold rings were used as currency and as a symbol of the groom's wealth and his intention to wed. To show that he trusted his wife with his money, the Egyptian husband placed a gold ring on the third finger of her left hand.

Only one ring was worn, until the 13th century. The declaration of Pope Innocent III that a waiting period was to be observed between betrothal and marriage led to separate engagement and wedding rings. The first recorded account of a diamond engagement ring was in 1477, when Maximilian I, King of Germany, proposed to Mary of Burgundy and offered her a diamond ring to seal his vow.

Photographs by: Gloria Mesa Photography