Engagement Rings

This topic causes me to have anxiety attacks--how do I know what she wants? How do I know I am getting her a quality diamond? And then there is creating the moment--should I do it someplace where there will be an audience or should we be in seclusion? I have the idea of rowing out in the middle of a quiet lake with a picnic basket equipped with a bottle of champagne and then bring out the ring.

SoWal, SoWal, SoWal...

Ask her on SoWal, then get her to sign up, and check out the Message Board.

SoWal, SoWal, SoWal...

Ask her on SoWal, then get her to sign up, and check out the Message Board.

That is a good idea...then we can break the record of the most people on these boards at one time, without a menacing hurricane.

That is a good idea...then we can break the record of the most people on these boards at one time, without a menacing hurricane.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

My husband asked me last year just before Christmas. The setting was outstanding and it was just us. Personally, I liked the seclusion without others around. It was very romantic!

When purchasing a ring, you are looking for clarity, clarity, clarity! A woman wants a ring that will shine and look like glass. There are some that are less than the best and look a little dull. There are many different shapes and styles these days.

My hubby proposed WITHOUT the ring, then let me pick out what I wanted. I REALLY liked that idea. I have very small hands and only wear a size 4 ring, therefore, it made it more difficult in finding the right set of rings.

OH, most importantly, propose when she LEASTS expects it! On a major holiday or birthday or something is too suspicious!

BEST WISHES

SoWal, SoWal, SoWal...

Ask her on SoWal, then get her to sign up, and check out the Message Board.

And then we can all plan your wedding! You know we like weddings. And babies. And dogs. And the beach. And food. And cocktails.

Whew- you better get busy bsmart!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

My husband asked me last year just before Christmas. The setting was outstanding and it was just us. Personally, I liked the seclusion without others around. It was very romantic!

When purchasing a ring, you are looking for clarity, clarity, clarity! A woman wants a ring that will shine and look like glass. There are some that are less than the best and look a little dull. There are many different shapes and styles these days.

My hubby proposed WITHOUT the ring, then let me pick out what I wanted. I REALLY liked that idea. I have very small hands and only wear a size 4 ring, therefore, it made it more difficult in finding the right set of rings.

OH, most importantly, propose when she LEASTS expects it! On a major holiday or birthday or something is too suspicious!

BEST WISHES

Bsmart,listen to Sunny D!!! Great suggestions! This is very exciting, keep us posted! :clap_1:

If she has a good sense of humor and you guys laugh a lot together (I hope so -- it'll sure help down the road), consider popping the question with a plastic or obviously fake ring. Then tell her that you want to pick out the ring with her and take her the next day.

I agree with the clarity point. My hubby and I were engaged just out of college, and he didn't know what to do, so he had his sister and mom pick out a ring for me at the diamond district in New York. They are kind of princessy (and I am definitely NOT) and felt that every woman wants a big diamond. Well, I got a big one, 1.6 carats, but it is very flawed. I would have rather had a more special, smaller stone.

Get her a small but quality ring if your budget isn't that big, which it usually is not at your age. And that is just fine. But keep in mind that perhaps in 10 years she will want an upgrade, when you can better afford it, and together you can figure out what to do with the stone from the "original" ring.

I don't know what to do about mine. I'm kind of stuck with a big stone with black flecks in it. I picked out a 10-year anniversary band of high quality that makes the ring look better, but I think I'd still like to replace my engagement ring eventually. Hard to bring up and hard to do because this one does have a lot of sentimental value.

So I would definitely choose quality over size if I were you. Best wishes bsmart! And keep us updated.

This topic causes me to have anxiety attacks--how do I know what she wants? How do I know I am getting her a quality diamond? And then there is creating the moment--should I do it someplace where there will be an audience or should we be in seclusion? I have the idea of rowing out in the middle of a quiet lake with a picnic basket equipped with a bottle of champagne and then bring out the ring.

First of all, don't buy her ring at the mall! Start asking around for a reputable jeweler. Have you not looked at rings together?
I saw something cute yesterday that I thought would make a great proposal--M&M's does custom printing on M&M's if you order them, and you could get "Will you marry me?" printed on them! :clap_1:

This topic causes me to have anxiety attacks--how do I know what she wants? How do I know I am getting her a quality diamond? And then there is creating the moment--should I do it someplace where there will be an audience or should we be in seclusion? I have the idea of rowing out in the middle of a quiet lake with a picnic basket equipped with a bottle of champagne and then bring out the ring.

When are you proposing to me?

Now, you have to pop the ? on SoWal. Everyone want to see her expression.

Look at rings together! My fiance and I were engaged in August, but looked at rings a few months before then. He wanted to know exactly what I wanted, but I wanted to be surprised and wanted him to choose which one he wanted for me, so we went to a few places and I picked out 3 rings that I really liked and then he chose from there.

We went on a canoe trip and he asked me while we were on the bank, having a picnic. Couldn't believe he'd taken the ring out on a boat! The trip wasn't exactly what he had in mind and turned out a little differently than he expected, but now it's a story that's exclusively ours. Whatever you do will be YOURS, and that's what matters!

Congratulations!

Look at rings together! My fiance and I were engaged in August, but looked at rings a few months before then. He wanted to know exactly what I wanted, but I wanted to be surprised and wanted him to choose which one he wanted for me, so we went to a few places and I picked out 3 rings that I really liked and then he chose from there.

We went on a canoe trip and he asked me while we were on the bank, having a picnic. Couldn't believe he'd taken the ring out on a boat! The trip wasn't exactly what he had in mind and turned out a little differently than he expected, but now it's a story that's exclusively ours. Whatever you do will be YOURS, and that's what matters!

Congratulations!

I knew you'd have something to say about this one! ;-)
Hey, lucky, how do you like my 'tar?

I knew you'd have something to say about this one! ;-)
Hey, lucky, how do you like my 'tar?

How could I not say something?! It's too fresh

I didn't know who it was right at first, but I like it! Are you listening to him more?

By the way bsmart, I suggest seclusion. That was about the only thing I made known, that I didn't want a public proposal! But, you know her better than we do, so you can gauge that.

I didn't know who it was right at first, but I like it! Are you listening to him more?

Just looking at him more... ;-)

Just looking at him more... ;-)

HELLO...who is that dude?

HELLO...who is that dude?

Sufjan Stevens. He's a musician. His plan is to write an album for each state. Check him out on iTunes!

Sufjan Stevens. He's a musician. His plan is to write an album for each state. Check him out on iTunes!

State of Mind...or State of the Union?

HELLO...who is that dude?

There's just something about a man holding an oboe, isn't there? ;-)

State of Mind...or State of the Union?

The latter; so far he's done Michigan and one of your favorite states--Illinois!

The latter; so far he's done Michigan and one of your favorite states--Illinois!

Oh, I see...it's like the quarters! That is strangely...awesome!

Oh, I see...it's like the quarters! That is strangely...awesome!

It is kind of wild, but Illinoise has done really well. His concerts resemble pep rallies, people all dressed up and such. The song titles have really long names, too.