You bought matching bracelets. Now you need to figure out what to put on them.
This isn’t about finding perfect words. It’s about picking something that means something to both of you. Something that fits on a small piece of metal. You might want it sentimental, funny, or so personal that nobody else gets it. Here’s what you need to know.
Character Limits Matter
Before you start writing poetry, you need to know the limits. Most bracelets fit around 20 characters. Some can do 6-20 words depending on the size. More text means smaller letters.
What fits where:
Bracelet Type | Character Limit | What Works |
---|---|---|
Slim bar | 15-20 characters | Initials, dates, short words |
Wide cuff | 30-40 characters | Short phrases, coordinates |
ID-style | 20-30 characters | Names and dates |
Skinny cord | 10-15 characters | Initials, symbols, dates |
You’ll need to cut things down. That’s okay. Short can be more powerful anyway.
The Classics
Initials and Names
Simple. Timeless. Everyone knows it’s personal.
Try these:
- J + M
- J.M. ∞ A.K.
- James & Morgan
- J ❤ M
- JM + AK
Skip the boring ampersand if you want. Use a heart, infinity sign, or just a dot.
Also Read: How to Wear a Nameplate Necklace: Style Guides and Choose Your Perfect Piece
Important Dates
Dates work because they’re personal without being too mushy.
Format options:
- 06.14.2023
- XIV.VI.MMXXIII (Roman numerals look fancy)
- 06/14/23
- Since 2023
- Est. 2023
- 14.06 (skip the year if you both know it)
Pick a date that matters:
- First date
- Wedding day
- When you moved in together
- When you met
- Engagement day
- A trip you took together
Coordinates
This one’s subtle. Pick a place that matters to you. Nobody else will know what it means.
Find your coordinates: Go to latlong.net and type in your location.
Format examples:
- 40.7580° N, 73.9855° W
- 40°45’N 73°59’W
- 40.7580, -73.9855 (shortest version)
Places to consider:
- Where you first met
- Where you got engaged
- Your favorite vacation spot
- Your home
- Either hometown
- A place you want to visit together
Short Phrases
Keep them brief. Keep them meaningful.
Romantic:
- Forever & Always
- You & Me
- My Person
- Always Yours
- Better Together
- Still You
- My Home
- My Heart
- Now and Forever
- All of Me
- To Infinity
- Love You More
Playful:
- Player 1 / Player 2
- His Queen / Her King
- The Trouble / The Double
- Worth the Wait
- Finally Mine
- Caught Ya
- My Favorite Weirdo
- Partners in Crime
Adventurous:
- Enjoy Adventure – Remember Home
- Let’s Get Lost
- Adventure Awaits
- Explore Together
- Wanderlust + You
Get Creative
Inside Jokes and Nicknames
This is where it gets good. Pick something only you two understand.
Examples:
- Pizza Forever
- Taco Tuesday
- That nickname you call each other
- A line from your favorite show
- That weird thing you always say
- Your future pet’s name
Song Lyrics or Quotes
Pick a line from a song that matters to you.
Tips:
- Make sure it works by itself
- Keep it short (you’ll have to edit)
- Pick something that won’t feel dated later
- Stay universal, not too specific
Examples:
- “All of Me”
- “Still the One”
- “My Best Friend”
- “You’re My Home”
- “Love of My Life”
Some jewelers won’t engrave exact copyrighted lyrics. Paraphrase if you need to.
Matching But Different
Each bracelet gets half the message.
Split message ideas:
- You’re My / Best Friend
- I Love / You More
- His Beauty / Her Beast
- The Sun / The Moon
- Always / Forever
- My Today / My Tomorrow
- First Half / Better Half
- Missing Piece / Found You
Question and answer:
- Where? / Here
- When? / Always
- Why? / You
- Ready? / Let’s Go
Just Symbols
Sometimes you don’t need words.
Popular options:
- ∞ (infinity)
- ❤ (heart)
- & (ampersand)
- ~ (tilde)
-
- (plus sign)
- = (equals)
- ★ (star)
- ↑ (arrows)
Personal symbols:
- Zodiac signs
- Birthstones
- Religious symbols
- Math symbols (∈ or ⊂)
How to Create Your Engraving
Step 1: Brainstorm
Write down everything. Don’t worry about length yet.
Think about:
- Your best memories
- Running jokes
- What you call each other
- Songs that matter
- Places that matter
- Your future plans
Step 2: Count Characters
Use charactercountonline.com to check the length.
Spaces count. Periods count. Everything counts.
Step 3: Cut It Down
Too long? Here’s how to fix it:
- Drop words: “I will love you forever” → “Love You Forever” → “Forever Yours”
- Use symbols: “You and Me” → “You & Me” → “U & M”
- Abbreviate: “Since June 2023” → “Since 6/23” → “Est. 2023”
- Drop punctuation: “You’re my person.” → “You’re My Person” → “My Person”
Step 4: Test It
Before you commit:
- Write it on tape and wrap it around the bracelet
- Does it look crowded?
- Say it out loud
- Wait a day. Still love it?
- Show your partner if you’re deciding together
Step 5: Double-Check
Typos are forever.
Check:
- Spelling (especially names)
- Dates are correct
- Symbols look right
- Spacing works
- Capital letters where you want them
Ideas by Relationship Stage
New Relationships (Under 1 Year)
Keep it lighter:
- Your initials with a symbol
- The date you met
- “New Adventure”
- “Chapter One”
- First date coordinates
- Something about your shared hobby
Established Couples (1-5 Years)
You can go deeper:
- Anniversary in Roman numerals
- Inside jokes you’ve built
- “Home is You”
- “My Favorite”
- Trip coordinates
- Future plans
Long-Term Partners (5+ Years or Married)
Be as sentimental or weird as you want:
- Wedding date
- “Still You” or “Always You”
- Your weirdest inside joke
- Milestone markers
- Home coordinates
- “My Forever Person”
What Not to Do
- Too much text: If you have to squint, it’s too long. Small font looks bad.
- Trendy phrases: Will “Bae” or “Lit” matter in five years?
- Copying others: Make it yours. Not something from Pinterest.
- Private info: Don’t engrave your social security number. Really.
- If you’re unsure: Keep thinking. Don’t settle.
Quick Templates
Fill these in to make something unique:
- Location formula: [Place or coordinates] + [symbol] + [date] Example: “Paris ∞ 08.15.22”
- Completion formula: [Quality 1] + & + [Quality 2] Example: “Wild & Free” or “Brave & True”
- Milestone formula: [Event] + [Date in Roman numerals] Example: “Forever XVIII.V.MMXXIII”
- Team formula: [Your initial] + [symbol] + [Their initial] + [team word] Example: “S ❤ J Squad”
Making the Choice
Pick something that matters to you two. Not Instagram. Not your friends. You.
The best engravings aren’t always poetic. Sometimes it’s just initials. Sometimes it’s a date. Sometimes it’s that random thing you said on date two that stuck.
Trust yourself. If it feels right when you picture looking at it in three years, it’s right.
Helpful Tools
For coordinates:
- Latlong.net
- Google Maps (right-click for coordinates)
For counting characters:
- Character Count Online
- Word processors (Word, Google Docs)
For Roman numerals:
To test length: Write it on paper the size of the bracelet space (1-2 inches). If it looks cramped on paper, it’ll look worse engraved.
Final Thoughts
Couple bracelets are physical reminders of your relationship. They’re not about perfect words or big gestures. They’re about carrying part of your story with you.
Pick your initials, a date, coordinates, or that weird inside joke. The best engraving is the one that makes you both smile.
Don’t overthink this. Pick something that feels like your relationship. Romantic, funny, or boring-simple. All work if they’re true to you.
Make your choice. Double-check the spelling.