How does an engagement work? I'd really like to know.
Do you need an official paper (like a wedding certificate) in order to be engaged --- or it is that as soon as the guy proposes, the two people can start telling others that they're engaged?
And when do you trade the engagement ring for the wedding band?
One of my co-workers is engaged, and she's wearing a ring that's different from the one she was wearing at first (she ain't married yet)?
Do guys wear a ring, too?
I may look ignorant, but hey, what can I do, I was like 5 years old the last time I attended a wedding, + my parents are not even married.
2006-09-07 13:26:32 · 14 answers · asked by ♥ AnGeL oF cLaRiTy ♥ 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
You don't need anything official to be engaged. You don't even need a ring! All you need is to be asked and to say yes. You need official paperwork (marriage license) for a marriage only. You can tell people you are engaged right away if you want to. There's no etiquette in that. Some people choose to put an announcement in the newspaper or send one out in a card to their friends and family, but I think it's pretty snobbish. I think people would rather get a call from you either way and find out, it's more personal.
As far as the ring goes, many women wear their wedding ring and engagement ring together on the left ring finger (with the wedding band on the inside "closest to your heart"). My engagement ring is a strange shape, so I'll wear it on my right hand once we're married with my wedding band on the left hand alone.
Your friend's fiance probably got her a nicer engagement ring after they were initially engaged, or she wasn't wearing an engagement ring in the first place. It's all preference. In some other countries they wear their wedding and engagement rings on their right hands, so it's all about preference.
You don't seem ignorant. I hope that this helps.
2006-09-07 13:57:46 · answer #1 · answered by J B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just got engaged on Sunday! The man is supposed to give the woman an engagement ring. You should tell your parents that you are engaged first, and then you tell the rest of your family and friends.
You do not trade your engagement ring for a wedding band. During the ceremony you and your groom will exchange wedding bands. At that time you wear your engagement ring on your right hand. Your groom will put the wedding band on your left hand during the ceremony. After the ceremony, many brides put their engagement ring on the left hand again along side their wedding band. The woman has two rings and the man one. Guys only wear a ring once they are married (during the ceremony).
You may want to ask your coworker about her ring. Maybe there was something wrong with the original engagement ring and she had to get a different one or something. I've never heard of anyone changing rings after they were engaged.
Good LUCK!
2006-09-07 21:51:00 · answer #2 · answered by Annie One 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A couple becomes engaged once a proposal is accepted. There are no special papers, just the ring which some tend to leave out for their own personal reasons. You don't actually trade the engagement ring in for the wedding band, you wear them together after you are married. As for guys, with lifestyles the way they are today, a lot of gals are proposing and giving their man an engagement ring. So that's completely on an individual basis. Maybe the friend who's sporting a new ring just got a new ring for some reason? My guy replaced the ring he first gave me because he felt I needed a better ring. :) It didn't matter much to me. Hope this helps. :)
2006-09-07 21:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by Ms. Princess 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As soon as you commit to marrying someone, you're engaged! Some people say a ring is needed, but a lot of couples forgo the ring and instead put a down payment on a house, or save their money for something else. If you do have an engagement ring, you buy a wedding band that goes with it and wear the two of them together. The exception is some women who don't like to wear flashy jewelry at work/around the house and only wear their diamonds on special occasions. Men usually don't have engagement rings (people will think they're already married) but they do wear wedding bands most of the time.
2006-09-07 20:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by Jenny Alice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An engagement is quite informal. You both agree you would like to marry and then you are automatically engaged. Often an engagement ring for the girl is the diamond half of the wedding ring. You put the band on when you marry. Guys don't wear engagement rings. You can remain engaged for years without marrying. Hope that helps!...)(
2006-09-07 20:33:15 · answer #5 · answered by MissKathleen 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The couple becomes engaged when one proposes to the other and the proposal is accepted.. no paperwork is needed... Yes couples will begin saying they are engaged (preparing to marry) right after the proposal is accepted... Refering to each other as fiancee (female) fiance (male)...
Typically the wedding ring and engagement ring are worn as a pair after the wedding so there is no exchange of one ring for the other...
Your co-worker may have exchanged her original engagement ring for a different one that she liked better, or wanted more (some times this happens)..
Men typically do not wear and engagement ring..
Hope this answered your questions...
2006-09-07 20:36:59 · answer #6 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The guy usually gives her a ring when he asks a woman to marry him. If she asks him, I don't know how the ring thing would work. I think you would wear your engagement ring up until your wedding day, then leave it off that day so you can get your wedding ring. Some guys wear a ring, some don't.
2006-09-07 20:30:13 · answer #7 · answered by angel_girl2248 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Becoming engaged --- a moment when two people agree they are ready to commit to one another for a lifetime. No paper, no ring, no timeline to have to wait.
What date do you set for the wedding --- actually you never need to set a date. With common-law status, after one year in most locations, you have the same rights as a paper licence toting bride.
Should you decide to do the whole wedding thing, you do not trade in the engagement ring you add a wedding band.
2006-09-07 20:31:53 · answer #8 · answered by cdnponygirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An engagement is just a promise to get married and usually comes with a ring. There isn't any paper or wedding band or anything just a promise and usually a ring with a dimond.
2006-09-07 20:35:31 · answer #9 · answered by bluechick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For an egagement, the girl wears the egagement ring. For wedding, the bride wears her engagement ring on her right hand, and the guys get a wedding ring. They can start telling people that they're engaged, and they don't need a offical paper, just the egagement ring that the guy gets for his fiance. Does that help?
2006-09-07 21:19:10 · answer #10 · answered by sailorjupiter172003 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋