In Style, February 2001

Your mother was right: You deserve something that’s beautiful on the inside, as well as on the outside. That’s why many couples engrave messages in their wedding rings to personalize this traditional symbol of their union. The inscriptions can be as straightforward as Brad Pitt’s and Jennifer Aniston’s (each other’s first name and 2000, the year they wed) or as quirky as David and Courteney Cox Arquette’s reminder: “A deal’s a deal.” Some are simple–Whitney Houston’s and Bobby Brown’s read “Love, Bobby” and “Love, Whitney.” Others are more philosophical. Connie Selleca’s ring from John Tesh is inscribed “God did this.” And though the sentiment may be everlasting, the ring isn’t always. Giovanni Ribisi’s band was engraved with three stars symbolizing wife Mariah O’Brien’s universe, his universe and the one they share, along with this message in Italian: “To my husband for eternity.” Ribisi lost the ring and the replacement. But in some cases, both the romantic phrase and the union itself endure. Hume Cronyn had late wife Jessica Tandy’s ring engraved “You are the music to which my world is set.” They were married for almost 52 years.