How Much Do Wedding Rings Cost & How Much Should You Spend?

There are a lot of opinions and 'rules' on how much to spend on an engagement ring, but little attention is paid to the cost of wedding rings post-proposal, and how much you should budget to spend on them. Weddings aren’t cheap, so planning ahead is important. Whether you have a wedding planner or you’re doing it all yourself, wedding bands are an everlasting purchase and one of the most important decisions (and potentially the most expensive) for your big day.

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know – from the average wedding ring cost to the factors that affect price, and how to budget for one of the most meaningful pieces of jewellery you’ll ever own.

Asking “how much should a wedding ring cost?” is a little like saying “how long is a piece of string?” Prices vary depending on the style, metal and width of the band.

Like most things wedding-related, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But in the UK, the average wedding ring cost typically sits between £1,300 and £1,500, although couples typically spend anywhere between £500 and £3,000 depending on their preferences.

Queensmith's plain wedding rings range from £400 to £2,400, putting the average price at around £1,400. This sits in line with national averages, but reflects the higher quality of craftsmanship and materials that go into every ring we create.

If you’re looking for a bit more sparkle, diamond wedding rings are a beautiful choice, with prices starting around £1,200 and increasing depending on the number and size of the diamonds, as well as the width and metal of the band.

Whether you're after a simple, timeless band or something more intricate, you’re in control of your budget, and thanks to our in-house production, our metal prices only vary slightly, so you can choose the style you love most without hidden cost surprises.

Yes, wedding rings are generally cheaper than engagement rings. Wedding bands are often simpler in design, focusing on precious metals or subtle detailing, while engagement rings typically feature a central diamond or gemstone, which significantly increases the cost. The stones also tend to be larger and the settings can be more intricate, such as halos. The craftsmanship required for these designs adds further to the price, making engagement rings a more significant investment than most wedding bands.

The cost of a wedding ring can vary widely, influenced by factors such as the metal, design, width and whether diamonds or other details are included.

At Queensmith, wedding ring costs vary only slightly depending on the metal you choose. Whether you’re drawn to platinum, white gold, yellow gold or rose gold, the difference in price is minimal – so you can focus on what suits your style best, rather than worrying about a major impact on your budget.

Here’s a quick summary of each precious metal and how they differ:

• Platinum: A naturally white metal that’s strong, durable and resistant to tarnish. It doesn’t need re-plating, but can develop a soft, lived-in patina over time.

• White gold: Bright and modern, white gold is rhodium plated for a cool, clean finish. This plating will wear over time, so expect to have it re-plated every few years.

• Yellow & rose gold: Classic and warm in tone, these metals are loved for their rich hues and vintage feel. They hold their colour well but may show small surface marks more easily than platinum.

For more detail on choosing the right metal for you, see our Precious Metal Guide.

How much do plain wedding rings cost?

Simple, plain wedding rings are the most affordable style, with prices at Queensmith starting from around £420. As a rule of thumb, the wider and heavier the ring, the higher the cost, but even our larger styles remain excellent value.

Slimmer bands, such as a 2.5mm light court band costs around £500. Wider, heavier rings, like a 6mm cushion court band, costs closer to £2,000. This makes plain bands a versatile option, offering timeless style at a range of price points depending on the width and weight you prefer.

Most couples choose matching or complementary bands, and often, it’s not about spending the same, but choosing designs that reflect each person’s style.

Wedding rings can be engraved for an extra cost of £75 per ring. At Queensmith, our rings are hand-engraved in a classic script font, and most wedding rings will allow for up to 25 characters to be engraved. From your partner's initials to your wedding date, a secret message to your nicknames, engraving can be a deeply personal and romantic touch to your wedding rings with very little extra cost in the long run.

For some engraving design inspiration, be sure to read our article on the best engraving ideas for wedding rings.

Diamonds are amongst nature’s most sought-after produce. Exquisitely created over millennia of Earth’s natural processes, it’s no wonder that adding diamonds to your wedding ring will make it more costly. The bigger each diamond, and the more of them used on the wedding ring, the more expensive your wedding ring will be. Our diamond wedding rings start from around £1,240, with most clients choosing designs in the £2,500 to £4,000 range. Lab grown diamond wedding rings would be an excellent option for those who love brilliance but are more budget-conscious.

If you’re hesitant about how much you want to spend on a diamond wedding ring, 60%, 50% or 40% diamond wedding bands feature fewer diamonds while retaining the same sparkle and glamour, making a more economical choice for those not wishing to spend that much on a wedding ring. The percentage refers to the amount of the band that will feature diamond coverage. When viewed from above, a 40-60% diamond set wedding ring will appear just like a traditional eternity ring, but will be plain on the underside.

Each diamond wedding ring from our online collection is detailed with its diamond coverage percentage, or you can specify this when creating a custom ring with our experts during an in-store or online consultation.

Adding a gemstone or two to your wedding band is also an option, offering a unique way to express personal style, incorporate meaningful birthstones or add a touch of sentiment. Again, this will have an impact on the price, depending on various different factors.

Another factor that can impact price is luxury brand premiums. No matter the size or style, you’ll find that the big-name brands and jewellery houses, such as those located on London’s Bond Street, could charge almost double the amount of other jewellers.

At Queensmith, we create our rings in-house whilst avoiding brand brand premiums and larger overhead costs to keep the average price of wedding rings reasonable. It may cost a little more than a mass-produced ring, but ensures lifelong quality. Weddings are costly, so it is important to find a jeweller who will craft your rings to the highest standards, whilst ensuring you get incredible value for money.

This blog should give you a good idea of how much wedding rings can cost, but ultimately, how much you budget for your rings is a very personal decision. Whilst there are lots of engagement ring myths out there, one of the biggest being that buyers should spend two or even three months of their salary on a ring, we can’t say we agree with outdated rules and ideas conjured up by marketers decades ago. The sentiment should be true of your wedding rings too, and we suggest:

• Do your research to get a realistic idea of what wedding rings cost.
• Figure out what's important to you. Do you want diamond coverage? A thick band? These are likely to cost more.
• Then define a budge that you know will work for you and your partner.

If you’re confused about how much you should spend on a wedding ring or would like some further clarification on how much your dream wedding ring could cost you, get in touch with our friendly wedding ring experts, who will help you get to the bottom of your queries.

The cost of weddings undoubtedly adds up. From venues to dresses and suits, bands, catering and booze – there’s a lot to consider! Your wedding rings should last a lifetime and be worn every day; so the most important thing is to find a reputable jeweller, with trusted reviews and a promise to craft life-long quality.

Traditionally, the responsibility was divided: the groom was expected to pay for the bride's wedding ring, and the bride would pay for the groom's wedding ring. Today, it's far more common for couples to discuss finances openly and decide on an arrangement that fits their budget and values.

• Sharing the cost: The couple might combine their finances and purchase both rings together from a joint account. This is a very common approach that reflects the partnership of marriage.
• Each person pays for their own: This gives each person the freedom to choose a style they love, regardless of the price, without burdening the other.
• One person pays for both: In some cases, one partner may choose to pay for both rings as a gesture of love and commitment, especially if there's a significant income difference.

Modern couples tend to share the cost, especially when rings are chosen together. In fact, over 82% of Queensmith couples purchase both rings at the same time, making it a joint investment into your future, and your story. For more insights, discover our annual wedding ring trends report.