The bridal guides and etiquette books will tell you the wedding ring should be 'closest to your heart'. Thus during the ceremony you should slip your engagement ring onto your right hand and your groom will slide the wedding ring on your now bare left at the appropriate moment.
This tradition perhaps (I really have no clue) started when only bands were exchanged.
I, for one, have followed my own perspective. When my boyfriend asked me to marry him and presented me with his engagement ring, I was a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y thrilled. Not only was he telling me he loved me but he was pledging to spend his life with me. That is such a monumental declaration. I accepted his proposal and proudly wore the symbol of his promise.
During the exchange of vows I bowed to convention and had a bare ring finger on my left hand. But after we left the sanctuary, I re-arranged my rings by stacking my engagement ring THEN wedding ring on my hand. It felt good to wear the two pieces in the order in which they were given. The wedding ring sealed our new status as a husband and wife, topping the first ring which was his initial gift.
It's interesting to watch the ladies faces as we talk about it. Some reflect surprise, some doubt and others agreement. I'll keep spreading my theory -- the converts will come!
