A reader survey completed recently in Bride's magazine found 80% of respondents prefer a traditional wedding. Traditional usually means white gown, church ceremony, and full reception, completed with a honeymoon getaway. When it comes to wedding bands tradition and modern style are quickly entwining to produce some fabulous new wedding band styles.

What are the hottest styles in wedding bands

Diamonds are still a girls’ best friend and are very quickly becoming a guy’s best friend too. In the past few years there has been a steady increase in the purchase of diamond wedding bands for guys. Men have finally figured out what women have always known.

The most popular bands are flush settings in gold, platinum, or titanium. Usually the diamond is one carat or less. Another popular setting is small stones placed geometrically around the entire band.

That’s why today’s brides and grooms prefer wearing matching bands of diamonds with their husbands. They can buy matching bands or similar bands that accent each other. Designers are now producing coordinating engagement rings and wedding bands. So rather than choosing a set, they are looking for mix and match.

The metals titanium and platinum are also very hot. Both brides and grooms are jumping on the bandwagon for something different that the traditional yellow gold of the past. Guys and gals alike appreciate the beauty of platinum and the wearability of titanium. Today’s platinum is no longer mixed with yellow gold. Today high polished platinum is a star all by itself. The popularity of titanium wedding bands is also growing by leaps and bounds. Titanium has the same look as platinum with two advantages - it’s cheaper and much more durable than platinum.

Jewelers today are borrowing design ideas from the past. Designs are no longer stiff but flowing and fluid.

What type of designs are popular

Custom designer wedding sets has become very vogue. Women are much more in tune to their entire fashion statement and since their wedding rings are worn all the time they want their rings to reflect who they are. They also like to choose wedding rings that will work with other jewelry pieces they wear.

The most popular diamond shape is the round brilliant cut, however many women are choosing some of the more non-traditional cuts for their engagement rings. Emerald cuts, baguettes, and marquis cuts have grown in popularity in the last few years.

Never has their been a time in history when the design of wedding bands and engagement rings was so intricately tied to the individual who would wear it. Price, selection, and style are as wide as the imagination.

Bride and groom looking to plan your wedding online? Jen Carter, owner of My Wedding Blog, offers free information on wedding planning. You may publish our articles on your website only if you do not edit the article in any way, and include all html as direct links to our site. Visit us at www.my-wedding-blog.com