Proposing Without A Ring Overseas? Need quick Advice!

I think it's a smart idea. Use a ring-pop and then pick out a ring together!

You could do a fake/temp ring so you actually have something to give her. My former brother in law bought the diamond and then proposed with just the diamond, that way they could pick out the setting together after she said yes. Good luck and congratulations in advance!

FH proposed here in the US but still got overwhelmed picking out rings and trying to guess what I might like so he bought a temp ring for the proposal (that was waaay too big) and then later we went and picked out the real ring.

BTW, supposedly men spend less on engagement rings with the fiance shops with them!

You definitely don't want to guess at a ring. Being that you have very little time, don't know her ring size or what type of ring she would like, I think a fake/temporary ring would be the best thing. Then you can pick something out together when you get back. Good luck!!

Heard a great story about a guy tying a string on a girls finger until he could afford a ring. He later had one made for her to look like the string tied in a bow. Also heard of a guy making one out of a shinny gum wrapper. He eventually bought her a ring but she kept wearing the gum wrapper one and he kept fixing it. There are a lot of these stories from around the first world war. Lots of people got married quickly and could not afford a ring. Do something special. That will mean way more than a ring. My fiance bought me a ring and I bought him a guitar. He already has a ring he wears that he likes. Do what is right for you both.

I think a ring pop is a very cute idea. My FH purposed with A 25 cent ring with an actual dime glued to It. It was humorous and then I

got the real ring later.

You have a great idea to propose with a fake or simple cheap ring. I wouldn't want an expensive ring flying in a suitcase or in one of my pockets overseas. Rings are symbolic of your intention to marry. So anything that is symbolic of your love and intention to marry her should technically be acceptable. Just explain the reasons as you did to her after your proposal, then she'll quickly understand that a real engagement ring is on the way or you two can pick out together. But she sounds like she would be happy with any modest ring and maybe not even want you to spend all that money on an engagement ring and would like to save the money for the wedding bands and not wear the engagement ring. I know that's what I prefer. I don't wear jewelry either. A wedding band is enough for me.

I did not want to wear an engagement ring at all (had to be convinced by my partner). I actually loved looking at rings and designing my engagement ring with him. It was really fun and brought us closer together.

Any person who would refuse your proposal JUST because you didn't have a ring when you asked is not a person you'd want to marry anyway.

Do the temp ring. BUT, I carried rings on a domestic flight and put them in my camera bag so the scanners could see it easily. I was never questioned. I did this all the way from Nashville to Corpus, kept the ring hidden intending upon a beach proposal. I missed that opportunity and thought about an intercom proposal on the flight back, but figured the FAA might frown upon that. So, while sharing a frosty in the food court of the Houston Hobby airport, we were in a conversation about "getting serious" about something.

I reached into my camera bag and pulled out the ring while getting down on one knee, saying, "Speaking about getting serious..."

She said yes.

You might be able to do it going to Italy, but hide it in plain sight and quietly explain to the security folks as necessary. I agree, don't guess, at the size. She'll love having the choice. Wasn't there a movie about a guy who took a gal to a jewelry store after hours?

Thanks everyone for all the great responses. Nice having a place where you can go to ask these things.

Oh, you are a wonderful man Proposal in Italy=AMAZING. You don't need a ring at the proposal...especially if you are in Italy. Also, just a small piece of advice, every girl wants some type of say in the ring...trust me. Proposal in Italy, ring shopping together=PERFECT. Good luck!

I think you have a great idea! Buy a fake, cheap ring to propose while you're in Italy and then you can shop together for her engagement ring. I think it makes a beautiful story!

You HAVE to have a ring to propose....please don't do it without one!

Sounds beautiful! Here's another idea...give someone your camera to take a picture & just as the stranger is ready to take the pic, start the proposal from there. THIS girl LOVES pictures.....I'm sure that would be something else you could work in too. Of course we'd love to hear about it when you get back. Sending early congratulations to you. Good luck!

Tina, you don't need a ring to propose! Diamond rings are a relatively new tradition (early 1900s), and plenty of people proposed marriage before that.

My fiancé proposed with a fake ring because mine wasn't ready yet... Do that!

Rings are not necessary for proposals. Propose, see if she even wants a ring, then go buy one together.

Don't do a fake ring bc its not needed and what if she loves it and then finds out its not real. Do something creative like a small silver ring engraved with something sweet till you can pick out on together

My FH proposed in Europe. He borrowed his mother's engagement ring (it was a pearl) and proposed with that. I wore it for a few months until we went shopping for my own.

I think you could propose with any kind of simple in-expensive ring, as a symbol until you get back from your trip.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Maybe propose as soon as you arrive in Italy and then shop there for an engagement ring?