Some families have wedding bands that they keep and pass on to their grandchildren or the children of their grandchildren. Antique wedding bands cost a lot of money, and are often one of a kind. If your family has antique wedding bands that they are willing to let you have, you can save quite a bit of money, and continue to hold in your hands, a symbol of love that has been in your family for several generations.

      If you don't have old wedding bands, however, you have two options. The first option is to have wedding bands made, and the second option is to purchase ready to wear ones. If there's any detail in your wedding that you shouldn't feel guilty about splurging on, that detail should be your wedding bands. Think about it, this is the symbol of your love, and you will be wearing it for the rest of your lives. It's okay to spend a little!

      Some bridal parties may not have the luxury of splurging, though, so taking the two options presented, here are ways to get cheap wedding ring sets without sacrificing quality! For the first option of having wedding bands made, you can go to jewelers that repair jewelry. Some of these jewelry repair stores also accept made to order items. Usually you will be asked to pay for the price of the gold or metal. Remember that for gold, it depends on the carat; the higher the carat, the more expensive. Though most jewelers seldom make rings in very high gold carats because the metal is too soft. While for silver it depends on the percentage; sterling silver being the most expensive.

      Also, most customers are asked to provide their own design. What's nice about being allowed to provide your own design is that you get to choose a design you may have seen from one of the big jewelry houses, and have the same design made for much less. Also, if you have loose stones, gems, or crystals, or old jewelry from which you have pretty stones or gems, then you can incorporate these into your design as well.

      An added advantage to having your wedding bands made is that should anything happen to them (accidents, loss, etc.), you can always go back to the store and have them remade to be exactly the same. Though this may be difficult if the original ring had a stone or gem in it.

      In the end, you pay for the price of the gold and the labor of making the piece. This can cut your spending down by a lot, especially if you were considering on purchasing your wedding bands from a known jewelry store. Before deciding right away, though. Get an estimate amount from several of these stores. That way you're sure you get the best quality, but still cheap wedding ring sets. Also, look into the ready to wear option.

      Some ready to wear bands are pretty cheap. Usually if you get plain wedding bands from small or unknown jewelry stores, they will be pretty affordable. If you are happy with the design and the cost, this is one way you can remove yet another person to talk to and deal with when it comes to making your wedding arrangements because as soon as you buy the bands, you're done dealing with and worrying about this detail.

      You can also try looking online for some ready to wear bands or rings as this can be a good source of cheap wedding ring sets. Often the prices aren't that bad, especially if they are plain bands of gold and silver. You may spend anywhere from $300 to $400 for the set. Usually, prices go up when diamonds or other gems are added onto the rings. You may end up spending anywhere from $800 to $2000 dollars on a single ring. If this is well beyond your budget, you may want to consider the other options.

      As always, the best advice is to get a lot of quotes and estimates from both your options, and see which one is affordable and will make you both happy. Remember to pick out your wedding bands together. Some women like the eternity ring, most men like simple bands. Other couples like having matching bands, and buy them as a set (usually comes out cheaper.) So choose bands that you will both be happy with, and will not regret wearing for the rest of your lives.

Next Article: Ideas for Affordable Wedding Favours