When it comes to choosing a wedding ring, couples are bound to take a variety of factors into consideration. Everything from personal taste, family history, cultural backgrounds, or even romantic details from their relationship or their engagement, can come into play. And wanting to cover all of those bases all at once isn't really a tall order these days, as there are so many options.
Bands come in designs that are minimalist and eco-chic, or quirky and elegant. There's no need to feel forced to choose one aesthetic over the other. At the same time, couples may be seeking styles that are anything but conventional. Thankfully we're living in a time where soon-to-be newlyweds are spoiled for choice.
There's no blaming them for that. After all, they're choosing something they plan to wear for years to come. A basic white gold wedding band — even one that features sparkly diamonds — could seem like a yawn-fest, depending on your personal style.
Thankfully, couples who want to go against the grain with their wedding jewelry don't have to look too hard to find whimsical, edgy, modern, and uniquely minimalist designs. Wedding rings these days can be matching, or totally stand alone to truly capture each person's unique style.
Here, 20 eye-catching, wild wedding bands. Some are inspired by nature, history, or even hardware. Others are simply, stunningly unusual. If the love is wholly unique, why shouldin't the wedding rings be too?
Arrows with White Topaz
For a modern look, check out this arrow-shaped band features white topaz, which is the birthstone for those born in November and symbolizes hope, love and happiness.
Cirque Meeting Arrows Ring with White Topaz ($770, JaneTaylor.com)
Sunset-Inspired Eternity Band
The stones in this stunning, sapphire eternity band bring to mind a breathtaking sunset.
Cirque One-of-a-Kind Medium Square Stacking Band with Pinkish Peachy Orange Sapphires ($1740, JaneTaylor.com)
Eco-Friendly Gold
This recycled, custom-made gold band is a choice that's as eco-conscious as it is elegant.
Reticulated Recycled Gold Ring- Custom Made to OrderTextured Wedding Band ($650, Specimental, Etsy.com)
Dainty Sparkles & Rose Gold
This ultra-thin, minimalist, but super-romantic band features 17 white diamonds in a whimsical pattern.
Rose Gold Diamond Wedding Band ($238.50, FerkosFineJewelry, Etsy.com)
Swirled Chic in White Gold
This 18-karat white gold ring has a stunning design that's a fun twist (no pun intended) on the classic wedding band shape.
Gemvara Hurricane Matching Band ($695, Gemvara.com)
Eternity & Rebirth in Snake Form
This gold wedding ring, designed by Anthony Lent, features an ouroboros, a snake biting its own tail, which Catbird NYC explains is an ancient symbol of eternity and rebirth. Queen Elizabeth II's great-great grandmother Queen Victoria wore a similar snake engagement ring designed by her consort, Prince Albert.
Gold Ourboros Snake Ring ($1,380, CatbirdNYC.com)
Eye-Catching Opals
This romantic leaf (or oval or petal) design features shimmery opals, which is associated with love and passion, as well as desire and eroticism.
Opal Wedding Band ($379, Gardenring, Etsy.com)
Forever Fingerprint
You can't get much more unique than a ring that's custom-made with your partner's fingerprint engraved on the inside.
Custom Inner Fingerprint Ring ($209, GNGJewel, Etsy.com)
Playful Emerald Baguettes
Baguettes are usually flush against one another, but in this emerald ring, they're spaced out in a playful, creative, splashy way that's anything but snoozey.
Suzanne Kalan 18k Gold Emerald Baguette Ring ($2,000, NeimanMarcus.com)
Vintage Fleur de Lis-Inspired
This eye-opening, wide, gold wedding band features a wavey, fleur de lis-like design.
Vintage Wedding Ring ($355, Nuritdesignjewelry, Etsy.com)
Romantic Rice Beads
Made in New York City, this "rice bead" design, in 14K gold, is unconventional and elegant.
Rice Bead Ring ($190, AGildedLeaf.com)
The Crown
Made with recycled metals, this crown shaped wedding band is a little bit Tim Burton-esque and completely unforgettable.
Crown Tree Wedding Band ($600, WeddingRingsStore, Etsy.com)
Emerald Twisted Branches
This textured, emerald and recycled metal ring is a perfect way to pay tribute to nature.
Twisted Branch Ring ($55, WeddingRingsStore.com, Etsy.com)
Wild Flowers
These sterling silver rings feature an antique Victorian floral design from a spoon made in 1932 by Alvin Co. Something old — check!
Alvin Wild Flower Ring ($68, Spoonier, Etsy.com)
Twigs or Antlers
With a single diamond and a design that brings to mind either twigs or antlers, this majestic design is certainly imaginative.
14K Yellow Gold Twig/Antler Style Ring ($700, Staghead Designs, Etsy.com)
'X' Marks the Spot
This "x"-design, made in Montreal by designer Sofia Zakia, was inspired by the buds and branches of the pussy willow tree.
Woodland Ring ($210, CatbirdNYC.com)
Hardware-Inspired
Made from gold or sterling silver, this hardware-inspired design is a modern conversation-starter.
Miansai Nyx Ring ($115-120, Nordstrom.com)
Red Gold & Black Diamonds
Bold doesn't begin to describe these jaw-dropping, scarlet wedding bands speckled with black diamonds.
Modern Italian 14K Red Gold Black Diamond Wedding Band Set ($2,599, DesignMasters, Etsy.com)
Sound Waves
These proudly geeky wedding rings feature custom engravings of partners' personal sound waves, so spouses can wear their love's "voice" wherever they go.
Sounds of Love Ring ($425, RicksonJewellry, Etsy.com)
Pas de Deux
This clasped hand design was inspired by Fede rings from the 15th century, which were first worn by the Romans. The clasped hands symbolized — surprise! — an agreement.
Pas De Deux Ring ($410, CatbirdNYC.com)
