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My friend recently got engaged*, and she showed me her "engagement ring", which instead of jewelry, is a small tattoo of (I think) a celtic knot on her ring finger. It's well done and looks really nice, but I don't think it's something I would do. The man and I were talking about how tattoos are "so permanent".. but then, isn't MARRIAGE permanent? I thought that was a pretty good question. If you're getting married, and marriage is forever, why NOT get a tattoo that everyone can see, commemorating yours and your husband's bond? Why not tattoo his name even? (Assuming you're in to tattoos.)
Picture this - a young woman announces her long-time-coming engagement. Everyone is thrilled. They ask to see the ring. She shows them her tattoo. Does it suddenly change from... "congrats on the rest of your lives together" to "you know that's PERMANENT, right?" The difference, I guess, is that a gold ring is "forever", yet you can take it off. For a tattoo, there are no do-overs. (I guess technically you can have it covered up or removed, but that's a lot of work and expensive.) When did there get to be LEVELS of forever that we were or weren't willing to cross?
The man and I talked about this and both came to the conclusion that even though we love each other and know we'll be together forever, we don't think we'd get tattoos to celebrate that. (Well, MAYBE, somewhere discreet, something matching, if it were the perfect representation... but he's not a tattoo kind-of-guy anyway.) Does that mean we're less committed to each other? I don't think so. What do you think? Regardless of whether you hate needles or don't have any tattoos...
Would you get yourself permanently stamped as "taken" for all the world to see? What about a tat of your dear husband's name? Maybe matching hubby/wife tats with your wedding date?
*don't worry, I pointed her at weddingbee. If she's reading this maybe she'll comment with her thoughts on why she chose this option!
I wouldn't. As much as I think it's a great option for other people, I just wouldn't want a tattoo on my hand. That's my entire reasoning, plain and simple! It's not that I don't think my marriage will be forever--has nothing to do with that. I just wouldn't want a tattoo on my hand.
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Ah, so you're just not into a hand-tattoo. I'm not sure I am either, for myself, though I've seen beautiful ones on other people (including my friend). I have one on my foot that I love though!
I have considered getting some sort of small tattoo of something that is meaningful to my FI and I, but I wouldn't do in it place of a ring -- I want my bling! :-) Also, I would make sure it was something that I would be comfortable having on my body whether he and I were together or not -- I don't want to think that we won't last forever, but one never knows, right? I wouldn't get in on my hand; I would probably get it in a less visible place. My FI is not a tattoo person, so I know he would never get one himself, but he does love mine.
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I would, with my ring too. I have 3 tattoos and I like the idea of one to celebrate us as a unit. I still want my ring though...
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I wouldn't, but I just don't like tattoos. I can appreciate them for other people, but just not for me.
I want the rings! We did get matching tattoos of our wedding monogram, though. Places that people won't normally see them, but we know about them. I was nervous to get them, not necessarily because they are permanent, I worried they might a jinx! But the Mr. talked me into it.
I wouldn't get a tattoo period- not because it's permanent and I worry about my marriage ending, but because it's just not something I would do.
It sounds like we all luvs our blingz!! LOL, that was kind of my thought too. My friend's tattoo is really sweet and beautiful, but me likey shiny jewelery! ;)
I think it would be a great alternative for those who work with their hands. Rings can be really dangerous (I've heard horror stories aboud degloving and seen some nasty scars!) It could also be helpful for those guys who don't like to wear jewelery. I'd rather my man wear a tattoo on his ring finger than nothing at all!
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I think it is a fine idea for some people I just don't think it is right for me. I asked my husband one day what he thought and we both agree we like our rings much better. That is our opinion though. We both have tattoos and we are not opposed to them we just feel one on your ring finger is a little too much. I do have friends that got "matching" tattoos (not on their ring finger) after their wedding. He has a dove on his arm and she has two doves on her back.
@rnc620 - Yes! I've wondered if it's also a good (sanitary) choice for those in a medical field, such as my friend. I suppose that hand-jewelry is a trap for bacteria/germs, even for the obsessive hand-washer.
I glove...and I wear my right hand ring at work. Am a medical chick!
I'm just not into tatoos.
What if, god forbid, your spouse died? And then you wanted to re-marry, but your new spouse has not only the reminder of your own marriage, but of your previous marriage on that finger. I think it is good to remember the past fondly, but it might be hard for the new partner.
One of my co-workers has a tattoo'd "ring" and loves it, but they are both rock climbers and preferred on to wear real rings most of the time. When they go out they put their bling on over the tats.
@doctorgirl - I think it would be a lot easier to accept if they had passed away. I think I'd like the reminder, myself. My mom seriously considered getting a tattoo to represent my dad after he died, and she was a die hard "No Tattoos!!" person. She never did it, but I think that her post-dad bf's would have accepted it. They never seemed to have a problem with the way she felt about my dad.
I think the real issue is the divorce rate. None of us want to be a statistic, but it does kind of hang over your head. I'm super analytical so it's hard for me not to think about the what-ifs. Drives FI crazy!!! He's got that whole blind faith thing going for him though..haha. He'd probably be fine with the tatto idea.
I'm with meggyg8r, rosychicklet and others. No tattoo ring for me...but it's not because I don't want something that permanent, it's because I'm just opposed to tattoos [at least for myself] in general. I just don't like them!
I'm considering getting my FH's initials tatooed to UNDER where my e and w ring will be sitting. My bands are too slim to have engraved and I love tats so I might go to it...though my FH thinks its a horrible idea.
I am too much of a wuss to get a tattoo & I am looking forward to my bling :) We were just discussing this a few days ago & my guy isn't allowed to wear any jewelry at work (too dangerous) so he actually brought up the idea of getting a tattoo "ring" for him as he's worried that since he will not be wearing his wedding ring to work everyday that he might forget to actually put it on (he's not a jewelry-guy). If he wants to do it I think it would be cool although I would like him to have a little bit of guy-bling too.
My brother tattooed his wedding ring because he's a mechanic and works with his hands. Looks very awesome!
I don't think it would be a terrible thing to do, now a day especially you can get 'white ink' tatoos where you can hardly see it. If you wanted to get one, but your work didn't allow it, you could still!!! I think they are pretty cool but I would never get one myself. My FI does brewing work, and is afraid that his ring might get ruined or damaged so he is going to get one made out of Tungstin Carbite or something like they. They are very durable and can't be scrated.
I voted yes, not because I have one yet but because I plan to do this, that wasn't an option....
It's right for me because I am not into diamonds or gold jewelry, and I like it. I don't have any other tattoos nor will I. We both will have tattoo wedding bands. I know that hand tattoos require touch ups more often bc you wash your hands alot, but I think it is a very unique and touching.
If in the future one of us has a job where we wouldn't be allowed to wear it we will get wood rings to wear over the tattoo.
starrienyte - yeah, I kind of failed at adding enough good poll options. That's cool though, thanks for sharing.
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we did not get ring tattoos. But we did get matching tattoos that are part of the fire dept and EMS. They are a part of us. And when I look at mine I always think of my sweet Mr. FF. I debated a long long time on getting a tattoo but some how this was perfect and I love mine and his. In fact I am planning my dress around my tattoo. I want it too look amazing in my dress also! The finger tattoo may not be for me! But it is forever just like our marriage!
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Tattoos are cool, and I admire some really great works of body art on other people, but I just don't personally want any tattoos. I do like the idea of that Celtic knot and have seen it on men's hands before and thought it was a pretty good idea. But not for me.
In my previous comment, I said that, while I would not do it in place of a ring, I would like to get a small tattoo as a symbol of my relationship with my FI. I also said that he is "not a tattoo person" and most likely wouldn't do it with me.
Well, wasn't I surprised when I mentioned it last night and he actually said, "I would so do that with you. What do you want to get?" EEEEP! I literally squealed with joy. We are planning it, and I am so excited. I have always wanted to have matching tattoos with someone, and who better than my FI?
Just wanted to share that with you all.
My hubby and I both have tattoos and have talked about possibly getting our monogram tattooed. I definitely wouldn't get a ring tattoo because neither one of us can have tattoos visibly when we work. I think it is a really cool idea and can work for some people. My SIL's hubby has her nickname tattooed on his ring finger which looks great. I definitely want to get a tattoo that signifies us and our marriage sometime but just not on our hands.
I would never. A tattoo is a tattoo first. It comes with many impiications ... and our parents would totally disown us! 
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@V- I was sure my parents would disown me for getting a tattoo. But they didn't! They were just really, really mad. lol. (Tis better to ask for forgiveness than permission!!) Mine's not on my hand though - my tattoos aren't visible when I'm at work.
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Not to offend anyone out there...but my personal opinion is that weddings are "classy" and ring tattoos are a tad "angelina-esque trashy." They just don't go hand-in-hand!
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I wouldn't because I don't personally want any tatoos on my body. I love the art and symbolism they represent, just not on me.
I love tats, I have 4! FI may get his done since hes a mechanic, and I told him its his choice. He won't be able to wear a ring at work, so he feels its justifiable - and it will be his first! I don't think i would only cuz my hands are sensitive and I know how bad they hurt. But I am so trying to get him to get an arm sleeve!! :)
I heard somewhere about a couple that tattooed each other's names underneath their actual wedding bands.. I've always thought it was really cute!
I just wanted to point out that a ring tattoo is not actually as permanent as your marriage hopefully will be. My aunt has several tattoos on her hands and feet, and ink does not stay well in these areas of the body. The colors bleed and fade quickly. Have you ever seen what tattoos look like on grizzled old sailors? Hand and foot tattos look like that after only a few years, not a lifetime.
The skin here overturns much faster and receives more daily wear and tear. My aunt has had her hand and foot tattoos reinked several times in the last 10 to 15 years and each time to keep it looking crisp she has had the outline enlarged slightly. On a few of them she has just given up and has faded blotchy marks instead (in addition to fading easily, they are also verrry painful because the skin there is so thin--no fat cushion). I don't think I will ever get a tattoo myself, but if I did, I would opt for somewhere on my body, not my hands or feet. It's a sentimental idea but I don't think for the long term it's a good idea.
@chelseamorning - definitely! You'd have to keep your hands VERY well moisturized to help the tattoo last longer, but it's not uncommon to have to have it re-done a lot. With my foot, the tattoo artist went 'deeper than usual' to make sure the color wouldn't fade - and man that was NOT pleasant! I wonder if they have to do that with hands too.
Although I voted that I DID get a wedding tattoo, I haven't yet, but my fiance have booked our favorite tattoo artist and are planning to get a tattoo on our ring fingers.
I have a problem with people saying "what if you get a divorce!" or a tattoo is just too permanent to symbolize marriage. My fiance and I DO NOT believe in divorce, and to us, marriage is more permanent to a tattoo.
When you go in for a tattoo, you've thought it out, planned it, dreamed about it. there is all this fear and anticipation for the event, and although it can be painful at times, it will always be there with you, experiencing life and growing old with you.
That is what I want my marriage to be like. Permanent and always with me.
Just to add...
I understand those who can't have or don't like tattoos. I'm a photographer/artist/college professor, so I have the ability to tattoo myself up to Kat Von D standards if I so choose. My fiance will also be a professor, but needs to keep his mostly covered. That is why we are going to get wedding bands as well. We just wanted something you can never take off.
@chelseamorning yea, actually I've had my side tattoo retouched already because of the detail, but our tattoo artist agreed to give us a discount on touchups because we will probably be going to him every year to have it redone.
I have no problem with the permanence of tattoos, because I plan on my marriage lasting forever, but tattoos are just not for me.
I think you are either a tattoo person, or you aren't. I am not, so I wouldn't get one anywhere on my body. That being said, while I don't personally care for tattoos, I have always said that there is nothing I feel so strongly about that I wanted to have it permanently dyed into my skin. So even though they aren't for me, I can't think of a better reason to get one. So for those of you who like tattoos and plan on getting one for your marriage, I say good for you! I hope your ink and marriage are beautiful!
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Nope, its not for me. I expect my marriage to last forever, so it has nothing to do with the permanency. I don't have any other tattoos because I don't like them on myself, so I wouldn't get a wedding tattoo either.
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