Can you be engaged without a ring?

I agree with all the ladies, it is just but a symbol of your commitment, however, society makes it hard on you by expecting a ring. I got engaged with no ring, I got my ring a month after, it was a small diamond, I love it! I picked it out myself, and yet people were then asking why is it so small? So in the end, do whatever makes you both happy, people will ALWAYS talk!

I was engaged without a ring, friends will want to see the ring immediately, but if you explain they will understand.

A ring within your budget is more important, and says more about anything, than a ring that breaks the bank. If he feels weird about not having a ring, buy something modest. Mine is beautiful, and it was less than $500. There are less expensive options out there than that too.

If a ring truly isn't important to you, save the money for a wedding band, and when someone asks to see the ring, tell them you're waiting for a wedding band. It's not really anyone's business anyways.

A ring isn't important in announcing to your friends.

I don't think it's needed. My FH and I exchanged promise rings, and we picked out an engagement ring for me. He's saving up for it, so I should have it in September. He asked me to marry him though, so we're engaged! The ring is just a symbol. Get a nice promise ring - mine was $145 from kay jewelers, and his was $50 from zales. That way, he can still have time to save.

I got my ring off craig's list. It's a 5/8 carat princess cut solitaire in a cathedral setting. Cost $250. Originally at Kay, it cost $1600.

My ring made it "real" to me. But if you already have a date and venue, then it's real.

If you do go Craig's List, have the person meet you at a jeweler so the jeweler can verify it is what they say it is.

I got my bridal set from a consignment shop... It is a little over two carats, and we paid very minimal (less than $2000) for it. I would suggest talking with some jeweler's in your area and see if any of them know of reputable consignment shops (not pawn shops!). Craiglist also has cool stuff on there once in a while....

One thing you could consider since it sounds like a ring is important to you, you can go to Belks or JcPenny or even Kohls and look at their CZ rings. I see them all the time out on little tables around where the have the racks that spin that they have all the necklaces and earrings on. I've known a few people who have went and bought a set that passes as a bridal set and it only cost them around $30 or $40, everytime I go shopping the CZ rings always seem to be on sale! One of my mom's friends did that when she got pregnant and her wedding set didn't fit anymore. One of FH's friends did that, and I had seriously just thought her DH had upgraded her ring, if she wouldn't have told me that it was CZ I never would've known the difference!