Can I Propose Without an Engagement Ring?

Are you planning to propose? Congratulations! Proposing to your partner is an intimate, special, and personal decision that should reflect your love and your shared values. Weddings and engagements come with all kinds of traditions, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow them. If you’re considering proposing without an engagement ring for any number of reasons, our answer is: go for it! In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why you might want to propose without a ring, alternative proposal ideas, and tips on how to find jewelry post-proposal if that’s something you’re interested in. Let’s get started. 

Reasons to Propose Without a Ring

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to propose to your partner without a ring. Here are just a few:

• Financial considerations: Engagements and weddings have become expensive. While there’s no expected amount of money you should or should not pay for an engagement ring, if your budget is tight, you might just not want to spring for a ring right now. And that’s okay! If you want to save your money for a wedding, a honeymoon, a house, or just for your lives together, this is a totally valid reason to propose without an engagement ring.
• Desire for partner input on ring choice: Maybe you do want to get your partner an engagement ring, but you have no idea what they want. Especially if they have a specific style, you want to be sure you’re getting them something that makes them feel like themselves. An engagement ring is a symbol of promise and love that they’ll likely want to wear daily, so it makes lots of sense that you’d want your partner to adore the ring that they wear.  
• Personal objections to traditional rings: If you and your partner don’t want to conform to antiquated wedding and engagement traditions, that’s absolutely your right! Your wedding, proposal, and engagement should feel like a reflection of your values and your love for one another — getting jewelry doesn’t have to factor into the equation if it’s not for you. Or maybe your partner just doesn’t wear jewelry – getting them an expensive ring that they’ll never wear doesn’t make any sense. There are plenty of other ways to propose — read on to explore them.

Alternative Proposal Ideas

If you’re planning to propose without a ring (for any reason), there are still plenty of ways to make it special, personal, and meaningful. Instead of getting down on one knee with a diamond, you can propose with a symbolic gesture. You could take your partner on a special trip or propose in a place that’s meaningful to the two of you. Or you could propose over a special meal, while playing a significant song, or by something exciting like a scavenger hunt. If rings aren’t your partner’s thing, then you could propose with another piece of jewelry that they’ll wear — a necklace, or a bracelet. This is a loving moment between the two of you, so make it personal in the way that rings true to your relationship. 

Three birthstone necklaces from our sister brand, Miki & Jane.

Communication is Key

As with most everything else in a relationship, communication about your expectations for your proposal is important. You want to make sure that you and your partner are on the same page, no matter what. If your partner definitely wants an engagement ring, but money’s a little tight right now, have a conversation about planning for a future ring together after your engagement, or opting for a more affordable ring for the time being. Or, if your partner wants a say in their engagement ring but still wants to be surprised by the proposal, be sure to clarify that you will be picking out a ring together — you can surprise your partner with a pre-scheduled appointment to look at rings together right after you’ve popped the question. 

If you know your partner won’t wear jewelry or doesn’t want to have a traditional engagement ring, be sure to have a conversation about what other ways you both want to honor your marriage and partnership. Entering into a lifetime commitment together means you’ll want to have many discussions about values and priorities — an engagement ring is just one of the many topics to explore together. 

Post-Proposal Ring Shopping

If you do decide to get a ring after you propose, picking one out together can be special and romantic. It can also ensure that your partner gets exactly the ring of their dreams without having to stress about your guesswork. You can visit a shop together, or even work with a jeweler to custom design your own dream engagement ring. If you want to shop or design a ring with your partner, you can always propose with a placeholder ring to act as a stand-in for the one you’ll choose together. 

At the end of the day, your proposal is about committing to your partner for the rest of your life, not the jewelry you pick out to symbolize that bond. However you decide to propose, it’s important to stay true to your values and speak from the heart. Make a choice that reflects your relationship, and have fun on the journey to begin your lives together! If you do decide to design a ring together, get in touch with our team at Quick Jewelry Repairs. We can help you dream up your ideal ring and custom make it to suit your partnership.