Every year, about 2 million people get married. That means that every day, approximately 6,000 weddings are occurring across the country!
With weddings come tried and true traditions. You can’t see the bride in her dress before the wedding day, you should spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring, and you should buy it alone. The thing is, people are bucking these traditions left and right.
Should the couple choose their engagement ring designs together, rather than letting the man handle it alone? In 2023, buying an engagement ring can and should be a joint decision. Tag along as we discuss why and how to do it.
Reasons You Should Choose Ring Designs Together
Wedding rings go back to the Neanderthals, before recorded history. Our nomadic ancestors would use ties of grass and twigs to symbolize loyalty and friendship. Though the practice has evolved, it has remained the same at its core.
As mentioned, a tradition has sprung up that the man buys the ring in secret. He chooses it, perhaps with the help of a confident, without the bride’s knowledge. A good practice, in most cases, but one that’s not without flaws.
Let’s discuss the reasons why it’s time to choose that ring together.
Surprise Proposals Are Going Extinct
Many people are skipping the surprise part. Just look at the many disastrous video-recorded public marriage proposals. Men make a big fanfare when presenting the ring, only to get a cringe-inducing rejection from a caught-off-guard bride.
Credit where credit is due, a surprise proposal is a sweet thing when it goes right. Who doesn’t love a teary-eyed girl crying accepting and putting it on?
Experts now recommend having candid conversations about marriage long before any proposal. Marriage is a huge decision, one that involves making life-changing choices. If marriage shouldn’t come as a surprise, neither should investing in a ring you plan to keep for life!
There May Be Financial Differences
Times are tough, and many of the financial traditions related to marriage are changing. In the past, people wouldn’t shy away from spending tens of thousands of dollars on their special day. Nowadays, many instead favor small, cheap ceremonies with a handful of friends.
The best engagement rings for certain couples won’t always be the silvery, diamond classics. You may, for financial reasons, decide to choose something more affordable.
A great example is the recent shift from natural diamonds to artificial ones. This gives you a beautiful diamond that is indistinguishable from naturally mined ones. Some people may still, however, want a natural diamond out of principle.
You can’t know what your bride-to-be opines unless you involve her! So, at least in terms of finances, consider shopping together rather than finding out later she’s picky.
Making financial decisions together is a huge part of marriage, so start with buying an engagement ring.
Your Partner Has a Preference
Some women dream of a huge diamond on their finger that glints at passersby from across the room. Others would be content with a horseshoe nail bent into a ring shape. The types of engagement rings girls want is a subjective matter.
It’s always a good idea to get someone’s feedback before giving them an expensive gift. Especially when it comes to rings! There are so, so many unique designs, colors, gemstones, and metals to choose from.
It’s a mistake to think that wedding rings are all more or less the same. Even if you go with the classic platinum and diamond, you have virtually infinite choices to choose from. Who knows, maybe your girl has her eye set on a beautiful blue diamond!
Granted, if you are in love with someone, it’s the thought that counts. A partner that loves you won’t make a stink about a ring regardless of how it looks. Still, it’s a good idea all around to let the person who will be wearing the thing 24/7 to have a seat at the table.
Sizing Matters
Suppose none of the above is an issue. You’ve got a ring, she knows you’re going to propose, and she won’t be picky about the design. There’s one thing you’ve forgotten, though: the sizing.
Everyone’s got a story of a friend whose ring turned into a Chinese finger trap without warning. Only after a ton of butter, string, and elbow grease, does the band come off. In extreme situations, that ring could cause serious health risks or present a hazard in the workplace.
Then you’ve got the opposite situation: the ring is too big. The bride has to stuff two fingers into it lest it fall into a drain and become the property of a sewer rat.
Of course, you can always have a ring fitted later on, and many people do years later as they lose or gain weight. All things considered, it’s best to just make sure it’s the right size beforehand.
You’d be surprised how difficult it is sometimes to get the right size. Those free online ring charts and measurements won’t always be quite right. Visit a professional who does this all day and custom-fit your band.
Types of Engagement Rings
Now that we’ve covered the reasons, let’s go in-depth with engagement rings. Here are a few types of classic ring styles for you to choose from.
Solitaire Rings
Solitaire is the classic engagement ring. They’ve got a single band and a single stone set on prongs. They include classic vintage designs and more trendy, modern variants.
Halo Rings
Halo rings are those rings with a single large diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds, i.e. a “halo.” They are very glittery and come in seamless and double-halo versions if you prefer a smaller band.
Pavé
These are the rings that have a series of small diamonds set near one another. You’ll see them on the band, on the sides of the band, and on the edges of the setting.
Buying an Engagement Ring
Buying an engagement ring is something you only do once in life, so it’s understandable if you’re nervous. Let’s do a quick quick overview of the qualities of the best engagement rings.
Four C’s: Color, Clarity, Cut, Carat
Diamonds are surprisingly complex for a gemstone. When you go into a jeweler, they will have you choose a diamond with the four C’s in mind.
Diamonds are not perfect, so they often have little imperfections that jewelers refer to as “inclusions.” Clarity is how few of these inclusions there are, and therefore how expensive the ring will be.
Diamonds are not always 100% transparent, and some diamonds have blue, red, or even a yellow color. Transparent diamonds may often have a yellowish tint, but the most valuable ones have no color at all.
The cut of the diamond refers to how the jeweler shaped it. Well-cut diamonds sparkle and shine. Those that don’t may have a dull appearance.
Last but not least, the carat. This is the weight of the diamond, which increases in price the bigger it gets.
Band Metals
In general, you are likely going to choose one of four options for the band’s metal. These are yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum. There are also two-tone and tricolor options.
In some cases, you choose the metal based on health reasons. Platinum is hypoallergenic, which reduces the risk of metal-related allergies. You may choose a metal color based on how it goes with the wearer’s skin tone or personal preference.
Diamond Alternatives
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but in this day and age, girls have a bigger friend group. Many ladies love rubies, aquamarines, sapphires, or emeralds. These diamond alternatives are gorgeous, precious, and still work with your budget.
Proposal Tips
So you’ve got the girl, and you’ve got a little felt-covered box that, when opened, will make her yours. It’s time to put a ring on it. Keep the following tips in mind.
Choose a Meaningful Moment
You don’t need an extravagant, film-worthy proposal. Just to make it meaningful. Dinner with the family is no less worthy than proposing during a scuba dive in Hawaii.
Consider in advance whether to do it in public, as this can induce some unwanted bride anxiety. Many prefer a private, one-on-one experience over one with an applauding crowd of strangers.
Capture the Moment
Whether you are alone or with friends, find some way to capture the magic. Set up an inconspicuous camera, or get a friend to record. Many enjoy re-watching this moment later on.
Don’t Lose the Ring
Thinking of hiding the ring in a glass of champagne, or proposing by the seaside? Think twice, choose a good location, and consider ring insurance. That’s a hefty investment, one you wouldn’t want someone to swallow or drop off the pier.
Get an Engagement Ring at Barkev’s
Bachelors, there’s no need to choose your ring designs without your love’s input. From financial to personal preference reasons, you should select it together. Know your four C’s, and plan the proposal well for an unforgettable engagement.
Barkev’s helps you find the best engagement rings from the comfort of your home. Use our ring creation tool to make a design that’s perfect for her.