After years of domination in the wedding ring market by classic white gold and contemporary platinum, titanium is seeing a rapid increase in popularity. Though platinum still edges it out as the wedding ring material of choice, titanium is seen as an up-and-coming alternative that offers quirky couples a less traditional option.

A spokesman for Bay Rings says, “We’re definitely noticing increasing interest in our titanium wedding rings – they’re incredibly budget-friendly, they’re durable and hardwearing, but most of all, they’re just as beautiful as the coveted platinum and white gold rings that have always been so popular. Our range of titanium wedding bands can be customised and amended to fit any couple’s desire, and this ring material is fast becoming the premier choice for those wanting to make a real style statement with their marital jewellery.”

With titanium rings from Bay Rings starting at an incredible £21.95, they are perfect for the increasing number of couples that are planning weddings on small budgets. Recovering from a recession and trying to get on the property ladder means that wedding budgets nowadays have very strict limits, and this has been a key factor in the rise of titanium as a wedding ring option. To buy a beautiful pair of matching rings and still have change leftover from £50.00 is something of a godsend for couples trying to minimise the cost of their nuptials.

Titanium is also incredibly versatile. Although it’s renowned for being a strong material, it can also be manufactured in a wide variety of styles – think inlaid metals, different polishes and the ability to set gemstones into the metal. It’s much lighter than other metals, which makes the wedding rings super comfortable to wear, and it’s biocompatible with almost all types of human skin, meaning those with sensitive skin can wear their ring with pride, without fear of rashes or irritation as a result.

With its new, coveted status, titanium is enjoying a moment in the spotlight – and for good reason. The attractive material is stylish and fashion-forward, it’s durable enough to last for decades and it’s cheap enough to incorporate into almost any wedding budget. Men prefer titanium jewellery to the more feminine white gold, and it’s gentle enough on skin to be suitable for all skin types. When it comes to choosing a wedding ring material, it seems that the buying public are onto a winner!

When Jolene Riley asked her boyfriend Ben McDowell to bring her back a penny from Afghanistan as a sentimental gift, she got more than she bargained for. Ben turned an authentic Afghan coin into a beautiful ring in a touching gesture that saw the two get engaged immediately. Now Bay Rings, the leading custom ring retailers in the UK, are speaking out to more couples in order to encourage them to create their own personalised, individual rings ahead of the big day.

A spokesman for the company, which specialises in gold, silver, titanium and platinum wedding rings, says, “The heartrending gesture from a serving soldier to his girlfriend was a wonderful example of how custom rings can be more meaningful and powerful than standard shop-window style pieces. At Bay Rings, we can personalise rings by offering engravings and a range of different stones in order to make a ring truly personal and unique to a couple. We’re speaking out to all men wondering how on earth they’re going to find a special ring for their ideal woman – we urge them to get creative and allow the ring to do the talking for them!”

Bay Rings is the online subsidiary of a well-known jewellery provider – their online-only store means that they can pass on incredible cost savings to their customers. Rather than spending thousands on custom rings, customers can reduce their outlay to just a few hundred pounds, for a high-quality personalised ring that will stand the test of time.

Their selection of rings is expansive; from platinum bands to the more intricate Russian and Celtic rings, there is a wide selection to choose from. Each and every ring can be customised with engravings that come in a multitude of different fonts; whether you want something bold and traditional, or a more contemporary, elegant script, Bay Rings delivers. There is also the possibility of adding hearts, double hearts, arrow-pierced hearts and infinity symbols, to add a truly romantic touch to the band.

Taking their cue from the serving soldier, all men are now being urged to pour their heart into the creation of their future wife’s wedding ring. Whether they want to mould their own from a precious coin, or simply personalise it using Bay Rings’ value customisation services.

Visit the Bay Rings Facebook page for more wedding stories, ring-choosing tips and gorgeous rings to inspire you!

The couple, Greg and Sarah Lindsay, had their rings inscribed with a message personal to them, taking inspiration from the classic TV show, Friends. Their wedding bands were engraved with the message, ‘My Love, My Life, My Lobster’, in a reference to Ross and Rachel’s long-lasting love that endured the show’s ten seasons and beyond. But when Greg’s ring went missing on the beach in California, the two assumed that the band had been washed into the Pacific and they would never see the beloved piece of jewellery again.

In an incredible stroke of luck and fate, a woman walking along the beach just a few days later saw what she initially thought was a bottle cap. On approaching the item, she realised it was a wedding ring with a unique inscription, and she set about using social media to find the owners. Thanks to the unique engraving on the inside of the ring, the post went viral and just four days later Greg was reunited with his one-off wedding ring.

The story demonstrates that engraving a ring can have a myriad of benefits besides the sentimental touch. There are many situations where couples may need to remove their wedding ring – whether they’re at the gym, at a place of work or simply just getting in the bath – and having a personal message or unique touch added to the ring can help people to identify the ring  if they’ve removed them.

If a ring is lost, many people nowadays turn to social media in an attempt to be reunited with their most personal and precious jewellery. They often cite the ring’s special features in order to help people to identify it, but if the ring is purely generic with no unusual or individual characteristics, they may have trouble claiming their ring back if it’s found. By engraving special dates, quotes or meaningful lyrics on their rings, they give their jewellery a crucial identifier should it ever go missing, protecting and personalising their wedding band with one simple decision.

Summer is traditionally ‘wedding season’ in the UK, with August generally being the most popular month to get married. The summer sun, the school holidays and the fact that there is a bank holiday at the end of the month generally means that August is prime wedding time, and those who have chosen the eighth month as the time they will say their vows will already be deep into the planning process. But with venues to arrange, guest lists to finalise and menus to consider, the actual wedding rings are often written off as a one-day task which can be taken care of in an afternoon!

Au contraire, say the staff at Bay Rings – with so many choices regarding metal, style, stones, cut, carat and cost, choosing a wedding ring can be a very time-consuming activity. It’s important for couples getting married this summer that they pick out their rings in advance to avoid last-minute jitters about their bespoke wedding ring arriving on time.

A spokesman for Bay Rings says, “The time leading up to summer is often our busiest, and we urge all customers to get their orders in way ahead of their wedding in order to ensure that, by the time they are ready to say their vows, their rings are exactly how they imagined them. If purchasing a bespoke ring, it is always wise to leave plenty of time between ordering and delivery, as the ring has to be made up. What’s more, if you are unsure of your ring size and worry that you may need to send back a ring and order a replacement, which takes yet more time – time that many couples don’t have when they leave their rings as the last order of business!”

He adds, “Buying a budget-friendly ring early in the process also gives couples an idea of how much they have left to spend on a wedding, rather than having little to no money left at the end of the planning process for the all-important marital jewellery.”

Bay Rings have a comprehensive selection of wedding rings in various different materials and finishes on their site, and they also specialise in bespoke offerings that are personal to each couple.

Research has shown that 21% of couples struggle to pay for their big day, and are forced to take out loans, credit cards or borrow money from family.  The staggering cost of getting hitched is rising rapidly, leaving newlyweds unnecessarily starting their marriage in debt unless they sacrifice elements of their dream day.  However, budget wedding suppliers such as Bay Rings are offering brides and groom-to-be affordable wedding rings, without compromising on quality.

The certified online shop is a budget friendly supplier of wedding jewellery, catering to bride and grooms-to-be who are trying to keep costs down.  However, the online jewellery store goes much further in making the wedding planning process stress-free. By purchasing the wedding rings online, couples can enjoy the hassle-free ordering system and wait for their jewellery to be delivered directly to their door – absolutely free.

“We know how stressful it can be with so much to organise and coordinate for the big day, which is why we make purchasing your wedding rings as simple as possible,” explains a spokesman for Bay Rings.  “We assure you we offer the best value for money with out price beater guarantee, and then we allow you to sit back and relax while we deliver your rings at no extra cost.”

The established family business have been trading jewellery for over 60 years, but if customers need further reassurance before buying from the website Bay Rings offer a money back guarantee.  For 21 days after receiving the rings, if any couples are dissatisfied for any reason they are welcome to a full refund.

The Bay Rings spokesperson added, “As an online retailer, we do everything we can to put our customers’ minds at ease.  We are a trusted, certified jewellery company and have specialised in wedding rings for a long time.  We understand the level of quality that newlyweds expect, as these rings will be cherished for a lifetime.  With our affordable collection, free delivery and money back guarantee, our service is unbeatable.”

The website offers a variety of wedding rings in platinum, white gold, yellow gold and titanium, in addition to providing a bespoke design service.  For a more personalised ring, couples can design a customised piece of jewellery to give to their lover on their wedding day.

Why a circle? The circular shape of the ring is thought to be an ancient symbol of everlasting love, an eternal commitment that has no beginning and no end.

Engagement rings

The quintessential engagement ring is unarguably going to feature a diamond. Today the dazzling gem is one of the most sought after stones in the world. So what’s so special about this remarkable mineral? The word diamond is derived from the Ancient Greek word adámas, meaning ‘unbreakable’, making it a well suited symbol of eternal love. It’s also said that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds. Put two and two together and it’s no wonder that the diamond is the unanimous gemstone of choice for declaring undying love.

The history of the engagement ring dates back to the Middle Ages when marriage ceremonies were sealed with a diamond, the gesture considered reflective of the gemstone’s unbreakable properties. It’s thought to have made its debut appearance in 1475 when Italian lord, Constanzo Sforza presented his beloved Camilla d’Aragona with a diamond ring on their wedding day. The ring is said to have first been used as a symbol of betrothment in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, his wife-to-be. Today the romantic representation of the diamond engagement ring is more prominent than ever and remains a resounding symbol of love and devotion.

Wedding Rings

Wedding rings date back to ancient Egyptian times when water plants, rushes and reeds were braided together and used to make rings. As the tradition developed the delicate woven rings were replaced with more durable materials such as bone, ivory and leather and eventually metals. As their popularity grew the value of the ring material became intrinsically linked with the level of love and devotion shown to the recipient. It was not until around 860 that traditional gold rings were used in Christian marriage ceremonies.

The tradition of wearing wedding rings on the left hand ring finger is derived from the Roman belief that the finger was home to the ‘vena amoris’ or the ‘vein of love’, thought to be directly connected to the heart. While scientists have rained on the parades of hopeless romantics everywhere and proven the theory false, the romantic tradition has resounded and wedding rings continue to be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.

Nobody wants to have a similar wedding to a friend or a member of the family, but there are limited ways in which to make the wedding ceremony unique.  Moreover, many distinctive elements available such as live music or releasing doves are extremely expensive.  Most couples can’t afford these added extras when their budgets are already stretched to the max just by accommodating all their guests.

A special way to honour the wedding vows and ensure you have something exclusive to your ceremony is to design your own wedding rings.  While an extravagant wedding day is a priority for some people, the most important part of the day is the vows the couple make and the commitment to marriage.  The rings are the outward symbol of this love and commitment which you will wear forever; therefore we believe the wedding rings are one of the most important elements of a wedding and a marriage.

Wedding rings are cherished for eternity, so what better way to signify your love for each other than creating a bespoke ring? Knowing that you are the only couple in the world with those exact unique rings will reinforce your relationship and make your wedding day distinctive and special.  Designing your own bespoke wedding ring is:

• Personal and individual – you will be personalising your vows, wedding ceremony and long lasting marriage by creating your own individual wedding ring.
• Easy – rather than shopping around for months for your ideal design, simply describe to the jewellery the style of ring you would like.  Designing a bespoke ring is the easiest way to buy your perfect wedding jewellery.
• Affordable – purchasing a unique ring has a reputation for being pricey, but in fact it doesn’t have to cost any more than buying a normal wedding ring.  Budget jewellers Bay Rings provide an affordable bespoke ring service for couples planning on getting hitched, and guarantee to be cheaper than other providers.

For more advice and information about wedding jewellery, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Naturally, much of the focus on any wedding day will be on the bride’s wedding finger, but men often opt to wear a wedding band too – in fact, just 3% of grooms opt out of this tradition. Now Bay Rings are reminding couples all over the country that the groom’s wedding band should not be left until the last minute, pointing them in the direction of their custom ring design service to help make their love token more personal and unique.

A spokesman for Bay Rings said, “Men’s wedding bands often get overlooked in favour of the sparkly, diamond-encrusted women’s rings – but they’re just as important. The exchanging of rings is one of the most romantic parts of the wedding ceremony, and a wedding ring is most likely the only jewellery a man will wear in his daily life – so getting it right is tough! Luckily we offer a stunning range of men’s wedding rings in various different materials, and our custom ring design service can help men get the ring looking exactly as they want it before the big day comes.”

Men often prefer plain rings without too much decoration for their wedding band, and the Bay Rings collection delivers in every material. From unembellished titanium rings to streamlined and smooth platinum, men can have their choice of any bands they like, with the guarantee that they are investing in a low-cost ring that will be durable enough to last into the decades. Traditionalists can opt for gold wedding rings, and those that consider themselves more modern, forward-thinking men can even choose enamelled rings with a sleek embossed line or a pattern.

The custom option gives men the choice to personalise their rings further. They can have them engraved with special dates, words or other inscriptions, and they have full power over the ring’s overall appearance, from the finish to the size. If they see another, more expensive ring on the market that catches their eye, but want to have it created in a more budget-friendly fashion, they can send their ideas to the team at Bay Rings, who can source or create beautiful rings that match the demands of any budding groom.

• Carat – This is the standard term used for the weight of a diamond. Generally speaking, the more carats, the better!
• Clarity – This means the absence of internal inclusions and external blemishes on a diamond. These are ranked in ‘Grades’, and go from Flawless to Included.
• Colour – This may seem simple, but actually this term refers to the lack of colour in a diamond. The less body colour the diamond has, the more valuable it is considered.
• Court – Court-shaped wedding rings are curved on the outside and on the inside for a highly comfortable fit.
• Cut – The proportions, finish and symmetry of a diamond. It can also refer to the shape of the diamond (round, pear, oval, etc.) – more about this later!
• D-Shaped – These rings are flat on the inside and curved on the outside; often the cheapest type of wedding rings.
• Flat / Flat Court – Flat rings are entirely flat both on the inside and the outside, while Flat Court rings are the inverse of Court rings – flat on the outside and curved on the inside for a comfortable fit.
• Scintillation – It’s likely that the bride-to-be is going to be most preoccupied with the scintillation of her wedding ring. It means the reflections of light caused by a diamond’s movement – or, in other words, how sparkly it is!
• Semi-Mount – This is usually more relevant for engagement rings than wedding rings. It refers to a ring sold with only the side stones, allowing for the centre stone to be sold separately, accounting for size, shape and colour of the stone.
• Setting – This is where the diamond sits on the ring. The term also refers to the materials used to hold the diamond in place, also known as ‘blanks’ or ‘mountings’. There are many different settings – cathedral, prong, bezel, channel, bead and cluster, to name but a few.
• Shank – This is the part of the ring that encircles the finger.
• Solitaire – A single stone set on a ring. This is the most common type of ring, and shows off beautiful stones to perfection.

For more advice and information about wedding jewellery, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

1.   Quotes or Lyrics

Many couples will often say that there is a specific lyric or quote that means a lot to them as a married pair. Whether it’s from ‘their’ song, a line from a romantic movie, or even just a private phrase between the two of them, many people then choose to have this engraved on the inner side of their wedding ring, to make it truly personal and individual. Even if there isn’t a specific lyric or quote that you might get engraved, you can pick a poignant line from your wedding vows, or even just a generic phrase – ‘I Love You’ and ‘I Do’ are among the most popular.

2.   Birthdates or Birthstones

A marriage is an alignment of two people’s lives, so many people want to depict this by adding a symbol of their birth to their wedding ring. Some people get Roman numerals engraved to symbolise their birthday, whereas some prefer to use birthstones to give it an individual characteristic that is personal to them. If you want to get two birthstones set into the ring to symbolise both yourself and your partner, be sure that they don’t clash!

3.   Names

This one seems fairly obvious, and it’s one that we always suggest to our clients when they ask us what personalisation methods we could recommend. Nothing could be as simple as getting your new husband or wife’s name engraved on the inner side of a ring. If there isn’t room, perhaps some initials or a nickname, which would also be an intensely private and personal addition.

4.   Dates

If the idea of a birthdate doesn’t appeal, why not choose an anniversary instead? The first time you met? The date of your wedding? The first time you said ‘I love you’ to one another? Whatever your personal date indicates, it will be with you forever if it’s engraved on the inside of your ring – and there’ll be no excuse for forgetting this important anniversary!

5.   Children

Many people who get married already have children, and they want them to be as involved in the process as possible. After all, a wedding in this circumstance is not just about man and wife, it’s about uniting an entire family. Why not engrave your children’s birthdates on the inner circle of the ring, or get their birthstones added for the ultimate personal touch? That way the entire family is represented in a single piece of jewellery, a token not only of marital love, but also maternal or paternal devotion.