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40 Of The Best Wedding Ring Tattoo Designs

If you're looking at interesting new wedding traditions that are now popping up, then you've got the honeymoon registry, the trash the dress phenomenon, and the increasingly popular wedding ring tattoos. Since we don't want to do just what our parents did, these awesome permanent ink designs make a great ring alternative.

**Forever linked… or inked? **

Sure, getting married is a huge step emotionally, but it isn’t going to place much of a dent in your finances, right?

Think again. The average man spends about $5300 on an engagement ring alone, and that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. In the United States, most couples spend about $30,000 on their big day.

Whether it’s the exorbitant cost or the blatant consumerism that bugs you when it comes to traditional wedding rings, a trend that’s becoming more popular as time passes is the wedding ring tattoo. Instead of shelling over tons of cash for a rock and a wedding band, a surprisingly large number of couples are bucking tradition and inking their ring fingers instead, leaving plenty of funds for other aspects of their big day.

Here are some of our favorite designs that you can use as inspiration for your own wedding ring tattoo(s):

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When you think back on your first date, it’s highly probable that you spent a large chunk of it in a movie theater. This Star Wars-themed tattoo set not only pays homage to the first movie a couple saw together; it also showcases their awesome sense of humor.

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A common passion, such as hunting or photography, is what unites most couples. Tattooing an identical image that represents a shared interest on each of your ring fingers shows the world how something that’s important to you as an individual also unites you with the person you love above all others.

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Perhaps you’re a fan of the wedding ring tattoo concept but your significant other still wants a ring on his or her finger. No one has to settle with this adorable design, which allows the couple to still wear physical rings while showcasing a meaningful message on each of their ring fingers.

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Another fun design that allows you to also wear a tangible wedding ring is this adorable side-finger tattoo that celebrates a newly shared last name. While a “Mr.” tattoo on the husband’s finger would be the perfect match, this idea is also a nice one for those who may have a partner who is uncomfortable with getting inked, as it also stands well on its own.

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The perfect partner is the wind beneath your wings, and more importantly, the music of your heart. If you feel like singing and dancing for joy whenever you think of your new spouse, this may be the perfect design for the two of you to share on your ring fingers for the rest of your lives.

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Sometimes simplicity is key. If you and your partner prefer a minimalist lifestyle without pomp and circumstance, perhaps this traditional band design is the perfect fit for you.

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This design takes the minimalist’s approach a step further by also including an initial within the body of the tattooed wedding band. You could use the first initial of your beloved’s first name, or you could use the first initial of the last name you intend on sharing from this point forward.

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If you were unable to find the perfect ring in your preliminary search, then why not bring it to life yourself by drawing it? This design is perfect for the artsy couple that would enjoy generating a design themselves on paper and trusting a tattoo professional to ink it permanently onto their ring fingers.

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Sure, we agreed with Juliet when she said that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” but we also think it’s pretty cool to permanently proclaim your beloved’s name on your ring finger with this style of tattoo. There’s no mistaking to whom your heart belongs with this design!

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Maybe you love the concept of tattooing your spouse’s name on your ring finger, but what are you to do when his or her name is a mile long? Swapping out an “R” for your significant other’s first initial is a unique way to pay homage to your spouse without inking the entire alphabet onto your finger!

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For many couples, a shared faith or religion is the tie that truly binds them together for life. Obviously your ring finger is too tiny to hold the text of a well-loved verse from a book of faith, but inking the location of a scripture that is important to your relationship is just as special as having the whole thing spelled out.

If you prefer a more intimate approach to a wedding ring tattoo, this heart design, which is only complete when the two partners’ fingers are intersected, may be the right choice for you. While the general public may not even realize you have a ring on your finger, you and your partner will always be aware of the discrete design.

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There’s no better way to show homage to the eternal nature of your love than with an infinity sign, revealing to the world that your love has no bounds or end.

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Featured in The Chicago Tribune, this couple was looking for a unique way to break apart from the over-hashed wedding traditions everyone they knew was integrating into their nuptials. Instead of purchasing traditional wedding bands, they decided to tattoo the atomic symbol, an element of a piece of art they saw together on one of their first dates, onto their fingers. While atoms may mean little to you and your significant other, any symbol that has a special meaning to the two of you can act as an excellent ring replacement.

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One of the biggest trends in the world of tattoo art is the tribal tattoo. If you and your partner are fans of tribal elements, you may want to go for a design featuring two slithering snakes like these little guys.

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The heart-shaped lock and key are traditional images that represent love between two people, so what better images to use in place of traditional wedding bands? We adore the concept of the groom holding the key to his bride’s heart.

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Your wedding date is destined to be the most momentous, life-changing day of your life. What better way to commemorate its significance than by having its numerals etched into your skin for life? This is a subtle design that would be perfect for couples with a style rooted in simplicity.

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Sure, we may have already mentioned initial tattoos, but the artsiest of couples can take the idea a step further. This couple decided to generate a unique font design of their own rather than rely on a traditional Arial or Helvetica style.

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Just because you were made for each other doesn’t mean that everything you do has to be identical. For couples that don’t like anything to be too “matchy-matchy,” complementary designs that are also distinctively different may be the best route to take.

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Whether you choose to recite traditional vows at your ceremony or pick up a pen and write your own, you are both committing to each other until the very end as you recite your vows on your big day. This tattoo design not only looks great; it works as a constant reminder to both you and the entire world that you’re in it for the long haul.