Most old-fashioned and long-standing rules about wedding and engagement jewellery no longer exist. Today, you can go traditional or risky; select matching pairs or completely mismatched items; opt for classic and delicate or unique and outlandish. Whatever you feel best represents your personal fairytale is yours for the taking.

But if you're uncomfortable when wearing your wedding jewellery, that's an issue you must address. One of the more common dilemmas that modern brides face is in finding a wedding band to fit flush against the existing engagement ring.

Though we said that rules don't really apply, a few traditions do hold fast. One is for the wedding band to sit beneath the engagement ring, closest to the heart. With this arrangement, uncomfortable gaps can occur when the engagement ring setting and stone clash with the solid band below. The good news is that there are a few easy solutions to this pinchy problem.

OPTION 1. Shaped Ring

The Bellis Ethical Diamond Engagement Ring paired up with the Diamond Coronet Ethical Ring

As you work with your partner to choose an engagement ring or drop helpful hints as to the styles you prefer, maintain a sharp eye for jewellers, like us, that offer bespoke bands to comfortably fit your chosen engagement treasure.

Flush-style rings are usually shaped rings. They're designed and skilfully crafted to follow the contour of your engagement ring, leaving no gaps between the two jewels. If executed correctly, both rings will complement each other so seamlessly they almost appear merged, creating one flawless look.

OPTION 2. Raised Setting

The Altair Ethical Diamond Engagement Ring

Many contemporary jewellers boast raised setting engagement rings in their collections. The defining characteristic of these rings is that the central gemstone is elevated away from the band. This lack of intrusion from the stone means that a straight wedding band can be comfortably placed underneath and sit flush to the engagement ring.

You can find jewellers who can create a raised setting engagement ring or modify the setting of an existing ring to ensure there's space for a future wedding band below. The latter would require them to simply raise the stone's setting away from the band slightly. 

Unfortunately, this kind of setting tends to protrude a little, catching on fabric and hair. If you work with your hands, raised setting engagement rings can also prove a little uncomfortable.

Remember: Your Wedding Ring Doesn’t Have To Match Your Partner's

Lastly, remember that you can opt for a wedding band that is entirely different from your partner's if that allows your rings to work perfectly together. In fact, mismatched rings is a growing trend, with many couples choosing a rather masculine band of titanium or platinum for the groom and an elegant ring of diamonds for the bride.