Cameron Marks on Romantic Proposals

Planning to Propose?

Wedding season is upon us which can only mean one thing – lots of weddings. As happy couples around the country exchange their vows, the female guests in the congregation start giving their beaus that look; the one that varies between a dewy-eyed, ‘I wish that was us’, to a rather more straight forward, ‘When will that be us?’.

Many would-be-grooms take the hint and start planning. I see so many young guys who are overwhelmed about the prospect of getting engaged and buying a ring without their girlfriends’ approval. Unfortunately, all the worrying that goes into it really takes the romance out of it.

Fool-proof tips to inject love and romance into your proposal:

• Set a budget – Two to three months’ salary is a good starting point. Once you have set a budget, stick to it

• Find out what kind of diamond she wants – I recommend buying the diamond and having it set very simply. The act of giving of the ring, without the girl being involved, brings back the romance. Then, once she says yes, you can come back in as a couple and the bride-to-be can design her own setting. This also helps you stick to the budget.

• Get the size right.

• Don’t give her your Grandmother’s ring – Make sure you give your bride-to-be the option to change the setting of an heirloom. Have a jeweller look at the setting to make sure it’s safe to be worn. In most cases family heirlooms should only be worn on special occasions. They’re generally not ideal as engagement rings unless they’re redesigned.
  


• Avoid antique rings – An antique ring is not going to last. The settings have already had wear. If you want a ‘forever’ ring and have your heart set on an antique look, get a ring designed that is identical to the antique ring you love. It will be much more resilient.
  
  
• Don’t buy an engagement ring with pearls or semi-precious stones – Speak to your jeweller about your options but some stones are too soft and will get damaged.
  


• Always buy a gold or platinum setting – These are the most durable metals and you can always polish them up so they look brand new.

Tips for after the engagement:

• Don’t take the ring off – A lot of rings go missing because people take them off. Washing up or gardening will not damage the ring if it’s been made correctly. Try to keep them on as much as possible.
  


• Get the ring cleaned – Most jewellers offer this as a free service. It will keep your ring looking brand new.
  


• Update your insurance – Make sure you update your house and contents to include the engagement ring.