3 ways to pick a unique engagement ring

When you get married, your number one goal is to pick the right person. So why would picking the symbol of your love be any different? The engagement ring is one of the most important part of any guys’ proposal, so it’s only natural  that some gents get a bit stressed trying to pick the right one their lady will love. However, not all ladies are the same so there’s no one right way to shop for the ring. Follow these tips based on her personality though, and you’re sure impress your bride-to-be into an enthusiastic “YES!”

1) Custom design the ring
Who this works for: The girl who wants to be one of a kind/special
Why it works well:  It shows that you put a lot of thought into it AND it makes for an easy engagement speech. Mentioning it’s a one-of-a-kind ring like your one-of-a-kind love/how irreplaceable she is? Yeah, your lady will love it. Trust us.

2) Go shopping for the ring together
Who it works for: The girl who is a bit of a control freak and has made it known that the ring is VERY important to her
Why it works well: While it does take away a bit of the element of surprise, it’s better to ensure your lady will love the ring than to chance disappointing her if she has set her sights super high. Besides, shopping for the ring together is a cute experience to share. Don’t want to ruin the surprise entirely, have her find two or three rings that she ABSOLUTELY loves equally (if possible) and choose from those.

3) Ask sisters/mothers/friends
Who it works for: The girl who wants to be surprised SO bad, but wants what she likes SO bad, but wants you to make an effort SO bad.
Why it works well: Girls tell girls everything. Chances are, your lady’s sister or BFF already has magazine pictures of rings torn out or pages on Engagement 101 already saved and on standby to inform you of your bride-to-be’s likes and dislikes. Not only is this an effective way to ensure your lady likes her ring, it shows her you’re not afraid to be involved with the people she trusts AND it shows that you made a valiant effort at trying to surprise her. Brownie points all the way around.

Guy accidentally donates engagement ring to GoodWill

Well this is definitely a pre-engagement faux pas if I ever heard one.

This poor guy thought of such a great engagement ring hiding place that he forgot where he hid the ring himself. He had put the ring box in an old coat pocket. Innocent enough, right?

Think again. It was such an old coat that he eventually ended up throwing it out to donate to GoodWill. He didn’t realize the ring was missing until TWO DAYS after the donation was made.

They hurried to GoodWill but no luck. The coat had already been sold. The couple’s only hope is that someone with a kind heart will return the $3,500 ring after they discover it in their “new” coat.

What do you think: Would you return the ring if you found it?

Nikki

Angelina Jolie’s Engagement Ring: Close Up!

According to sources, it took Brad, who was heavily involved in the process, approximately one year to put an amazing ring together for Angie. It’s no wonder, since Brad wanted the very best diamonds – and so many of them. Angelina’s ring is comprised of a center elongated emerald cut diamond, reportedly in the best quality (most likely D-flawless) nestled between cascading diamond shoulders comprised of tapering step-cut diamonds that are graduated and cut to match the center diamond. The ring is a perfect compliment to Angelina’s long and slender fingers. Approximate value on this ring is $500,000. – Michael O’Connor

Get the look for less!

Since 1910

Tacori

Vote for the Cover Contest!

 

Engagement 101 has 8 great couples vying for the coveted cover spot in our July Issue. The voting has started so make sure you get your votes in NOW!

But not only do the couples get to be on the cover of a national magazine, they get an Artcarved ring .

As someone who has won an engagement contest herself, I cannot tell you how much fun they are. During mine, we did a campaign regarding one of our favorite television shows, Firefly, and a former actor from it eventually tweeted about us (P.S. Thanks again, Nathan Fillion!). So break out those social media avenues that you’re oh, so good at and START VOTING.

Not a finalist? Well, still vote! You can win a SCRUMPTIOUS & HUGE box of French macaroons which, as you know, is basically the new cupcake in weddings. There’s another couple giveaway coming May 1st so this would be great practice. Besides, don’t you want the best looking couple on your cover of Engagement 101? Yup, that’s what we thought.

You can vote here!

Nikki

Smooth moves make for great proposal

If you’re like me, you’ve probably drooled over the awesome moves of the professional ballroom dancers on such shows as “Dancing with the Stars.”

There’s just something about how manly a guy can look dong the tango or even a waltz as he dances with a woman. So awesome. So irresistible…but I digress.

Well the guy in this video is a ballroom dance instructor (so, instant brownie points there). However, he works his dancing in with his proposal and it’s SUPER smooth, super simple, and just absolutely perfect.

His student also happens to be the girl of his dreams. During their dancing session, he instructs her on how to do a spin into his arms that will land them into a dip. Mid-hold/mid-dip, he pops the question.  Too cute.

Sometimes not a lot of flash and just enough heart is what a perfect proposal needs. But you can be the judge of that. Check out this simply, sweet proposal below.

Nikki

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, The Engagement Ring!

The iconic couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt is engaged! According tu UsMagazine, Brad Pitt collaborated with Robert Procop, Beverly Hills jeweler and former CEO of Asprey & Garrard, the British jewelry company to the English royal family, to create this amazing engagement ring “overseeing every aspect of the creative design process from the perfect cut of the diamond centerpiece – an elongated tablet shape – to the finishing touches such as the mounting of a galaxy of smaller stones which are graduated in size and faceted to match, adding a crowning lustre to the ring.” says the rep.

Looking for a similar engagement ring design?

See more Bez Ambar Engagement Rings

What NOT to do when you’re engaged

Being engaged is an exciting time. There’s the sparkly ring, the parties, the wedding planning, and of course the promising husband-to-be. However, during this happy time, it’s important not to go overboard or make hasty decisions. Here’s a few tips on how to avoid so big engagement no-nos.

1) Do not ONLY talk about your engagement and upcoming wedding. As happy as your friends are about your upcoming nuptials and you’re newest diamond accessory, they don’t want to hear about it every five seconds at every gathering. If you still want to have friends after this whole wedding thing is over, it’s probably best to remember to not annoy or alienate your friends.

2) Do not start wars with the future in-laws. Merging two separate families together can be a beautiful or terrifying experience.  Chances are, there may be some bumps along the way. However, keep in mind that you’re only in control of your actions and can make a huge difference on your relationship with the fiance’s parents by taking the higher ground and having a thick skin. Sure, there are times and places to stand your ground, but remember to pick your battles. The “It’s MY Wedding” mentality can be a lot of bride-to-be’s downfall.

3) Do NOT take off your engagement ring in a unsafe place. You love your ring, so of course you don’t want to mess it up or lose it. However, a lot of people have had some pretty heartbreaking experiences by not taking extra safe measures when removing their ring. Remember the girl who’s ring was thrown away and had to be found later in the dumpster by her fiance digging through trash? Don’t end up like her. Only put rings on ring dishes that they can attach to or in cups that are put up inside of cabinets if working in the kitchen. Or, if you’re going swimming, remember to bring a chain to wear your ring around your neck instead of leaving it in a beach bag (those metal detector guys will have a field day later if you don’t).

4) Do NOT fake an illness to get free wedding stuff. You would think this would go without saying, but it actually happens. Take this former bride for example. She lied about having leukemia to score money for her honeymoon in Aruba. Now, not only is she divorced, but she could face up to four years in prison. Yeah…probably would be best to avoid that one.

What do you think: Any advice on what should be avoided during engagements?

Nikki

 

GelinAbaci New Award Winning Engagement Ring

When we looked at this ring for the first time, it stopped us in our tracks. WOW! No wonder it won the JCK award this year.

This GelinAbaci style is available in gold and platinum. See for yourself. Here are 3 different angles.

See more GelinAbaci Engagement Rings

A sweet, soccer proposal

There’s nothing quite like shared interests. Not all couples have them, but when you do, you definitely play that connection up for all it’s worth.

This guy does just that and even weaves their love for soccer in his proposal. To be honest, it’s partly cruel, but the cuteness definitely outweighs the trickery.

You see, this couple plays on a soccer team together. During a game, the guy pretends to get injured and is lying on the ground in pain, grabbing his knee. His girl just stands there, hoping he’s alright.

Until he gets up, still holding his knee, and then transitions to kneeling down on one knee to her– totally catching her off guard!

A very sweet proposal indeed. You can just tell how shocked she is too. Mission accomplished (though according to the Youtube video description, the groom-to-be got an ear full later for pulling such a mean- albeit sweet- trick on her).

What do you think: Is it ever okay to fake injury for a proposal?

Nikki

The craziest Easter proposal ever

Just this past week, some guy pulled the craziest Easter proposal I’ve ever seen.

He dresses up in an Easter Bunny costume and “runs into” his girlfriend while she’s randomly walking with some friends in the area. They take some candy, which has the ring inside of a hollow bunny.

Eventually he gets down on one knee and proposes, causing the girl to realize her man was the bunny all along– well, at least after a photo op with some kids. Some passersby stop him before he can propose asking for candy and pictures with the Easter bunny.

The kind gent, of course obliged. After all, who could ruin the Easter bunny persona for kids? Though, I guess it could be confusing later when he pulls off his head after he pops the question.

Still romantic, if you ignore the fact that some kids may need therapy.