Engagement Proposal Stories

Getting down on one knee and blurting some maudlin words as the man holds forth a ring is the most fascinating and prevalent way to propose a wedding.

Traditionally, when a couple gets engaged the man buys the woman an engagement ring as a symbol of their love and union. If the woman accepts, she wears the ring throughout the engagement. Failing to accept the ring means that the woman declines the proposal.

The tradition of giving an engagement ring dates back to the Classical era when there was believed to be a vein running straight from what is now known as the left "ring finger" to the heart. The most common type of engagement ring is a diamond solitaire.

It is interesting to know that, Diamonds were also thought to act as a charm to protect the woman and increase her husband's love for her.

Apart from diamond, plain bands are still worn as engagement rings by both men and women in many countries, including Denmark, Germany, and Sweden.

But in most of the countries, the traditional engagement rings calls for the ring to be expensive as a symbol of the man's commitment, and many engagement rings are truly impressive.

Jewish Proposal

A Jewish engagement custom is that the man proposes the woman by sliding the ring in her index finger and the would-be groom has to break a glass after his lady accepts his ring. After the man steps on the glass with his right foot, the guests shout out "Mazel tov" to wish the couple good luck.

Indian proposal

In India, the family of bridegroom makes a formal proposal to the family of the bride. In very traditional circles, the couples themselves are not involved in the process at all. But with the change in time and fashion the man proposes to the girl of his choice by going down on his knees and presenting a beautiful ring; mostly diamond with the golden words "Will you marry me?" When she accepts his proposal, he slides the ring in the girl's left hand's ring finger, and they decide to get married. Arranged marriages are still very common in India. Role of heavy jewellery is prominent in all wedding customs followed in India from proposing to engagement till marriage ceremony.

In India heavy jewellery plays a lot of roles even after the marriage has been fixed.

Chinese Proposal

 In Chinese culture, a wedding symbolises the joining of two families, not simply the joining of a couple. Today, many proposals in China follow the Western tradition of presenting the woman with a diamond ring. There are still many traditional elements incorporated into Chinese proposals, however, such as the woman taking the man to meet her family, and the man seeking the favour of the woman's family before proposing. After a man proposes to a woman, it is common that the two families officially acknowledge the event and give the blessing.

Once a couple in China gets engaged, they wear their rings on the right hands and then switch to the left when they marry.

American Proposal

 A lot of men in America like to propose the woman in a restaurant over a romantic candle light dinner with soft music in the background and by putting the ring in her champagne glass. As she takes her sip, she finds the ring.

Kenyan Proposal

 A Classic African tradition of knocking on the door is prevalent, in which the groom's uncle and mother visit the woman's family to propose marriage from the groom's behalf.

Men belonging to the Rendille tribe in Kenya send beads to the women whom they are interested in marrying. If she keeps the beads, then the couple is considered as engaged. The woman's family then gives her a special ornament to add to her beads if they also accept the engagement.

Thailand

 In Thailand, many traditional engagement and wedding customs are followed. Tradition holds that a couple's engagement is marked by a ceremony known as "Thong Mun" in which the prospective groom gives gold to his prospective bride's family. Gold, and not a diamond ring, is the preferred proposal currency, and dowry negotiations are usually part of the proposal process.

Great Britain

 In the UK, men generally propose in a traditional manner, on their knees while presenting a woman with a ring. Engagement rings are generally worn on the third finger of the left hand (vs. the fourth finger in the USA).

 During the engagement period, both the bride and groom wear a ring on their left hand. After the wedding, they wear the wedding ring on their right hand. Usually, the rings are gold with no diamonds.

Irish Proposal

 According to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, St Bridget struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men – and not just the other way around – every four years. This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how Leap Day balances the calendar.

In some places, Leap Day has been known as "Bachelors' Day" for the same reason. A man was expected to pay the penalty, such as a gown or money if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. In many European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, tradition dictates that any man who refuses a woman's proposal on February 29 has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves. The intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. During the middle ages, there were laws governing this tradition.

Have you noticed something common in these proposals from across the world? One thing that strings the various marriage proposals is the significance and importance of jewellery, especially a 'Ring'. Ever since the beginning of contemporary humans' existence, people around the globe have used different symbols to express their love for the ones close to them. And a ring is the most widely used and recognised symbol of love and serious intentions. A ring is an outward symbol of an inward expression of your commitment to one another, as it is a circle that symbolises eternity and immortality with the magical power of connecting two lovers in one whole. The importance of having a nice one is that long after the wedding dress has been put away and the wedding flowers have wilted, and the pictures have faded, you will still be wearing your wedding ring.

Regardless of the traditions surrounding engagement, one theme is constant: it's a public declaration that two people want to spend the rest of their lives together.