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Back when Foxy and I first started talking about our respective ring bling, he was adamant about one thing.
Which was not actually wearing a ring.
He said he would be uncomfortable wearing one, since he’s never really worn any kind of jewelry outside of a watch. Which makes a little bit of sense. But then again…most guys don’t wear much jewelry. Yet they still wear a wedding band. Touché, Mr. Future Husband.
So while he was against wearing a traditional band, he did say that he wanted to get a ring tattooed on his finger instead.
Image via Offbeat Bride
I can’t tell you why, exactly, but I wasn’t too thrilled about this at first. I mean, sure, it’s flattering that he’s willing to permanently ink himself with a representation of our love and marriage, but I think it’s just that I don’t like ring tattoos. I have nothing against them on other people, but I suppose I had it set in my head that Foxy would ultimately wear a “real” ring all the time, not just on special occasions (as he so said he would do). It was definitely a point of contention for us for a while—ring versus no ring? How important was it to me for him to have and regularly wear a physical ring in addition to or instead of the tattoo ring?
Lo and behold—spoiler alert!—a few fortuitous things happened:
1. We spent some time with my FSIL’s friend Tim who has had his ring tattoo since he was married almost 15 years ago.
And guys? It looked terrible. Really just a hot mess. Minus the hot. So…just a big ol’ mess.
Now I know tattooed rings do indeed have the capacity to look good (see above)! This one just happened to fall in the other category, and I am SO FREAKING THANKFUL for that (sorry, Tim). The ring appeared to be tattooed slightly higher than a normal ring would sit on your finger, which made it look a bit awkward. I’m also pretty sure he never got the ring touched up at all, because it was insanely faded and honestly? Looked a bit like a bad magic-marker sketch that wouldn’t wash off all the way, a la the stamp from that club last Saturday night that I regret going to that is still on the back of my hand.
Anyway, one look at that bad boy and Foxy was already debating his ring-tattoo decision. Progress!
Moving on with the list…
2. Jared
3. Titanium
4. Tungsten
So. Seeing as we got my e-ring at Jared, it was only natural to go back and check out their wedding-band selection for both myself and the man. All I really have to say here is thank sweet baby Jesus for whoever decided to make men’s rings out of tungsten and titanium—the stuff is wicked durable and so freakishly light. Foxy decided to try on a couple of these little beauts while we were at the store:
Image via Jared
Once he slipped them on, I swear to you it was like Cinderella had found her missing slipper. I could literally see the change of mind going on through his face and his eyes—a ring really could work! Especially since none of the rings he likes are over the $200 mark—stylish, cost effective, and sturdy? We might as well buy 10 of them while we’re at it. (Kidding.) (Sort of.)
In the end, it looks like Foxy has decided to forgo the tattoo ring and still go with the “traditional” band…just in time for me to have decided that I don’t really mind either way. Hey, at least we have options now!
Does anyone have a ring tattoo or know someone who does? What are your thoughts on it?
My hubby-to-be is very opposed to wearing a traditional ring as well. We bought him one for the ceremony for $14.99 on Amazon, and he LOVES it but still refuses to wear it after we get back from our honeymoon. But like your soon-to-be, is very adamant about getting a ring tattoo. He has an artist that he trusts to do it, and I’m excited that he’s so sure of our “forever”, but I’m worried about what it will look like in the years to come. Best of luck to you - I love reading all your posts! (Especially since I’m a fellow natural redhead!)
I never wore rings before getting engaged, and now I’m so used to it I have to check to make sure it’s there sometimes. I’m sure he’ll be fine with a real ring, it just takes a little getting used to. I’m glad you guys found some you like!
Once you’ve determined the width, size and material he wants, check out Amazon. You can find titanium and tungsten rings for like $20. That’s what we’re doing.
LOVE Triton brand tungsten rings! He picked out the one with the carbide inside and he loves it!
It’s not smart getting a ring tatoo. I know they aren’t thinking about it now but people DO get divorced..then what? ok, they can have it removed but I hear that’s pretty painful!
Andy M.
Mr. Mole has a calf sleeve tattoo, but he wasn’t interested in getting a ring tattoo at all. They can look nice, but hand tattoos generally require a lot of maintenance. (It’s sometimes hard for them to hold their ink.) We ended up going in a more traditional route.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with ring tattoos, but it was never an option for Mr. P. At least you like either option for Foxy!
A very good friend of mine has a ring tattoo and it looks awful. She got some sort of Celtic pattern in a thick band around her finger (hubby is Irish, she thought it meaningful), and the color seemingly bled because it just looks like a big blurry black mess. She tried covering it with a really wide band afterwards but you can still see it peeking out most of the time, making her finger just look really dirty in that area. Her husband was luckier, in that he got a tattoo on his ring finger as well - but his was a skull and crossbones just below his fingertip. I’m not sure what this says about his level of commitment, but I don’t like the guy anyways!
My fiance only has three fingers on his left hand(thumb, middle and ring finger) due to a very uncommon birth defect. Wearing a ring is a touchy subject for him because he is sometimes embarrassed by emphasis on his hand….people stare enough. It bothered me at first when he said he did not want to wear a ring both because he does not wear jewelry and also because of the multiple reasons having to do with his own personal situation but I can understand the feelings. Now, were not opposed to tattoos in the slightest, we both have several and even have matching septum rings =], and even though our ceremony wont be anywhere close to traditional(hence my purple trumpet/mermaid gown and black onyx ring) I really wanted him to have a ring. I mean, what am I supposed to do at the ceremony??? We have decided that he will get a tattooed ring and we will buy a cheapy stand in for the ceremony. After much discussion I am perfectly okay with this but like Ive hinted at, were a bit off the beaten path. Goodluck with your decision and congrats!!!!
I’ve heard that ring tattoos become very faded and some tattoo artists won’t even do them. I haven’t actually seen anyone who has one though - I would be very interested to! We are sticking with the classic ring route. I think stylish, sturdy, and cost effective are some of Mr. D’s criteria…except he probably doesn’t care too much if it is stylish or sturdy… haha 
Mr. P doesn’t wear any jewelry at all either and was a little weirded by the whole ring idea. The tungsten really worked for him too. So glad they that style of ring came around.
It was something Mr. Macs had offered to do but I wasn’t entirely onboard with the idea. He’s still not a fan of things on his hands (like Mr. Fox) and I’m totally okay with him not wearing it. But so far so good on giving it a chance!
Keep us posted on what Mr. Foxy decides! I’ve known a few people with tattooed wedding rings, and most of them do it for convenience sake (i.e. they’re firemen, so it makes sense). My dad almost didn’t get a wedding ring. He was pretty anti-jewelry, but my mom really wanted him to have one. It just so happened that my dad wanted her to take his name (which she did not want to do), so they struck up a bargain: he would wear a ring if she took his name. 26+ years later, and they’re still in love! Though my dad has this hand condition that makes it basically impossible for him to wear his ring, so I guess he got his way in the end.
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@Tara: Hooray for redheads!! & @oatmealpie: I had no idea you could get them so cheap on Amazon! Such a great find.
@Future MrsB: My situation exactly! I took me a few months to get used to my e-ring, especially since the band is thicker than any ring I’ve ever worn. Now I feel naked without it!
@jjblog2011: I was really impressed by how “pretty” a lot of them were.. Foxy was too! I don’t think he realized how many options there were out there.
@puddingface: Heh your comment made me laugh! It’s always tricky with ring tats.. your hands get so much use that it’s hard for them to hold their ink, as Miss Mole mentioned.
@FutureMrs Skates: Your wedding sounds like it’s going to be fantastic, especially with that purple dress! I hear you about worrying about what to do during the ceremony with the (lack of) rings; I like your idea of buying a cheapo. Plus, who knows? Maybe the Mr will grow into it!
@Miss Dalmatian: Hehe yea Foxy’s main thing was “cost effective”. Our main tattoo artist actually doesn’t do ring tats.. I think that helped!
@Miss Porcupine: Glad to hear that the tungsten worked so well for Mr P!
@Mrs. Parasol: I love your parents’ agreement. Sounds like it worked!
My fiance can’t wear a ring due to his job. So when he put a ring on my finger, he made this clear, no ring a ding ding for him. He contemplated the tattoo ring idea. He threw all sorts of designs around. Apart of me says go for it, but apart of me thinks dont worry about it. He has decided not to do the tattooed ring. I’m not really upset. I think it is because I trust him so much and I know he’d never go out picking up chicks because he is forever sans ring.
Although a friend suggested he at least get a ring for the ceremony. So who knows? He may get a ring to wear at our wedding and any other time. But I’m not too concerned. I’d be more upset if he got an ugly ring tattoo lol
@outlandishmeow: I’m personally a fan of getting an inexpensive ring just for the ceremony (apparently Amazon.com has tons!). I’ve always loved the exchange of the rings in the ceremony and it’s so symbolic - might be nice to just have a “stand in” if you want it a part of the ceremony!
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Miss Fox, Washington DC/Havre de Grace, MD Age and Occupation: 26, Massage Therapist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Field Support Engineer Engagement Date: April 18, 2010 Wedding Date: June 2012 Venue: Vandiver Inn About Me: I’m a dancer turned massage therapist who was born and raised in New York. Alas, true love has brought me “south” where I still maintain my penchants for pretty shoes, wine, crossword puzzles, cherry blossoms, and the Mets. I own more sunglasses than a normal person should and don’t eat red meat (though I make up for it by eating my weight in sushi). I tend to be a big planner who likes to get things started early, but generally end up being indecisive and procrastinating when it comes down to it. I have a (not so) secret crush on Chris Carrabba, but my loyalty and love ultimately goes to the future hubs, of course! Together, my Foxy man and I love to discuss (read: debate) politics and current events, have Mario Kart and Scrabble duels, and just laugh. A lot. We’re hoping and planning for a laid back, fun, summery, rustic vibe to our June wedding that will be genuinely “us” – that is, if we finally make some decisions. Huzzah!
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