Most people choose something short and personal: the wedding date, a partner's initials, a first name or a single sentence that means something to the two of you. The engraving is almost always placed on the inside of the ring, so it's only visible when the ring is taken off, and the space there determines how much can fit. A slim ring band typically has room for around 15-25 characters, while a wider ring can hold more. The most important thing is therefore to decide what to include before the ring is sent for engraving, because the text cannot be changed afterwards without grinding down the inside.

Below we go through the most commonly used texts, what fits, and what's worth checking before the ring is engraved.

The most commonly used texts on a wedding ring

The wedding date is by far the most common. It's short, unambiguous and easy to fit, and it ties the ring to the very day you were married. The date is most often written as day, month and year, but some shorten it to just day and month to save space.

Initials are the other classic. Many engrave their partner's initials, either alone or together with a small symbol such as a heart or a plus sign between two sets of initials. First names are also used if there's room, and a single first name takes up considerably less space than two.

A short sentence or a single word is the more personal route. It could be a promise, a pet name, a line of your own or a phrase that means something special to you. Here it's wise to keep it tight, because the longer the text, the smaller each letter becomes on the narrow inside.

Some couples combine two things - for example, their partner's initials and the date. That works fine, as long as the overall text is kept within the available space.

How much space is there on the inside?

The space depends on the ring's width and on the font size. A narrow ring allows fewer characters than a wide one, and a fine, closely spaced script allows more than a large, clear font. As a rule of thumb, a simple text like a date or a couple of initials should always be able to fit, while a whole sentence requires the ring to be wide enough.

If you want to include a longer text, that argues for a wider ring band. Wider rings are found among the more striking models, and signet rings with their wide, flat band typically have plenty of room for an engraving.

If the ring has stones all the way around, like an eternity ring, there's often less smooth metal to engrave into. That's worth keeping in mind if that particular type of ring is at the top of the wish list. See the selection of eternity rings if you're considering a ring with diamonds around the band.

Should you engrave symbols or only letters?

Letters and numbers are the easiest and take up the most predictable amount of space. Symbols such as hearts, infinity signs, crosses or small figures are possible, but they count towards the space in the same way as a letter. A single symbol between two initials is popular and works well, precisely because it's short.

Fingerprints, handwriting and musical notes are a more advanced form of engraving, where a personal imprint or a line in your own writing is set into the metal. It's not standard everywhere, so it's a detail you should ask about before deciding.

In general, hold back on filling in too much. A clean, simple engraving is easier to read many years from now than a crammed inside.

First name, initials or pet name - what do people choose?

The choice between your partner's full first name, initials or a pet name is mostly about space and about how personal the text should be. A first name is clear and easy to read, but takes up more room. Initials are discreet and fit almost any ring. A pet name is the most private choice and often says more about your relationship than a formal name.

Some choose to engrave their own initials or name in their partner's ring, so each ring carries the other's name on the inside. It's a simple way to make the two rings into a set, without it being visible from the outside.

Should both rings have the same text?

There are two common ways to do this. Either the same text is engraved in both rings, typically the wedding date, so the rings match. Or the partner's name or initials are engraved in each ring, so the text is mirrored between the two.

Both work, and the choice is personal. If you choose the same date in both rings, it becomes clear that they belong together. If you choose each other's names, you literally carry the other with you. If the rings are to be bought as a matching set, it can be nice to see them side by side in the selection of selected wedding rings before the decision about engraving is made.

Is it the wedding ring or the engagement ring that you engrave?

Both can be engraved, but they're often used for different texts. In the engagement ring, some engrave the date of the proposal, while the wedding ring gets the wedding date. If there's only one ring, everything is naturally gathered there.

It's becoming more and more common to have two rings - an engagement ring and a wedding ring - and then the engraving can be split between them. If you're unsure what distinguishes the two, this guide goes through what is the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring the differences. If you want to stick to classic gold, there's a full selection of gold wedding rings.

What should you check before the ring is engraved?

Check the spelling, date and order one extra time. An engraving cannot be corrected afterwards without grinding the metal, and a wrong date or a swapped letter is annoying to discover later. Read the text aloud, and by all means ask the other person to read it through.

Also make sure the ring size is right before ordering the engraving. If the ring later needs to be made larger or smaller, it can affect the inside text, so it's an advantage to have the size sorted first. If you're unsure, this guide on how to measure ring size can help you find the right one.

Finally, think about how long the text should last. A date and a name say the same thing in ten years as they do today, while a very time-specific phrase may come to feel different later. A short, simple text is rarely something you regret.