Have you ever wondered you ever wondered why we Americans put the wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand? Well, it’s because of an ancient Greek belief that a vein in this finger ran directly to the heart.

As a Maui wedding photographer who’s worked with many grooms, I’ve heard some grumbling about having to buy both an engagement ring and a wedding ring.  What I’ve learned is having to buy both rings can be blamed on Pope Innocent III, who instituted a waiting period between engagement and marriage in the 13th century and also insisted that a ring be used in the wedding ceremony. Before that, rings were used to seal an engagement only (as well as other important agreements).