The engagement ring has been an integral part of marriage and a symbol of eternal love throughout the ages. But these days, more and more newlyweds are opting for tattoos instead of buying rings. And not only body art lovers make such a choice, but also people who have never visited a tattoo salon.
So, let’s find out why so many married couples have a ring finger tattoo instead of an actual ring and discuss the pros and cons of such a decision.
How did the wedding ring tattoo trend start?
Getting matching ring tattoos has probably become a trend due to such celebrities as Pamela Anderson, Beyonce, and the Beckhams. Many wealthy and famous people tattooed each other’s names or wedding dates on their ring fingers. Some bought traditional wedding bands anyway, while others preferred tattoos only.
This trend quickly became popular among the general public. These days, many couples choose to style their own rings, incorporating various symbols and signs significant to their relationship.
What are the most common wedding ring designs?
When choosing a tattoo design, remember that it will stay with you forever. Therefore, study the meaning of patterns and symbols before going to the tattoo artist and consider whether the design will fit into your daily life.
Many couples think a wedding ring tattoo should look like a ring, for example, consisting of one thin or thick line. But there are many other ideas for creative designs to put on a ring finger.
- Several intertwined lines
Often the bride and groom do not want to put special meaning into the engagement tattoos, but a simple line also looks dull. In such a case, they can choose a pattern of several lines.
In addition, the bride and groom may decide to have different designs with small matching detail. For example, girls prefer smooth lines and transitions, while men prefer geometric patterns.
- Infinity symbol
This drawing has a special meaning for newlyweds. It represents eternal love, wisdom, and wealth. Aren’t these things crucial in a marriage? In addition, the infinity symbol looks stylish and original.
- Image of a heart
The heart is another symbol of sincere love. So it is pretty natural that many couples choose such a pattern as a sign of ties with a loved one. The minimalistic monochrome design with the heart tattooed using a thin line looks especially lovely.
How much does a wedding ring tattoo cost?
The cost of a tattoo primarily depends on its size and complexity. The more sophisticated the drawing, the more the work will cost. In addition, different tattoo salons and artists have different rates. The color and quality of the pigment also affect the price.
For example, an entry-level artist might charge $60-$100 for a simplistic ring tattoo, whereas a well-known professional with years of experience can take up to $500 for the job. Overall, the average price for a ring tattoo ranges from $150 to $300.
Is a ring tattoo a good idea?
The pros of wedding ring tattoos are numerous, starting with self-expression and ending with comparative cheapness of the process. So, why could getting a wedding ring tattoo to be a good idea?
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You can make it unique.
Tattoos are primarily a means of self-expression. A neat image of the ring can be an excellent decoration and a sign of marriage at the same time.
These days, there are countless drawings and designs for every taste available on the Internet. Also, spouses can independently develop sketches that emphasize their individuality. For example, a tattoo may contain the name of a loved one or some important symbols or amulets.
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It’s budget-friendly.
Golden or platinum rings are traditional choices for a wedding. But they have one huge downside – the price. The average cost of a plain golden ring without precious stones is $1,000. Platinum rings are even more costly because they don’t tarnish over time. As a result, a platinum wedding band can cost $2,000-$3,000, depending on the design and weight.
If you’re not financially ready for such an investment, a ring tattoo would be a more budget-friendly solution. The price tag for getting a simple ring tattoo starts from $100. However, more sophisticated designs can reach $600, which is still less expensive than a golden ring.
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It’s a good substitute if a person is allergic to metal.
A tattoo instead of an engagement or wedding ring is suitable for those people who cannot wear metal jewelry due to allergies. Contact allergic dermatitis to metal occurs in 10-15% of the population. Common manifestations of this condition are rash, itching, and blisters. The longer the metal is in contact with the skin, the more severe the symptoms will be.
Getting rid of metal allergies is not easy. Therefore, in many cases, it is better not to wear metal jewelry at all. In this sense, a tattoo makes life much easier for allergy sufferers.
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You can’t lose it, unlike an actual ring.
Beach gold prospectors know precisely how often people lose jewelry. Their catch can reach 0.3 ounces of gold per day. The beach, sea, and entertainment centers are the most common places to lose precious items such as rings, earrings, and chains.
So if you’re a little absent-minded and forget your things in various places, tattoos will be a convenient alternative to the wedding ring. Such a ring is impossible to lose or steal because it’s literally a part of you.
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It doesn’t interfere with hobbies or work.
Wearing a wedding ring at some jobs can be dangerous to health. For example, if a person works with machinery, a wedding ring can catch on a tool and injure a finger or even sever its part. Plus, an injured finger may swell and interfere with blood circulation.
Since a wedding ring has a deep symbolic meaning for many spouses, they may find it hard to remove the ring from their hands. And this is when a tattoo is more advantageous. It won’t pose any dangers or inconvenience at your workplace.
The cons of a wedding ring tattoo
Getting a tattoo is not always fun and can have many adverse consequences. Let’s look at the most widespread ones.
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You risk catching an infection.
A tattoo can pose a serious health hazard. Given that this technology is associated with penetration into the skin, a person can become infected with bacterial and viral infections such as hepatitis B and C, tetanus, and HIV.
Bacterial contamination can be caused by non-sterile equipment or ink. The infection manifests in the form of swelling, redness, and pain at the site of the tattoo. However, the consequences can be much worse, so you need to choose a tattoo artist and a salon with special care and decide about a tattoo in the first place.
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Tattoos are difficult to remove in case of divorce.
Imagine that you had a tattoo of your spouse’s name, and a few years later, you divorced. Finding a new love after divorce is already a complicated matter, let alone if you have your ex’s name tattooed on your ring finger. And as you might have heard, tattoos are hard to remove.
Of course, there are plenty of places, including laser clinics, promising fast tattoo removal. But unfortunately, not only is it costly, but you might not be able to get rid of the pigment entirely. In addition, laser tattoo removal is contraindicated during pregnancy, diabetes, oncology, blood diseases, etc.
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Your ring tattoo may turn out sloppy.
You can still get sloppy lines and handwriting regardless of your tattoo’s size. In addition to defects in the tattoo itself, it may well be that the main problem lies in your skin. For example, people with thin skin are more likely to experience subsequent pattern distortion. But the owners of thick, dense skin rarely encounter similar problems.
Another reason is prolonged exposure to the sun. Ultraviolet reduces the original color saturation and partially destroys the structure of the pigment. Finally, you may find it challenging to follow skincare rules. For example, the contours may distort if you rub the pattern with a washcloth or forget to apply a regenerating ointment. And hands and fingers are not so easy to hide from the sun or wash less often.
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It fades and smudges over time.
Many tattoos fade over time. The most annoying thing is that immediately after the session, the drawing looks bright and saturated, with perfect contours and fascinating details. But the lines may blur several months later, and the picture might merge into an incomprehensible spot.
The main reason is the wrong choice of a tattoo artist. For example, you tried to save money and went to someone with little experience. Frequent mistakes of such tattoo masters are the choice of low-quality pigment, putting too much pressure on the skin, the wrong needle, etc.
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A tattoo salon may become your main wedding venue.
Don’t forget that getting a ring tattoo is also part of the wedding day ceremony, so get ready for your chosen guests to see you in some pain. You’ll probably also want to capture this painful process in photos or record it on a videotape. Thus, prepare for funny faces in your photos.
If it’s not intimidating for you, great. But remember one more thing. The administration of some salons may forbid the crowd of people from entering the venue entirely, so make sure to discuss the number of guests authorized in the salon during the “ceremony.”
Final Thoughts
Getting a wedding ring tattoo is an exciting and novel approach to wedding symbolics. This step has as many pros as downsides, so the decision to replace a ring with a tattoo should be very well-thought. Here’s a small tip – choose an experienced tattoo artist in a more or less respectable place and follow the skincare routine to the letter, and you’ll be fine.
By: Natalie Maximets
Natalie Maximets is a certified life transformation & relationship coach and a freelance writer at OnlineDivorce.com with expertise in mindfulness, sustainability, and building healthy relationships. She is a published author focused on the most progressive solutions in the field of Psychology. Natalie is proficient in CBT, REBT, Trauma Recovery, Mindfulness Meditation, Storytelling, and Wilderness Therapy.
