Picking out a wedding band is a huge deal. After all, it’s not every day you choose something you plan to wear daily for the rest of your life. Plus, wedding band shopping is a once-in-a-lifetime activity, so we don’t usually come to it with much practice under our belts. But don’t stress, band shoppers, because QALO is here to help you figure out how to choose a wedding band that’s completely and totally true to you. Get Some Wedding Band Inspo — It sounds obvious, but it bears emphasizing: Don’t go shopping without a general idea of what you’re looking for. Pinterest, Instagram, fashion magazines, perhaps even the styles rocked by your fave celebs? These are all great places to look when you’re entering the ring-buying process. And just because you have general ideas doesn’t mean you need to commit to anything — switch your tastes up as you go and be sure to keep an open mind! Think Beyond the Basic — Who says you have to be married to (pun intended) a precious metal ring? These days, silicone wedding rings are a popular and sensible alternative because they’re a lot more go-with-the-flow. They’re inexpensive, comfortable, hypoallergenic and stylish, so they make the perfect stand-in for your metal ring. They’re also a great all-around option for people who aren’t huge on traditional jewelry. Picture Yourself *Actually* Wearing It — This one’s huge. Just because you love the way a certain ring style looks doesn’t mean it’s suitable for your lifestyle, including your specific hobbies or profession. For example, if you work in construction or heavy machinery, it isn’t a good idea to wear a rigid metal ring. Your employer may even outright ban it, as jewelry is to blame for many devastating workplace injuries. Pick as a Pair — Can’t decide where to start? Ask your partner. Perhaps the two of you have similar tastes and want to create a cohesive ring pairing that suits you both, together and independently. If the matching idea doesn’t appeal to you, no sweat. Although you’re getting hitched, you’re still entitled to your own sense of style, and when you plan to wear something daily for the rest of your life, you should really love it! Mix and Match and Stack — Matching not your thing? That’s OK, too! In fact, these days, the mismatched and stackable wedding band trend is everything, and we are huge fans. The ladies can create a unique mismatched, stacked style by pairing their engagement ring with a wedding band in a different width, style or even color. Customize It — In addition to the style, shape, color and design of your ring, you can further customize it to your liking with a special engraving. Start with a customizable wedding band and then add your own individual flavor. Your initials, wedding date, song lyrics or words from a poem can help make even simple, basic bands extra special. Go Classic — If you’re not the trend-following type — or even if you are, but prefer not to have a trendy ring — focus on the classic. There are so many simple, traditional approaches you can take with wedding bands, from the timeless beveled edge wedding band for guys to the classic pave styles for the ladies. Classic means it will never go out of style, so you’ll want to wear it well into the future. Consider Your Allergies — Have you ever felt pain, discomfort or itchiness when you wear a certain piece of jewelry? That may be because you have a nickel allergy. Nickel is one of the most common metal allergens and, unfortunately, it’s in a ton of jewelry, even expensive silver and gold. Obviously, you need a ring that’s going to be as comfortable as possible to wear 24/7, so be sure to pick something that won’t trigger your allergies. Silicone is hypoallergenic and safe for people with sensitive skin. Take Your Time One important piece of advice: Start looking early. While you definitely shouldn’t stress too much about the process, wedding ring shopping can take time. Not only does it involve hours and hours mulling over different options, but sizing and customization can add a few weeks to the schedule. Make sure to get a head start and don’t rush yourself through the process!