Engagement rings?

LikeAnOcean

*update.. See my last post.

Thorns2010

Obviously it depends on the girl, but I was able to get a nice ring that she loves for a very good price. Why?? Because I didn't go with diamonds!!!

Now my situation was a little different in that I moved to Australia to be with her and to see if this would work out, with the knowledge that if I wanted to stay and be with her, we would have to get married before my 12 month Visa was up. So she knew I'd be asking, and she was fine without getting a ring, but I wanted to get her something anyway.

I was able to talk about it with her and *GASP* show her some ideas I was thinking of before I ordered! I decided on getting a ring with amethyst stones and ordered it from an online jewelry store. So while it might not be as 'fancy' as a store bought ring, it did the trick and was very affordable.

LikeAnOcean

Thorns2010 wrote:

Obviously it depends on the girl, but I was able to get a nice ring that she loves for a very good price. Why?? Because I didn't go with diamonds!!!

Now my situation was a little different in that I moved to Australia to be with her and to see if this would work out, with the knowledge that if I wanted to stay and be with her, we would have to get married before my 12 month Visa was up. So she knew I'd be asking, and she was fine without getting a ring, but I wanted to get her something anyway.

I was able to talk about it with her and *GASP* show her some ideas I was thinking of before I ordered! I decided on getting a ring with amethyst stones and ordered it from an online jewelry store. So while it might not be as 'fancy' as a store bought ring, it did the trick and was very affordable.

I could probably talk with her about it.

I mean, we've already talked about what we want at our wedding and how many children we are going to have. Maybe I should just ask her what kind of rings she likes. She knows the day is coming, I just think waiting until this summer to make it official feels right.

LikeAnOcean

Also, she's already told me her parents are saving money for our wedding..

From my understanding, weddings are expensive and I have never really thought about where the money comes from. I know my parents couldn't afford to give any money. If I contribute, I would probably wipe out half of my/our savings. :?



I'm cool with going down town and having a judge do it, but she wants the fancy, girlie, big wedding. :?

Jamminonthe1

Find a family member (living or deceased) with a spare diamond - I got the rock for my wife's ring from her aunt, who had her grandmother's ring. That saved a lot of dough, which helped, since we paid for our own wedding. It's amazing how you can drop nearly 30 grand on a "cheap" wedding in a half a day.

Best of luck!

redrock

LikeAnOcean wrote:

.... but it needs to be meaningful...

So you don't automatically need to think 'big shiny rock on gold band'? A custom ring made by a goldsmith/silversmith she likes? Or maybe consider newer materials (if she's that kind of girl) - titanium, tungsten carbide.... These incorporating a stone she really likes (which may be diamonds!).

There are a lot of options out there and they don't have to break the bank either.

faithfullale

Just go with your gut. Search around online and go to stores to see what style you like and thinks she will also. Then try to find that style at a price you want to spend. Definitely save your money if your planning on kids, home, etc. 3 kids, house sucks you dry. Need to have a good stash set aside for whatever may come up. Btw, I have 3 girls and already grooming them for destination small weddings. It's an important moment but only one moment in time and no need to put yourselves into financial strain right from the beginning. Good luck!! Trust yourself, you will pick a good one. I hope she is a PJ fan!!

DOWNer

I recommend checking out your local shops. With a smaller business, you'll get better service and value for your buck. You might find a cheap ring online, but they won't support you after the sale. Most local stores will size and set your stone at no extra charge with purchase. Also, if you miss the mark on style, you can always take your fiancee back to the store and exchange it for one she loves. Good luck!

LikeAnOcean

Jamminonthe1 wrote:

Find a family member (living or deceased) with a spare diamond - I got the rock for my wife's ring from her aunt, who had her grandmother's ring. That saved a lot of dough, which helped, since we paid for our own wedding. It's amazing how you can drop nearly 30 grand on a "cheap" wedding in a half a day.

Best of luck!

30 grand isn't exactly "cheap" :shock:


Looking online, it's closer to the higher end of a wedding cost I think.. I saw a few budget weddings for under 10k, but I don't think she'll be happy with that.

Is it normal just to let her parents take care of the bill? She's in small debt with no savings. I've got a good chunk of change saved, but that would wipe out any 10 to 20% I'd/ We'd want to put down on a home. :?

neilybabes86

just engaged what u need to know

neilybabes86

honestly..nowadays its popular to take her to pick it out...if u want

Indifference71

neilybabes86 wrote:

honestly..nowadays its popular to take her to pick it out...if u want

Yeah some of my friends have done that. When I bought the ring for my fiancé, I just knew the type of rings that she didn't like and took it from there.

comebackgirl

Try to get an idea of what she likes...a lot of girls like estate type rings or non-diamond options (pink sapphires, etc) that cost a hell of a lot less than the traditional engagement ring.

Good luck and congratulations in advance!

conman

does she have a sister or very close friends you can ask for help?


my brothers-in-law asked my other sisters for help when they were picking out a ring

Jamminonthe1

LikeAnOcean wrote:

Jamminonthe1 wrote:

Find a family member (living or deceased) with a spare diamond - I got the rock for my wife's ring from her aunt, who had her grandmother's ring. That saved a lot of dough, which helped, since we paid for our own wedding. It's amazing how you can drop nearly 30 grand on a "cheap" wedding in a half a day.

Best of luck!

30 grand isn't exactly "cheap" :shock: :?

For 210 people on an afternoon, yes it is... though that did include our honeymoon. Still, if our wedding was at night, easily 50 grand.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Fuck that...

My wedding cost me $1000...If that

And the 2 of us went out for Deep Dish Pizza after the ceremony.....

hehehe

Indifference71

Jamminonthe1 wrote:

LikeAnOcean wrote:

30 grand isn't exactly "cheap" :shock: :?

For 210 people on an afternoon, yes it is... though that did include our honeymoon. Still, if our wedding was at night, easily 50 grand.

Our wedding reception is on a Saturday night for about 230 people...should be right around $30K....crazy how much this stuff costs.

Jamminonthe1

Indifference71 wrote:

Jamminonthe1 wrote:

LikeAnOcean wrote:

30 grand isn't exactly "cheap" :shock: :?

For 210 people on an afternoon, yes it is... though that did include our honeymoon. Still, if our wedding was at night, easily 50 grand.

Our wedding reception is on a Saturday night for about 230 people...should be right around $30K....crazy how much this stuff costs.

Yeah, that's what I get for living too close to New York City...

LikeAnOcean

neilybabes86 wrote:

honestly..nowadays its popular to take her to pick it out...if u want

Doesn't that ruin the surprise?.. or because we've already discussed our future, is the surprise is the exact moment I do it then?

LikeAnOcean

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

Fuck that...

My wedding cost me $1000...If that

And the 2 of us went out for Deep Dish Pizza after the ceremony.....

hehehe

I agree with this.


I told her that the best wedding I ever went to served White Castle........... she gave me the dirtiest look and then proceded to talk about how she will have two different dresses for the wedding and reception. :shock:


If we can get this thing under 10k I will throw in a couple of k and feel better about it.

rival.

working in hotels for 10 years and i see plenty of wedding bills and costs.

you can be looking at $130 - $160 a plate for a "good" package (salad, app, entree, desert). but then there are obviously additional costs for length and stations during cocktail hour, plus the cost of an open bar. before you know it you could be in the $20K range before you even factor in a band, photographer and all the other crap.

my only suggestion is keep the guest list VERY reasonable. no need to invite your co-worker's wife's sister's cousin.

and i do suggest having it at a hotel. one stop shop for you and your guests. no need to worry about paying for a shuttle/transportation, people can get as loaded as they like. plus you should (depending on hotel chain) get a comp room for you and your wife, and usually they throw in a free room for both the parents of the groom and parents of the bride.

the hotel business is still limping along, so the prices can be very negotiable.

good luck!