Photo by Laura Totten

As the web’s top groom website, we get a lot of questions from guys who are clueless about wedding bands. More often than not, they’ve never bought or worn a piece of jewelry in their lives.  Here are a few of the most common questions we get and the quick answers that should help calm the nerves of the grooms out there.

Should my wedding band match my wife’s wedding band?

Getting matching wedding bands is not a requirement. Many newlyweds choose their rings based on personal preference and not on whether it matches the other. It’s often difficult to find a set of bands that match each other so we recommend finding a style you like rather than pushing yourself to find a matching set that one (or both) of you may not love.

How many months before the wedding should we start looking at wedding bands?
It’s not a bad idea to take a peek at the wedding bands when you’re shopping for the engagement ring. By no means do you have to buy that far out, but it’s good to know what’s out there for the men. Most couples have their rings picked out and ordered 3-4 months before the wedding day. This allows ample time for re-sizing.

How do I measure my ring size?
Luckily for you guys, this is a very simple process. Grab a scrap piece of paper and put it around your ring finger. Make a small mark where the ends meet and then grab ruler and determine the length from the edge of the paper to where you made your mark. From there, check this guide to determine your ring size:

1 13/16 inches = Size 4
1 15/16 inches = Size 5
2 and 1/16 inches = Size 6
2 and 1/8 inches = Size 7
2 and 1/4 inches = Size 8
2 and 5/16 inches = Size 9
2 and 7/16 inches = Size 10
2 and 9/16 inches = Size 11
2 and 5/8 inches = Size 12
2 and 3/4 inches = Size 13
2 and 7/8 inches = Size 14

TheManRegistry.com is an online resource for grooms and is the internet leader in grooms’ wedding information. The centerpiece of the website is a specialized wedding registry featuring wedding gifts tailored toward grooms. Included in the thousands of products you’ll find at The Man Registry are barware, electronics, tools, logoed sports items, and groomsmen gifts. The company also recently launched a local vendor directory which gives grooms an outlet to connect with local wedding vendors.

Now assuming you aren’t getting married in Las Vegas, you’ll have a big pile of cash the day after the wedding and you’ll be faced with a question: “What should we do with it?” There are two obvious options: bank it or spend it.

Option 1: Bank It

If you’re conservative, this presents a great opportunity to start a joint savings account or another type of investment. The money could go towards start retirement fund, buying stock, or saving for a down payment on a house. There’s really no going wrong when you’re saving for the future.

Option 2: Spend it

An equal number of other couples will put their wedding cash towards the honeymoon. This is not a bad idea as it allows you to save the cash you would otherwise be spending on dinners, drinks, excursions on your honeymoon. The cash you rake in can also go towards buying gifts that were not purchased off of your wedding registry.

TheManRegistry.com Recommendation:  We think the safest bet is doing a little of both. Let’s say you get $2,000 in cash gifts. Why not put half of it in the bank (or other investment) and use the other half as “mad money” for the honeymoon. This gives you the comfort of knowing you’re saving, but also allows you to kick back and enjoy a few extra mojitos on the honeymoon.

Cheers.

TheManRegistry.com is an online resource for grooms and is the internet leader in wedding advice for men. The centerpiece of the website is a specialized wedding registry featuring wedding gifts tailored toward grooms. Included in the thousands of products you’ll find at The Man Registry are barware, electronics, tools, logoed sports items, and groomsmen gifts. The company also recently launched their official blog, GroomsAdvice.com, which gives grooms an outlet to read, share, and laugh at unique wedding experiences.