Wedding Bands: For the Bride

Perfect match
If you plan to wear your engagement ring with your wedding band, a simple metal or eternity (all-over diamonds) band are popular options. You can also have your wedding band custom-made to complement your engagement ring—this is a great way to tastefully add even more bling.

Double duty
If you never got around to buying an engagement ring or are looking to save some cash by purchasing only one ring or don't plan to wear your engagement ring often, opt for a more ornate diamond-embellished band so you can still enjoy some sparkle.

Lasting look
Choose a ring you'll feel comfortable wearing for decades to come. It is wise to avoid anything too faddish. There's a reason the classic option is classic: A simple band of metal really does go with everything.

The eternity band
This is a wedding ring that features diamonds around the circumference of the band. While many men give this style ring to their wife on an anniversary, many women select this style from the start.

Get colorful
White diamonds are traditional, but sprinkling your band with gemstones of another hue is de rigueur these days. Sapphires are a popular choice, but you can also get super personal and alternate diamonds with your birthstone.

Source: http://www.brides.com/wedding-engagement/engagement-rings/2010/06/essential-guide-wedding-rings-tips-and-trends

Wedding Bands: For the Groom

Made to last
Guys play tough, and their rings should too. Eighteen-karat gold, platinum (this one wins nine times out of 10) and titanium (if there ever was an indestructible metal, this is it!) are all durable metals that won't wimp out on him. Of course, if your man works construction, for example, common sense suggests he leave his ring at home.

Comfort is key
A wedding ring may be the only piece of jewelry some men wear, so the less obtrusive it is, the less he'll fuss over it. Ergonomic bands with rounded edges and surfaces are the most comfortable and agreeable styles.

Back to basics
When choosing a wedding ring, many guys go the safe route. This is why the single band is still the most popular style. (A matte finish is too—just beware: It shows scratches more easily and prominently than its shiny counterparts.) Men tend to stretch their style muscle by adding a small diamond—or, depending on the design, several—or by exploring different metal textures and finishes.

The bigger the better?
If trends are any indication, then yes! More and more men are opting for wider bands. Just keep in mind that size does matter: The ring should be proportionate to his body size—for example, a brawnier man would better carry off a wide band than would a guy with a lanky build.

Diamonds in the rough
Bedazzled bands are quickly becoming a guy's best friend—and there's nothing sissified about them. Diamonds that lie flush in the band (as in., channel or gypsy designs) are the most fashionable and the most securely set. And we're not just talking about white diamonds: Black and dark sapphire diamonds are a hot trend, offering a look that's still masculine and suitable for everyday wear.

Textured touch
Special metal treatments give simple bands stylish flair. Hammered metal is an increasingly sought-after look, and embellishments like filigree and etched or engraved patterns—even graphic motives (think Celtic, zodiac or sports—are another way to dress up a band and showcase individual style.

Trendy titanium
This tough guy is quickly catching the eye of many a groom-to-be—and surprisingly it's the metal's "cool" factor (think power tools and Lamborghini rims) that's most responsible for its appeal. Its extreme durability is just a bonus. Titanium's matte finish is also attractive to men who are unaccustomed to wearing jewelry.

Made to match
Complementary his-and-hers wedding rings are a sweet tradition many couples embrace. While the widths may vary, the bands often share the same metal and finish.

What's his style?
Is he a suit-and-tie office guy? Or does he spend much of his time in the great outdoors or playing sports? If it's the latter, then a ring decked with diamonds is probably too dressy a look for his jeans-and-tees wardrobe.

Get him involved
He'll be the one wearing this ring, so encourage him to speak up about his likes and dislikes when it's time to shop. It's in everyone's best interest for the ring to reflect his tastes—after all, you want to see it on his finger!

Get with the band
Unlike width, which can overwhelm a smaller hand, there's really no right or wrong ring shape. He'll want to try on several styles to determine which one is most comfortable. Here are some basic shapes, named after the cross-section view of the bands.

Round: curved on the inside and outside
D-shaped: curved on the outside and flat on the inside
Flat: flat on the inside and outside
Court-shaped: softly round on the outside and fully round on the inside
Easy-fit: flat on the outside and round on the inside

Source: http://www.brides.com/wedding-engagement/engagement-rings/2010/06/essential-guide-wedding-rings-tips-and-trends

Engagement Ring Trends

Colored diamonds
While most diamonds are shades of white, colored diamonds are a much rarer sort. They come in yellows, blues, pinks and the least common, red. Because of their scarcity, natural-colored diamonds (also called "fancies") cost a premium. If you've got money to burn, we say go for it. Heidi Klum dressed up her ring finger with a gorgeous 10-carat yellow diamond, codesigned by hubby Seal and jeweler Lorraine Schwartz, for her engagement.

Vintage looks
These styles are either genuine antiques or are crafted to look that way. While a lucky few may have an heirloom in their family, everyone else can purchase one from a jeweler specializing in estate pieces. Vintage rings often are etched with filagree designs, feature period (such as art deco) detailing and have particular old-fashioned handwork and settings. If you're opting for the new old look, you're not alone: Katie Holmes received a distinctly Edwardian engagement ring from Tom Cruise.

Bezel diamond setting
A bezel setting keeps the diamond in place with a lipped metal rim that encircles the gem, holding it safely in place. This modern setting offers a low profile that is great for women who lead active lifestyles. The bezel not only protects the edges of the diamond but also helps give the impression of a bigger center stone!

Engagement-wedding ring combo
If you never got around to buying an engagement ring, a combination band could be perfect for you. These are often bedazzled bands of gold or platinum studded with diamonds around the circumference. Since these rings have many smaller stones, they can often be a more economical choice than a separate engagement ring and wedding band.

Engraving
With the popularity of personalization, engraving&mdash:an old-fashioned tradition—has become a newfangled trend. The inscriptions on the inside of rings can be simple, like the date of the wedding and initials of the beloveds, or more elaborate such as a line of poetry or lyrics from your favorite love song. Personalized engraving, especially done by hand has a lead time of one to four weeks, so plan ahead.

Source: http://www.brides.com/wedding-engagement/engagement-rings/2010/06/essential-guide-wedding-rings-tips-and-trends