Rings should fit your personality and style, not just your finger

Today, love stories live online. Case in point: the engagement ring.

Nearly 60 percent of brides-to-be share their "we're getting married" news by posting a picture of their engagement ring on Facebook (though about one in five of their fiancees think doing so is tacky), according to a proposal survey from The Knot and Men's Health magazine.

But on the big day — and every day thereafter — the wedding band will have equal billing alongside the engagement ring, even if it might be less sparkly. Brides will want to make sure it is cohesive with the engagement ring and, of course, that it fits their style.

Start with the metal. According to a 2011 study of wedding jewelry by The Knot, 73 percent of engagement rings are white gold, which also makes up 70 percent of wedding bands. Whether the ring is white or yellow gold or platinum or something else altogether, brides would be in good company sticking with the same base metal for the wedding band. About a third of grooms also opt for white gold, according to the jewelry study, but guys increasing are looking to alternative metals like tungsten (27 percent) and titanium (16 percent). Be aware, though, that some alt-metals cannot be resized the way gold can, though some jewelers might offer a ring-replacement plan for an extra fee.

The Knot puts the average cost of wedding bands at $1,126 for brides and $491 for grooms.

Also keep in mind design elements. Full or partial eternity bands, pavé diamonds or accent gemstones can be carried on into the wedding band.

White gold also is popular for the groom, with about one-third of grooms picking a blanco band. However, alternative metals such as tungsten and titanium (think golf clubs) have grown in popularity in recent years, not just because of their unique look, but also for their lower price point.

Another trend: "man-gagement" rings. According to the Knot/the Men's Health survey, 17 percent of men said they would — not necessarily that they do — wear a ring to let the public know they are "off the market."