Do You Need A Wedding Ring?

Are you planning on wearing a wedding ring? Most people wouldn't give this question a thought, but as an alternative bride you might be questioning whether or not a ring is necessary. A wedding ring is a deeply rooted tradition in most Western marriage ceremonies, but some people don't like the idea.
Not everyone wants to wear jewelry and not everyone has a job where jewelry is allowed or safe to wear. Other people just don't see rings as necessary, since their primary use is to signify to other people outside your marriage that you are in fact married and committed to someone. Rings are used to prove that you're bonded to your partner in some hopefully permanent way. Some people see this as insecure, the need to broadcast your commitment to the outside world. Do you need outside knowledge of your commitment to stay committed? Do you need a piece of metal around your finger to feel secure in your relationship? Hopefully not.
On the other hand, some people really enjoy jewelry and some people love symbolism and the idea behind a wedding band. Wearing a wedding band isn't a negative thing, but it isn't necessarily a positive or required thing either. If you want to wear one then that is fine, but don't feel forced into it. Also, if your partner doesn't want to wear a ring then that doesn't mean that they don't want to be committed, it just means they don't want to wear a ring. Don't force them in ring-wearing, if it doesn't suit them personally. Whether or not rings are involved should not be an issue.