There is no engagement

That is exactly what my parents did and they are happily married for 26 years! I don't think it really matters if he got down on one knee, as long as you love each other and both agree to get married, that's what is important. If you want a proposal, maybe talk to him about it and ask if he will do something small. If you only want a proposal so you look "normal," I wouldn't sweat it. Do what makes you feel best!

Just say we're getting married!!!! That's all people want to hear anyway!! Congrats!!

My FH and I were in a similar situation, together 6 years and already bought a house together. We also have two kids together. We talked about marriage for about two years (since right before selling his house and buying our house), but I told him that an actual proposal was important to me- not a huge fancy ring or something elaborately planned, but something heartfelt and meaningful to us. I think part of the reason it was important to me is because he had kind of already asked me to marry him (“I guess we should get married”) when we found out we were pregnant but it was just because of the baby not because it was what either of us wanted. After that, I wanted a real proposal not a suggestion out of a feeling of obligation. He didn’t ask eloquently (he got a little tongue tied), it was SO cold, and I was being difficult, but it was imperfectly perfect. I also told him why I wanted to marry him, and it was just a beautiful private moment.

I do agree with the PP that it shouldn’t be just because it’s expected. If it’s just about announcing it, you don’t need a proposal- you decided together to get married therefore you’re engaged. Don’t worry about what society or other people expect, no two relationships are exactly the same. If you and your FH are happy, just be happy and share the awesome news that you decided to get married.

I’ve also seen several engagement sessions in which the photographer has the couple pose to recreate the proposal- if you want a picture of him on one knee (which my FH definitely wasn’t because we were standing in several inches of snow! Lol). Happy planning!

If you’re agreeing to get married and planning a wedding, you are engaged. A proposal is generally how an engagement comes about, but sometimes an engagement just comes from a conversation. It’s similar to how you don’t have to have a “wedding” in order to be married... people who have a courthouse ceremony are just as married as people who have big weddings.

People who are planning to get married are just as engaged as people who had a formal proposal!

My FH didn't propose. We randomly started talking about getting married and every once in a while he would call me his wife. Then he got me a ring.

So we set a date and started planning.

Did you and another consenting adult agree that you’d like to marry each other? If so, congratulations, you’re engaged. You don’t need a grand proposal to prove it to anyone.

If you two agreed to get married, then you’re engaged. Society makes it seem like you need a fireworks show in order to be engaged... but no!

Me and FH just talked and decided to get married. No proposal no anything... And I've known of other brides like this so I believe is fine.

Hi! Adam and I planned a wedding before a real proposal a few years ago. Our venue (a home of friends who ended up breaking up before our wedding) fell through. Adam did eventually propose after that, but I already had a ring we bought when we were planning and the proposal wasn't a big deal at all. It doesn't matter. We're still getting married. Same with you. You don't need a ring or a proposal to get married. I'd just start planning and when people ask, tell them your wedding date. If they question a proposal, tell them it's not the way it happened for the two of you.

It honestly comes down to what you want, your expectations and what you're willing to live with. If this is going to be something that bothers you in the long run as an unchecked box then make that known if not then move on with planning your wedding.

If you want the proposal, tell him you want a proposal. A lot of the time, once y'all start planning, he will probably do it, especially if he KNOWs thats what you want.

If it's no big deal for you, then starting planning, if you want others to know, start telling people that you are engage, or start wearing an engagement ring, or even do something as little as change your fb relationship status to: engaged.

My parents didn't do a proposal, my dad pretty much just ask my mom, " When do you want to get married", and they started planning from there....

Good luck!

My husband didn’t propose with a ring. We were talking about our future together and he asked me to marry him. I said yes and then we started planning. We went out and got our rings. I got to choose my wedding ring set. All that matters is you’re choosing to make those vows to each other! Congratulations 🍾.

I agree with many of the lovely ladies here. It’s really up to you and how you both want it bc at the end of the day, you two are all that matters. My FH proposed in our living room on my birthday in his undies (lol) no big proposal in front of the world bc that’s not what we wanted. I had always told him that if he ever proposed, I would like for it to be private. Of course people were mad, they wanted to be apart of it and wanted to see a video but that’s not the type of people we are. Do what suits your relationship!

We didn't do an official proposal either after 11 years 2 kids and 2 dogs and together we decided it was time. We picked a date 8 21 21 and are booking everything this summer. We haven't done anything traditional as of yet and it works for us. My friends and family are just excited that we are "really getting married " so enjoy the planning and all the fun things that come with this. I think the off beaten path is just ausome

If you two agreed to get married, you are engaged. My fiance and I decided we should get married, so we were engaged. My FH did decide to get me a ring soon after, but the engagement came before the engagement ring. You don't need a proposal or a ring to get married. My parents couldn't afford an engagement ring, so my mom didn't get one. They have been happily married for 33 years. When they were more financially stable, my dad got her an anniversary band.

As long as you’re both on the same page, it counts! I didn’t have a grand proposal. One night while talking my fiancé said “do you wanna get married?” I said yup! Then we ordered a pizza. Worked for me

Has he told you he wants to get married? Has he set a date?

I think it all depends on what you want and are ok with. Are you happy without the proposal? If so, and you and FH have picked a date you want to set, go forth with planning! If not, I'd personally suggest to FH you'd really like to be properly proposed to, because it would make you feel special. He might not understand it, but if you tell him that you'd like one that way, it would let him know & help him understand. If you want one, it doesn't even have to be anything fancy, if that's not what you're into. Bottom line is, do you want to be formally proposed to?

I know you said it’s not a big deal after six years, but I disagree, I think it’s important for him to propose to you if he wants to get married. Nothing has to be fancy or expensive, but I think being physically engaged before wedding planning is absolutely important.

Buy a ring and propose to him. Surprise him and have a friend take pictures.

If you want him to propose to you, tell him so. Just be real. This is the man you want to call "husband". You should feel like you can tell him anything. Truth be told men generally are happiest if we women are blunt about what we want. It makes their lives so much easier.