The Marriage Tattoo

A marriage tattoo is a permanent symbol of your new marital status! Unlike a conventional wedding band, you can’t just slip it off and hide it in your pocket when times get tough! It’s a reminder of the pledge you’ve made – for better and for worse – to stand by your partner’s side.

So why are more and more couples choosing a marriage tattoo instead of, or alongside, traditional engagement rings and bands? Well, some say it’s because as marriage becomes more...ummm...(how can I put this gently)...temporary for certain couples, getting inked is very permanent. While a marriage certificate fades and rings tarnish, a tattoo is forever.

There is no set standard for what constitutes a marriage tattoo, but it stands to reason that you should choose a symbol that has a special meaning to your relationship. Common symbols of love include hearts, doves, Chinese symbols, an exchange of names etc.

Probably the most famous couple to do this is Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. While she had his name inked on her finger, he had hers put on his genitals. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is!!!

While names and traditional symbols are one way to go, I think it’s a much better idea to do something completely unique for just the two of you. If you find a great artist, he or she will be more than willing to work with you until the perfect design is created. Don’t rush into it! Make sure it’s something you’ll cherish forever...even if things don’t work out exactly as planned.

Many couples choose to get actual bands tattooed on their ring fingers instead of just a “normal” design (whatever that is in this case). This can be a plain band or an expression or date on the ring finger. This is the route actress Eva Longoria and Tony Parker chose. Tony has their wedding date on his ring finger in Roman Numerals. Seeing as how the couple is now divorcing, I think he may be rethinking that decision.

Colin Farrell and Portia Degeneres also both have inked designs dedicated to people they’re no longer with. It makes you think. Anyway, if you’re interested in some great photos, I recommend heading over to this site here.

While I do think the whole thing is a novel idea, I personally wouldn’t choose it for myself. I can’t quite (pardon the pun) put my finger on it, but it’s a little too untraditional for my tastes (I know, I know...). I like them on other people, just not on me!

I like my ring. I like the weight of it on my hand and I like the thought of passing it on to my daughter one day. There’s something magical and sentimental about a wedding band...something I couldn’t hope to replace with a needle and ink.

If you have a different opinion to mine (as I’m sure many of you do), please drop me and tell me about it! Include a picture of your marriage tattoo or band if you can! I would love to see it :)