With wedding costs spiralling out of control, 21% of couples are taking out loans and credit cards and one in nine newlyweds admit to almost breaking up over their strained wedding finances.  The study of over 1,000 couples highlights the shocking average figures spent on catering, entertainment, the perfect venue and attire.  The honeymoon tops the list with an average cost of £3,582, and the wedding rings make number 4, with British couples splashing out up to £1,856 on sentimental jewellery.

The certified online shop Bay Rings is a budget friendly supplier of wedding jewellery, catering to bride and grooms-to-be who choose not to sacrifice their happy marriage for the sake of one day.  With most couples forced to borrow money for the wedding from family, friends and banks, it means many Brits start their married life in a lot of debt.  The honeymoon period of a marriage, thought to be the happiest time of a persons life, is spent worrying and arguing about finances instead of showing love and building a life together.  Some couples in the survey even admitted to selling items they were given from their gift list, or the bride’s dress for some much needed cash after the big day.

Modern couples planning to get hitched are now forced to be more thrifty and creative than ever before, introducing a homemade wedding trend.  From crafty home-produced invitations and wedding favours, to asking family or friends bake the cake, couples are using all means available to significantly cut the wedding budget.  This includes looking at less expensive alternatives for flowers, outfits, entertainment and the rings.  The wedding jewellery market is brimming with rings promised to last a lifetime at a cost to match; established family business Bay Rings provides a unique, more affordable selection of high quality wedding jewellery for couples determined not to break the bank on their big day.

A spokesperson for Bay Rings, says “Bay Rings are committed to providing high quality, premium wedding rings at a low cost to couples planning a wedding.  The cost of most wedding suppliers are soaring at a time when many households are struggling, so we know that saving for a wedding can be extremely tough; especially for young couples.  Our selection of the finest gold, diamond and platinum wedding rings are fairly priced, to leave more budget remaining for other costly elements of a wedding.

In addition, our convenient online shop offers an easy and reliable way to purchase the wedding rings, with free delivery straight to the customer’s home.  Bay Rings takes the stress and unnecessary expense out of searching for and purchasing the wedding rings.”

Getting married is an exciting and memorable milestone in any relationship. And the best part? Choosing the rings! Yet with the huge number of jewellers out there and an even bigger range of rings on offer, it can be a difficult and confusing process.  We take a look at the pros and cons of some of the most popular metals to help simplify the information and make your decision easier.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is the most conventional of wedding band choices and hugely popular for its beautiful yellow tones. Some people are also exclusive yellow gold jewellery wearers and therefore the metal is a given for their wedding ring material. It is relatively affordable and can be easily resized which is a major upside for wedding rings that don’t quite fit! Its soft composition also means it can be easily engraved with romantic scripts. However this also doubles as a downside, its softness making it easily subject to scratches so if you expose your hands to heavy duty activities on a daily basis then it may not be the best choice for you.

White Gold

White gold is made by adding an alloy of white metals such as silver, nickel, palladium and platinum to yellow gold in its pure form. This gives it a notably lighter colour similar to silver and significantly increases its hardness making it a far more durable option for those who have their heart set on a gold wedding ring. To complete the process, the white gold alloy is coated with rhodium plating. While this gives it a gleaming ‘white’ sheen it will gradually wear away over time and need simple yet regular maintenance.  The addition of nickel can also be an issue for some allergy sufferers.

Platinum

Platinum is the metal of choice for couples wanting to make a statement. The precious naturally white metal is a luxurious and highly fashionable option with the added bonus of being hypoallergenic, making it perfect for sensitive skin. Its major upside is its durability, the hard metal being scratch resistant and extremely resilient. Unlike most metals it doesn’t tarnish and can restored to a beautiful shine simply by polishing it. However these benefits don’t come without a price… Platinum rings are not for those on a budget!

Titanium

Titanium is a great option for couples on a looking for an economical wedding ring option. It is extremely heavy duty, scratch resistant, hypoallergenic, lightweight and low maintenance, making it ideal for wearers who are hard on their hands. While its durability is a bonus for some, it also means that titanium rings can’t be resized and are virtually impossible to engrave or craft into intricate designs. As such titanium ring designs are generally quite simple and understated.