Clever Ways to Propose Without a Ring

Get ready to think outside the (ring) box as this article looks into ways to propose without a ring.

Why it’s Not About the Ring

So much pressure is on finding the right engagement ring. However, the typical diamond ring as we know it today didn’t become popular until 1806 when Tiffany & Co. invented their Tifanny setting.

In fact, the oldest part of proposing has nothing to do with jewellery at all. This leads us to our first piece of advice:

The Classic Proposal: with a knee, not a ring

Bend your knee when you propose. This action is timeless, introduced by Alexander the Great to show deep respect. It became romantic when knights only knelt to their king or their love. Kneeling is to honour your partner like royalty.

Propose with a Placement Ring

Want to incorporate the symbolism of a ring without the ring? Use a placeholder. This way, you can go through the motions of bending down and presenting your partner with something tangible.

Rings you could use are fede, Claddagh, and snake rings– all these designs are part of the engagement tradition. The fede and Claddagh have been associated with marriage since Medieval times. While, the snake ring was Prince Albert’s engagement ring for Queen Victoria. (This ring started the engagement ring trend as Victorian men wanted to copy the trendy prince.)

Lock Them in with Alternative Jewellery

Proposing without a ring doesn’t have to mean proposing without any jewellery. Propose with a necklace, bracelet, brooch, pin, or pair of earrings.

Or use the key motif. Gift your partner a key to your heart or shared future. Giving padlocks or keyrings symbolises you’re “locked” in the commitment.

Thinking Outside the Box: Unique Proposals without a ring

Why not go beyond the traditional proposal? There are plenty of ways that don’t involve rings. Mimic the ring box by gifting your partner multiple items in a chest like letters, charms, and photos.

The Art of Writing a Heartfelt Proposal

Propose with a handwritten letter. This is a great option if you’re tongue-tied in love and struggle for the right words. In the Victorian period, this was so common that etiquette manuals would even offer sample proposal letters (but best to use your own words).

Sentimental Proposals: Using Mementos to Pop the Question

Have items from your relationship with sentimental value? Incorporate them into your proposal! Whether it’s a ticket stub from your first date or a seashell from a memorable vacation, use these mementos to create a proposal rich in meaning and nostalgia.

Gather them in a scrapbook to tell the story of your relationship, ending with the proposal. Pinterest has plenty of scrapbook ideas to get you started. Or, if your relationship is more playful, a scavenger hunt is a popular alternative. You can lead your partner through significant locations and memories (where each stop could have a small gift). All leading to the ultimate destination- the proposal.

This way proposing without a ring allows you to make an event centered around your relationship not the exchange of jewellery.

A Different Order of Things

Best of all, this order of things allows you to purchase an engagement ring as a couple. Not only does this remove any tears from misguessed taste. It also allows you to share a key memory. After all, you only get to give this ring to them once so getting your partner’s help to make it perfect is smart.

Book an appointment with AJC, come together, get comfortable, and our team will take the time to help you choose the perfect ring as a unit.

No matter how you propose without a ring, the most important thing is to make it personal. Good luck and congratulations on taking this exciting step in your relationship!