Warning! Do not leave this till last. The days of the simple engagement setting are over. And even when a bride has a Tiffany setting, she is still looking for a wedding ring that will fit it well.
Finding that perfect ring is going to be time consuming. Jewelers are carrying less and less wedding rings, because they're spending their money on engagement ring settings.
Sales people will often suggest that you put the engagement ring on the right hand. By doing this they give themselves a better chance at making a sale. But, this is very impractical for right-handed people and dangerous for the diamond, which although hard, is still a crystal that can chip.
Something that you are going to wear for the rest of your life deserves the right investment of time. If after you have been to all the jewelry stores possible and still haven't found the right ring, you might have to explore having one made.
If a couple is looking for a his/hers set, you will find that those rings tend not to complement engagement rings in general. Plus both of your tastes have to be accommodated. So giving yourself enough time is important whichever direction you go toward.
As a rule of thumb, 6 months to a year is a good timeframe. If you have an slightly unusual engagement ring you might consider starting even earlier.
Future articles will include -
How to find the right place for custom work
How to budget for wedding rings
How to care for your rings
Differences between 14k white, 18k white, and platinum
How to get the correct finger size