Put a ring on it: A guide to wedding bands for you and your sweetheart

When shopping for wedding bands, one of the first things couples need to consider is the type of metal used.

Linda Crosnoe, owner of Crosnoe Gold and Silver in Cape Girardeau, says 14-karat white gold is the most popular option, but many men are now choosing alternative metals such as titanium, tungsten and black zirconium.

"Alternative metals are stronger, they hold up well and they're not as pricey," she says. Another selling point of alternative metals is that they can be customized to fit one's personality -- think camouflage etching, a tire tracks pattern or even a fingerprint.

The downside is that alternative metal rings cannot be sized or changed; they can only be remade, says Kendra Harris, manager and gemologist at Jayson Jewelers in Cape Girardeau.

"Alternative metals are great for the here and now, but five or 10 years from now, if there is any kind of change in your hands, there's nothing we can really do to change the ring," she explains.

In other words, if you gain or lose weight and need a size adjustment, you're out of luck unless you want to get a new ring. For some couples, this is not an issue, but for couples who want to wear their original band for life, it may be best to choose the traditional white gold, yellow gold or platinum.

"Gold is traditional and timeless," says Crosnoe, and it's still the metal most brides choose for their wedding bands, along with diamonds to match the engagement ring.

Wedding bands should be purchased, or at least ordered, about three months before the wedding date. Ordering a ring in your size can take up to two weeks, says Harris, but you'll want to allow time for any adjustments. If you want something custom-made, it may take more time.

"I like to see them three months in advance so we can have that conversation, and if they want to do something custom, we can be sure to get them in. It's nice to have as much time as possible," says Harris. "Even if they don't purchase that day, we all know what we want to do."