In the course of planning the marriage proposal, a man needs to understand what he is getting himself into. Getting engaged is more than just a nod to tradition or pleasing your partner with a nice show. The engagement is primarily designed to signify a promise of marriage and a good life by making a down payment in the form of a precious metal ring with a valuable stone.
The Old Tradition
An engagement has been a longstanding practice since ancient times. During that time, it is considered a way for the groom to negotiate with the bride’s family over the terms of marriage. These days, however, it has become a dramatic and overly romantic occasion.
Men must not go far from the original idea of an engagement. It was designed for the groom-to-be to make a promise of marriage and a good life for the girl he wants to marry. This serves as an assurance for the family that their beloved daughter is in good hands.
In the past, it was a common practice is for the man to sit down with the bride-to-be’s father and discuss the terms of marriage. Once they reached an agreement, the proposal took place and the man handed over a dowry. That’s when the engagement or a public announcement of a forthcoming marriage becomes official. The dowry may be in many forms, including goods or money.
As years passed, some of the proposal traditions changed. The handing over of a dowry from the man’s end became an exchange of goods from both ends. These days, offering an expensive, usually stoned ring is the way to go but the meaning remains the same.
The Quality of the Engagement Ring Matters
Based on the ancient customs of engagement, it is not surprising that people often judge the quality of the ring that men hand over. That’s why it has always been one of the biggest expenses in a man’s life. If you want to learn more about the different choices of engagement rings that better express an intent to marry and the promise of a better life, read more on Willyou.net’s blog.
The Drama and Romance
With a guy offering an engagement ring, the purpose of the proposal is served. The intent to marry is signified and if the girl accepts it, the period of engagement commences. There is no prescribed length of time for the engaged couple to wait until they walk down the aisle. On average, about 80% of couples hold their wedding within the same year. The engagement is mostly perceived as a starting point for wedding preparation. As both parties agree that they want to marry each other, they can also make a public announcement and start planning.
The wedding proposal is an important milestone for two people in love. Everything about it like the ring, the location, and the manner of asking are very memorable. They are often relived countless times in the couple’s lives. Looking back is much easier these days when wedding proposals have become so commercialized. Planning it is almost like planning a spectacle with all the drama and romance and everything in between.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
