If you think that all silver wedding bands are virtually the same, think again. They may all be similar in that they are bands of precious metal, but you can personalize the ring that you give to your spouse in a very special way. If you want to begin your marriage with a sweet surprise, engrave your mate's ring with a precious sentiment. Below are five ideas to consider:

A special message. You can personalize your silver wedding bands with a special message to your new spouse, which can include anything from the traditional "I love you" to a more detailed inscription. If you're in need of a few ideas, try "I do - today and always" or "Like this ring, our love has no end."

Your wedding date. The day of your wedding is special, and it's one that neither of you will ever forget. If you want to personalize your silver wedding bands, there's no better way than to engrave the date of your ceremony on the inside of the band.

Your names. To personalize something means to make it identifiable as belonging to a particular person. When it comes to silver wedding bands, the ultimate in personalization can be accomplished by engraving both your name and that of your new spouse on the inside of the band. You can include first names only, full names or even nicknames.

A meaningful date in your relationship. Whether it's the day of your first meeting, first date, first kiss or even the date of your engagement, personalizing your silver wedding bands with a date inscription that has significance in your relationship will be a wonderful way for you to celebrate your love.

If you are thinking of having your rings engraved, it's important to do so early enough to ensure they will be ready in time for the ceremony. It's also a good idea to allow enough time for possible corrections in case of a mistake. Depending on the time of year and the jeweler, engraving can take several hours or several weeks. Certain times of the year, including months featuring gift-giving holidays, are busier than others. If you have questions, speak with a local jeweler about his/her engraving policy and how much time would be needed to complete the job. Inscriptions will work on most traditional wedding bands, but the wider bands are especially easy to engrave due to the fact that the jeweler has more space to work with. When giving your preferred inscription to the jeweler, write it in legible print on a plain white piece of paper and leave it with your request. This will help to lessen the chance of a misprint or the need for correction.