A finger ring that is given upon marriage (usually as a part of the wedding ceremony) by a man to the bride, and sometimes also her to the groom.In Roman days and the Middle Ages the wedding ring was indistinguishable from a betrothal ring or anengagement ring, but since the 16th century it has become customary to use a simple gold (or recentlyplatinum or palladium) band, albeit in recent years some have been engraved on the outside or inside with asentimental inscription or names, or have been decorated with faceting, diamond-milling, or several varicoloured metals, or occasionally (for the bride) set withgemstones, usually a band of small diamonds.A recent development is a matching engagement ring and wedding ring. A wedding ring has conventionally been placed since Roman days on the left hand, except for a short interval in the Middle Ageswhen it was placed on the right hand.