Engagement: Do you like to be surprised or do you want some say?

[Cindy B]

I had no input on my engagement ring, and I would not have done it any other way.

It was a complete and total suprise, and it is wonderful.

Its not the huge rings that you see nowadays, but as we were both students, it is /was wonderful.

He went, picked it out, and paid for it, all without me knowing a single thing.

 

[Aimeedyan]

DH and I dated forever, it seems, so at some point in our relationship, we just naturally started to check out jewelry stores and see what each other liked. Nothing planned, just happened.

My Dad was working for Zales Corporate at the time of our engagement, so he and dad worked together at ordering my ring through them... HUGE discount (only way I got what I really wanted btw).

Once they started schemeing, I was out of the loop and honestly didn't want to know when/how. I am glad I got to tell him what I wanted, though, I know many many women who aren't 100% happy with their ring, and though they love that their DH chose it without them, everyone has different taste and there is nothing wwrong with wanting something perfect for you.

DH waited, it seems, like forever before proposing after that. He held onto the ring for a few weeks...we mutually decided we wanted to marry, I told him I felt we were meant for each other, and the ball was in his court to choose the timing.

In the end, I have a crappy proposal but that didn't matter... he surprised me, did it HIS way, and my ring was gorgeous.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I would like to have a surprise proposal without a ring and then we can go together to pick out an engagement ring.

 

[WDWHound]

I got around the problem by getting a inexpensive temporary ring so that I would have a ring to propose with. It was a small gold ring with a little topaz stone. The idea was that Mandy could wear that ring until we picked out one she liked together. Only problem was, she didn't want to take off the topaz ring. She said that was the one I proposed with and that was the one she wanted to wear.I finally convinced her that the little ring I originally bought was well enough made to be worn for years, but it was a very near thing. I ended up proposing again with the ring we picked out together so that it would be the one I proposed with.

 

[Pam]

My DW picked out her ring and I still managed to surprise her. How? Well, she thought she was picking out the ring for a future engagement months down the road. Instead, I went back the next day and ordered the ring (they custom made it). I proposed a couple weeks later.

Sort of what happened here. DH and I were discussing marriage - my Mom was planning on having her engagement/wedding rings made into a pendant for me for my birthday. She gave DH the rings instead and he got new settings. But I thought the presentation of the engagement ring would be a ways down the road. Instead, he surprised me on my birthday. After making me dig through a dog food bag, a tin, a box, etc.

 

[onecoolmama]

I had the most horrible proposal ever. You all would be shocked...to this day, my friends are amazed that I put up with the way it was done.

So, DH knows he owes me a real proposal...and I want it to be a suprise this time.

I did pick out my ring.the first time..the next time I wont.

 

[danacara]

I would love to be asked without the ring, and then given the opportunity to pick what I liked. If I'm going to wear it every day for the rest of my life, I would like at least some say in the look of it. That's just me.

 

[sk!mom]

I like surprises! I was surprised when DH proposed and he picked the ring- it was a cherished gift from him. I was, also, surprised with both of my children. We chose not to know the sex. I will always cherish the delightful surprises that life brings.

 

[mommytutu]

DH took me ring *looking*. I got to try on different rings and he got to see what I liked. There were three that I absoluetly loved. He went back and made the final decision on which ring and then surprised me with a proposal. Actually, I had a little idea about the proposal because my mom told me that my dad and Jason had "the talk". But even though I had an idea that he would ask me I was totally surprised when he stood up and announced to the whole restuarant that he loves me and wants me to marry him. The people at the table behind bought us a bottle of champange and the people in front of us were in from out of town and started taking pictures of us.

Crissy

 

[Maleficent13]

Originally posted by WDWHound
I got around the problem by getting a inexpensive temporary ring so that I would have a ring to propose with. It was a small gold ring with a little topaz stone. The idea was that Mandy could wear that ring until we picked out one she liked together. Only problem was, she didn't want to take off the topaz ring. She said that was the one I proposed with and that was the one she wanted to wear.

LOL! This would totally be me!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Originally posted by jkovick
I had no input at all in my engagement ring and really I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was a complete surprise when DH proposed! My ring is gorgeous and the fact that he spent the time and effort to try and find a design (the main stone was his Grandmother's) makes it all that much more sweet and romantic. I love that he had a vision for it.

This was me too! My solitare (larger than I would have chosen) used to be one of a pair of diamond earrings belonging to his grandmother. While he was overseas for 4 months, he conspired with his grandfather to reset the stone into a ring for me. He then proposed about a month after he came home. I had no idea!! We later picked out our wedding bands together.