Destin Wedding Band season is in full swing! The Emerald Coast has become an increasing popular venue for weddings for both locals and visiting brides seeking a magical wedding. With such a variety of options to inlcude resorts, parks, hotels…and of course the beach, our area is one of the hottest destination wedding sites. With all of the exchanges of wedding rings, we thought that you may be interested in a brief history this tradition that symbolically declares eternal love for each other.
Oscar Heyman Wedding and Anniversary Bands
The devotion of love with a wedding band has an interesting history. Historians primarily believe ancient Egypt started the tradition most like our modern wearing of a wedding band, although the exact history is not known. Imagery on artifacts from 3000 years ago, such as papyrus scrolls, reveal an ancient culture that exchanged rings braided from reeds and hemp as a symbol of endless love between a man and a woman. It was also the Egyptians who wore wedding bands on the ring finger of their left hands. This tradition is based in the belief that this finger held a special vein directly connected to the heart. As this concept was passed down to other cultures over time, it was eventually coined by the Latin term vena amoris or “vein of love”.
Henri Daussi Bands
The Ancient Romans had several types of marriages categorized by social class. Confarreatio was the only legal form of marriage at that time and was reserved for the elite class. At the time of marriage, the groom would present his bride with an iron ring (leading to the tradition of metal wedding bands). Unlike the Egyptian wedding ring symbolizing love, historians believe that the Roman bands were symbols of possession – the wife now belonging to the husband.
Kwiat Four Row Woven Diamond Band
There have been a wide variety of cultural variations though out history. A few of the more interesting are as follows from the Loupe and shared by JTV.
“Puzzle Rings - Centuries ago in the Middle East, a man would give his wife a puzzle ring. This complex piece of jewelry was several rings, that when worn together correctly, formed one cohesive band. Faithfulness was the idea behind this design. It was believed that if a woman took off her ring, she would not be able to put it back on. Therefore, her husband would know she'd been unfaithful.
Gimmel Rings - The gimmel ring was popular in Europe during the 1500s and 1600s. Somewhat built like a puzzle ring, its design was meant to signify marriage and unity. Typically, it was comprised of two interlocking metal bands. After becoming engaged, a bride and groom-to-be would each wear one. Then at their wedding, the couple would reconnect their bands and form one ring for the bride to wear.
Poesy Rings - A poesy is a poem or ballad, which makes the name of this style highly appropriate. Very popular during the Renaissance, a poesy ring was an engraved sterling silver band. The inscription was typically a love poem or other expression of love.
Thimbles - In the early days of Colonial America, a groom would give his bride a thimble. Not very exciting! However, it seems that was the point. The trend started with Puritans who felt jewelry was frivolous. The thimble was acceptable because it was a practical item. Many women would eventually remove the tops of their thimbles, making them bands.”
Benchmark Wedding Bands
The double-ring ceremony, the giving of rings to both partners is a relatively new tradition with roots in the United States. In the late 19th century there was an attempt by the American Jewelry Industry to market wedding bands for men. The initiative failed due to the ineffective marketing campaign. The impact of World War II made the campaign more success with up to 80% of weddings having double-ring ceremonies by the late 1940’s.
As the area’s premier source for engagement rings and wedding bands, McCaskill & Company is honored to play such important part one of the most special moments in a couple’s life. Today your wedding band can be just as unique as you are. Wedding bands in platinum, gold, silver, or alternative metals – all with or without diamonds are available from our bridal designers to include Henri Daussi, Kwiat, Oscar Heyman, David Yurman, Daniel K, Benchmark, Samuel Jewels…and of course our McCaskill Signature Collection. You have the option of being a part of designing your own wedding rings as well. You are invited to drop by our gallery, located between Destin and Sandestin, to enjoy our bridal collections.
