The tradition of marriage changes with each passing year. Once, it was quite common for a person in a relationship to surprise his or her significant other by “popping the question” in a surprising way. While getting down on one knee and opening a concealed ring box might still be the norm for some, there are many more who prefer avoiding these surprises. In fact, it is quite common these days for couples to have a conversation about engagements far in advance. Specifically, the couples want to talk about the rings.
Whether you would prefer to keep your engagement a surprise or you think you may rather be involved with when and where the question will be asked, it can be useful to take time to have an open discussion about the rings. Give yourself a moment to explore some of these points and see what the right choice for your needs may be.
Plenty of Time
The longer you and your partner have been together, the more likely it is that one of you are thinking about marriage. While this might make sense, it can also be a problem when you have not yet had an open conversation about the topic. If your partner is ready to get engaged but you feel like you have a lot going on in the next year, you may not be eager to see your significant other break out a ring the next time you go out for a romantic dinner alone.
Having a discussion can help you to get through any uncomfortable scenarios where you do not feel ready to say “yes” to the question. After you have been with your partner for a year or so, it can be safe to broach the topic of marriage. Timing is everything when it comes to this conversation, so be careful with when you bring it up. Too soon and the person you’re dating might feel intimidated, too late and you could easily be faced with a partner who has made the choice for both of you.
Ring Things
Buying an engagement ring used to be a task left to the groom-to-be. According to traditions in locations like America, a man looking to propose to a woman was supposed to set aside roughly one month’s pay for the purpose of buying a ring. Though it is not as common to see this as it once was, some men these days will opt to go the extra mile and put aside as much as three months’ pay. What’s interesting is that this tradition started as a way of selling the rings themselves.
Sometime after World War II when America was attempting to revitalize its economy, diamond sales were spiking. Men returning from the war were eager to marry and start families. To help these young men spend their money, diamond marketing stated a man should spend a month’s salary on a ring. This marketing tactic made way more sense back then and you definitely should not feel like you need to adhere to it for your own needs.
Calculations
If you want to have a better idea of how much it will cost you to get the engagement ring you would prefer, there are a number of useful resources online. Calculators aimed at assisting couples with wedding finances can be found all over the internet, so be sure to look for one that is geared for engagement ring purposes and you will get the inside info you require.
Before popping the question, it can be useful to sit down and have a conversation with your partner about your overall goals for the future. When you are both on the same page, it can make your engagement a far more enjoyable period for all.
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