Traditional engagement rings were once the one and only way to express to a potential spouse your desire to get married. While many couples still opt for this classic token of affection, these days there are more and more couples wishing to break from the norm when it comes to choosing the perfect symbol of their engagement. Furthermore, some couples have a hard time getting to grips with the idea of spending the cliché “three months’ salary” on a diamond engagement ring.
Here are three of the more popular engagement ring alternatives for those couples who wish to start their own personal tradition by finding a different symbol to reflect the start of a new life together.
1) A Necklace
A piece of jewellery that can be just as spectacular as a diamond ring is a lovely necklace. Necklaces tend to be more versatile than rings as you can select any type and shape of charm or pendant that you want. In many ways, this type of engagement gift is more personal to the individual you are proposing to in that you can find a charm that fits their exact style and taste.
Another option available to those who decide to go with an engagement necklace is to select a locket. You can have a meaningful photo of yourself or the two of you together printed up and placed in a locket that will hang by your future spouse’s heart each and every day. To see an excellent selection of necklaces that would make the perfect engagement token, check out Fjewellery.co.uk.
2) A Tattoo
One of the more unique and most permanent options that you can choose is to get an engagement tattoo to commemorate the beginning of a new journey in your relationship. The permanence of this choice is what makes it so appealing to many people. This is also a great way to make the symbol of your engagement completely personalized.
You can choose to get inked with an image that holds significance to the two of you, or you might want to go with a quote or phrase that is meaningful to your relationship. Probably the most popular way to use a tattoo in place of an engagement ring is to have a ring tattooed on your finger. This choice has the added bonus of being impossible to lose, as well.
3) Put a Down Payment on a House
Why not skip the engagement gift altogether and use the money you would have spent on a diamond ring on a true beginning for your new life together, by placing a down payment on a house. While this will likely cost a bit more than a ring would have, that “three months’ salary” will go a long way to taking care of the bulk of a down payment. Moreover, you would have likely had to pay for this further down the road anyway. By making this the cornerstone of your proposal and engagement, you get to enjoy your first home together even sooner.
