Real talk: couple tattoos have got to be one of the more delightful trends currently sweeping the (okay, not actually super mainstream) wedding scene. While they might remain controversial to some, for many people, tattoos are a perfect way to memorialize an important event in your life and can be a really emotional experience to have together, as you’re finalizing this massive commitment. Couple tattoos offer you a way to craft some “just the two of you” ink, that will last for the rest of your lives. And it can even be a way to permanently record your relationship values, right where you’ll see it every day. That said, this isn’t a post to convince you to get a tattoo—just to help you find a badass one. And you’ll want to make sure your partner is super on board with getting inked. But the great part of taking the couple tattoo route (versus the wedding ring tattoo route) is that if your relationship ends for any reason, your tattoo can serve as a memory for you, but not an outward symbol to the world of a marriage that you’re no longer in. In short, avoid names and dates (unless you’re tattooing yourself with “I love my Mama,” which we always fully support), and you’re golden.

Well, I guess there is one more caveat. GET YOUR PARTNER’S PERMISSION FIRST. This sound obvious, till you hear APW staffer Keriann‘s story:

I have a tattoo of a cluster of stars that I doodled, and my now-husband surprised me, um, three months into non-exclusive dating, by showing up at my work with a similar tattoo of a bunch of stars. (He’d swiped a piece of paper I’d been doodling on, and clearly it never occurred to me why.) While I obviously do not recommend surprising someone with a matching tattoo, we ended up married, so this story has a happy ending. I mean, thank God.

Let’s explore the beautiful world of couple tattoos, from matching tats, to two tats that form one amazing image, when matched together. (Just, you know, ask your partner first, okay?) Happy inking!

Nature-Inspired Tattoos

Photography and tattoo by kirsten makes tattoos

Don’t be a square. Cos’ that means you’re never a-round. – – #illustration #illustrative #line #linework #fineline #tattoo #blackwork #tattooart #artnerd #art #tattoodesign #floral #lavender #forgetmenot #romannumerals #teamdale #geometric #dotwork #simple #chronicink #ink #inked #instaart #instatattoo #toronto

A post shared by c h r i s t i n e p e x i n (@christinepexin) on Jun 6, 2017 at 7:09pm PDT

Matching fir tree couple tatts for the most outdoorsy couple I know, Sisley (@thepurelife_) and Ali (@alizare11). Thanks so much you guys!

A post shared by Kate Holley (@kat3roo) on Jul 15, 2016 at 2:21pm PDT

Left or right? Pick your favourite ❤ @stellatxttoo

A post shared by Tattoos X Travel (@justsmalltattoos) on Jun 8, 2017 at 4:24pm PDT

I love you so much babe, you means everything to me #tattoo #ink #girlfriend #couple #coupletattoo #always #boyswithtattoos #mountains #water #wave #sun #moon #love #loveart

A post shared by Tom (@tomillinn) on Jul 30, 2017 at 6:27am PDT

Oh deer!! #deer #redfoxtattoo #studioszerszeń #coupletattoo #watercoloursplash #watercolourtattoo

A post shared by studio szerszen (@studioszerszen) on Aug 1, 2017 at 1:07pm PDT

Traditional Tattoos

#traditionaltattoo #facetattoo #facetattoos #traditionalfacetattoo #tattoo #colortattoo #ladytattoo #gentlemantattoo #coupletattoo #parenttattoo #lady #nautical #nauticaltattoo #retrotattoo,

A post shared by K. Ray (@k.ray.art) on Jul 23, 2017 at 6:13pm PDT

Romantic tattoo #lovetattoo#coupletattoo#sweettattoo#tattoocolor#neotraditionaltattoo#neotraditionalisteurope#neotraditional#tattooitalia#tattoomagazine

A post shared by federica floro (@fedeflowa) on Jul 28, 2017 at 3:24am PDT

Bröllopsfjäril, baksida överarm #lucky7tattoo #nyköping #oldschooltattoo #traditionaltattoo #weddingtattoo

A post shared by Johan (@hokala) on Aug 2, 2017 at 3:42am PDT

Minimal couple Tattoos

Matching #ampersand #tattoos for Gloria and Laura today by @davidkafri To book in with him please email lhscbookings@gmail.com Walk ins welcome

A post shared by Love Hate Social Club (@love_hatelondon) on Dec 17, 2016 at 12:15pm PST

Always keep moving forward, together. >> Over the last few years, I’ve learned that life can be beautiful and messy all at the same time. Some days are complete perfection, and some days you’re simply surviving- it’s all just part of it. Life will inevitably consist of a few really hard days, uncertain situations, and at times, feel like absolute chaos. But, in the middle of that chaos, we’ve embraced it all together. Those hard moments have made us exactly who we are. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. So yeah, life can be tough- but so are we. #wheninnyc #nyc #travelwithlovely #beautifulmess #keepmovingforward #mylove #forallthingslovely

A post shared by Megan Runion (@meganrunionmcr) on Feb 16, 2017 at 11:05am PST

#2months #lovewins #unionecivile #civilunion #tattoo #coupletattoo #familytattoo #instatattoo

A post shared by Tomeu Canals (@tomeucanals) on Jul 6, 2017 at 2:26pm PDT

@Natashatattoo’s tattoos in the wild! • • • #tattoo #tinytattoo #finelinetattoo #coupletattoo #beautifultattoo #tattooing #amsterdam #amsterdamtattooshop #skate #bike #biketattoo #skatetattoo #tattooshop #tattooshopamsterdam #tattooamsterdam #amsterdamtattoo #lifestyle #natashastevie

A post shared by Queen Of Arts Tattooing (@queen.of.arts.tattooing) on Jul 24, 2017 at 12:31pm PDT

Happy wedding day, tattoos by @jonnyrhodestattoo and @truesoul98 #copenhagentattoo #peoplesarttattoo #copenhagen #tattoo #weddingtattoo #marriage #weddingday #girlswithtattoos

A post shared by Peoples Art Tattoo (@peoplesarttattoo) on Apr 20, 2017 at 7:22am PDT

Photography by Melissa Marshall via Junebug Weddings

Food-Inspired Tattoos

Matching avocados #tattoo #avocado #couplegoals #coupletattoo #minneapolis #minneapolistattoo #mplstattoo #mpls #colortattoo #realistictattoo #eternalink

A post shared by Black Cat Good Luck (@bcgl_tattoo) on Jul 11, 2017 at 1:27pm PDT

3 year wedding anniversary doughnuts for @giamarieyoung & @tr3v have an amazing day you two!!!! #keepitweirder #staysoft #ignorantstyle #ignorantstyletattoo #illustration #illustrator #zine #zines #boldlines #traditional #traditionaltattoo #boldtattoo #thicklines #QTTR #weirdlines #sfart #bayareaart #bayareatattoo #tattoo #sanfranciscotattoo #vgnink #blackandbluetattoo #food #foodtattoo #yummy #doughnuts #doughnuttattoo #doughnut

A post shared by Jess Koala (@jess_koala_tattoo) on Jul 20, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT

Matching mandarin slices for Dimitri and Maddy as a memory of how they first met I have time this week @thegrandillusiontattoo check my story for details!

A post shared by MissQuartz (@missquartz) on Jul 25, 2017 at 4:20pm PDT

Hehe#fusionink #cheyennetattooequipment #cheyennethunder #igisaj #igisajtattoo #pizza #pozzatattoo #armtattoo #coupletattoo #colortattoo #wristtattoo #szczecin #kostrzynnadodra #poznan #gorzowwielkopolski #zielonagora #

A post shared by Igi Saj (@igi.saj) on Jul 22, 2017 at 11:09am PDT

Gallery-Worthy Tattoos

@tanya_dsm ____________________ #artist#arts#tattoo#tattoos#tattooed#tattooartist#art#artwork#blackwork#blacktattoo#blackandgrey#dotwork#armtattoo#sleevetattoo#tattoolife#lineart#blackart#blackworkers#creative#bw#ink#inked#illustration#graphic#linework#tatuaje#tattooart#tattooist#bodyart#tattoodesign

A post shared by THE ART OF TATTOOING ✺ (@theartoftattooingofficial) on Dec 27, 2015 at 5:38am PST

Really enjoyed tattooing these two lovers yesterday. Thank you Yasmin & Michael and Please Shine On ! https://youtu.be/2PpemU7cpaM ———————————- franzgoesblue(at)hotmail(dot)com Dots & Shades Tattoo Studio Triq La Sengle Marsascala – Malta #loverstattoo #coupletattoo #kisstattoo #sun #moon #franzgoesblue #dotsandshadestattoostudio #marsaskala #marsascala #malta #maltatattoo

A post shared by Franz GoesBlue (@franzgoesblue) on Jul 7, 2017 at 1:11am PDT

BFF’s #matchingtattoos #pinkypromise #tattoo #tattoos #smalltattoos #bestfriends #matching #tattooart #emjaytattoo #blacktattoo #blackwork #blackworktattoo #blackworkartists #girlytattoo #promises #insidejoke #friends #friendstattoo #bff #sakuratattoo #leicestertattoo

A post shared by E M J A Y ॐ (@emjaytattoo) on Apr 13, 2017 at 1:25pm PDT

Palmtree Matching Tattoo #⃣#Equilattera #tattoo #tattoos #tat #tatuaje #tattooed #linework #tattooart #tattoolife #tattooflash #tattoodesign #palmtree #bestoftheday #miamitattoo #miami #mia #creative #florida #awesome #love #ink #art #design #nature #illustration #dotwork #colorful #miamitattoos #watercolor

A post shared by WAZ (@gerardowaz) on Feb 26, 2016 at 10:28am PST

Sweet & Simple Tattoos

❤️ . #weddinginspiration #love #criative #wedding #casamento #noivas #noivo #tattoo #inspiracoes #nice #ideiasparacasamento #yesido #instalove #inspiracao #bride #ilike #amor #loveit #tatuagem #photo #weddingtattoo #bride #truelove

A post shared by Eninha Campos – Designer (@eninhacampos) on Mar 18, 2017 at 1:41pm PDT

Twin twin fins for newly wed lovers “The Sharkeys” @jeshuasharkey @brookesharkey_ very nice. I’ll be up for settlers next time!

A post shared by Hand Poked Tattoos (@handpokesnorthshore) on Jul 31, 2017 at 4:53pm PDT

#tattoo

A post shared by Roberto rogolino artist (@roberto_rogolino) on May 24, 2016 at 12:53pm PDT

Follow my 2nd account for BIGGER tattoos: @inkspiringtattoos @inkspiringtattoos

A post shared by Tattoos X Travel (@justsmalltattoos) on Jul 18, 2015 at 8:37am PDT

The post Stunning Couple Tattoos That Will Stand the Test of Time appeared first on A Practical Wedding: We’re Your Wedding Planner. Wedding Ideas for Brides, Bridesmaids, Grooms, and More.