Why couples are choosing to find an engagement ring together | Taylor & Hart's Blog (2024)

Updated on 1st August 2023 by Nessie , posted in

The way we’re getting engaged is changing

Research has found that Millennials and Gen X put more meaning into experiences than they do material things. More than a trend, this attitude towards living meaningfully has fostered a newfound desire for collaborative processes in all aspects of life.

In our 2021/22 Trend Report, we speculate that demand for bolder custom design ideas is due to customers spending more time conducting their own online research about fine jewellery before coming into the consultation room—as well as the age-old desire to wear a ring that represents the uniqueness of their love.

43% of our orders were customised in some way in 2021, the highest percentage of personalised designs ever.

As a bespoke jeweller, meeting increased demand for a collaborative design experience is at the core of what we do.

People are feeling empowered to ask for more custom elements because they’ve been educating themselves about what’s possible with jewellery design before they arrive at the showroom. It’s breathing new life back into bespoke and our designers have loved taking their collaboration with customers to the next level.

— Kate Earlam-Charnley, Design Director

More couples jointly plan for their engagement than those who opt for a surprise proposal

Today, Millennials see marriage as a shared effort, an equal partnership in which two people take on the world together. Everything is now done together—from planning a honeymoon to paying the rent to childcare—which may sound obvious, but it’s important to realise that it wasn’t so long ago when marriage was divided by strict gendered expectations.

It used to be a deeply entrenched custom that proposing marriage was left up to men alone. The notion that a man should surprise his partner with a proposal is its twilight days. Out of our customers, only 18% of couples said they hadn’t discussed marriage before their proposal, with over a third of couples saying they had spoken together in-depth about getting married.

Making the decision to get married together has also led 75% of couples to choose an engagement ring together, with 28% of these couples saying both people were ‘very’ involved in the process. Gone are the days of shopping for an engagement ring on your own—this 100-year tradition seems to be at an end.

How do couples shop for their engagement rings together?

This is where our ‘hand in hand’ approach to design becomes essential. The marked shift in consumer behaviour towards collaboration means that every ring we create starts with both halves of a couple.

No matter who comes into the consultation room, our design process ensures that both the person proposing and the person being proposed to have a role to play. The collaboration can range from hints, to subtle discussions, to joint decisions to fully engaging in the process together. But the bottom line is, no one feels on their own.

Why couples are choosing to find an engagement ring together | Taylor & Hart's Blog (3)

No matter how you frame it, we’re living in an era of ‘togetherness’. Afterall, together is what makes a relationship strong.

Couples are letting go of conventions and planning to get married on their own terms. Whether that means discussing your life plans together, simply dropping assertive hints, shopping for your partner’s engagement ring hand in hand, or working side by side with an expert jewellery designer.

Design your own engagement ring

Engagement rings are meaningful symbols of love and devotion, available in a myriad of captivating designs. The oval shape exudes elegance and timelessness, elongating the finger with its graceful curves. The princess cut showcases a modern square shape and remarkable brilliance, while the emerald cut captivates with its sophisticated step-cut facets. Pear cut diamonds combine the best of both worlds – the elegance of a round cut and the uniqueness of a marquise shape.

Vintage engagement rings evoke nostalgia, boasting intricate detailing and timeless charm. For those seeking individuality, unique designs incorporate unconventional cuts and settings. Halo settings, such as hidden halos and double halos, encircle the center stone with smaller diamonds, accentuating its brilliance and creating a captivating sparkle.

Engagement ring metal options offer a variety of styles to complement the center stone. Popular choices include classic and durable platinum, lustrous white gold, warm and traditional yellow gold, and romantic rose gold.

Ultimately, engagement rings hold sentimental value beyond their physical beauty, signifying the eternal bond and commitment between two individuals embarking on a lifetime of love and partnership.

Design a bespoke ring with your partner

Why couples are choosing to find an engagement ring together | Taylor & Hart's Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is it normal for couples to go engagement ring shopping together? ›

Definitely! In fact, the majority of couples are now going engagement ring shopping together. However, if your soon-to-be fiancé asks for your help and you don't feel comfortable lending a hand, be sure to communicate those feelings.

Is it normal to choose an engagement ring together? ›

Making the decision to get married together has also led 75% of couples to choose an engagement ring together, with 28% of these couples saying both people were 'very' involved in the process. Gone are the days of shopping for an engagement ring on your own—this 100-year tradition seems to be at an end.

Why the new proposal trend is for two engagement rings? ›

Eliza Walter of the sustainable jewellery brand Lylies, explains that “about half” of her clients use “promise rings” when they want the proposal to be a secret. These are unisex bands the proposer uses as a placeholder for the engagement. Then, the couple comes back to co-design their forever rings together.

What is the new engagement ring trend? ›

Yellow Gold Bands

Gold bands are always in demand, but classic yellow gold is the gold engagement ring trend for 2024. While previous years saw an emphasis on mixed metals, platinum, and rose gold, the always chic yellow gold has consistently risen to the top. Yellow gold is both versatile and timeless.

What is the average cost of an engagement ring? ›

While $5,500 is the national average cost of a ring, the spend per couple varies. Our study found that nearly half of all respondents are spending between $1,000 to $4,000 on their engagement ring. In fact, 9% of ring shoppers are spending under $1,000.

What is the golden rule for engagement ring prices? ›

The 3-Month Salary Rule:

This is one of the most popular engagement ring cost rules, stipulating that one must shell out the equivalent of 3 months' gross or net salary for purchasing an engagement ring.

Who legally owns an engagement ring after a breakup? ›

Ownership of the ring is not fully transferred until the wedding ceremony is completed. The common view says that it doesn't matter who did or said what. If the agreement to wed is broken off, ownership of the ring returns to the giver.

How long after ring shopping will he propose? ›

Typically you are looking at about 6 weeks, but our advice is to plan well in advance. Suffice to say, give yourself enough time between the day you want to propose and the date you begin talking to your bespoke engagement ring maker about your design.

Who should pick the engagement ring? ›

Who Traditionally Picks the Engagement Ring? "The one proposing historically picks out the engagement ring, but nowadays, anyone in the relationship can," says Marissa Rubinetti, Chief Operating Officer at Kleinfeld Bridal, which has the Kleinfeld x Zales bridal fine jewelry collection.

What is the 2 month rule for engagement rings? ›

You may have heard of the "two-month rule," which suggests you should spend two months' worth of your income on an engagement ring. While this may be what you have heard, the reality is that there is no set rule on how much money you should spend on an engagement ring!

Why don't guys wear engagement rings? ›

Historically, engagement rings upheld sexist beliefs that women “belonged” to men once they got engaged. As freer members of society, men didn't need to wear them. In the 1900s, men gave engagement rings as “collateral” in case they ended the engagement and damaged their bride-to-be's reputation.

Does the wife buy the husband's wedding ring? ›

Who Buys the Wedding Bands? Tradition has it that each person pays for the other person's ring. So in a traditional wedding, the groom or his family would pay for the bride's ring, and the bride or her family would pay for the groom's ring.

Did Meghan Markle have her engagement ring changed? ›

Meghan reportedly swapped her three-stone engagement ring's original yellow gold band from Prince Harry for a thinner pavé setting in 2019. She wore the remodeled band as she presented her newborn son, Prince Archie, to the press.

What engagement ring is in style in 2024? ›

Three Stones

Three stone engagement rings have always been in style but are set to become a trend-to-see in 2024. The beauty of a dazzling stone on either side of the center stone highlights it in a very special way.

What is the most desired engagement ring? ›

"The round-cut diamond is consistently the most popular engagement ring shape," says Shannon Delany-Ron, CMO for online ring retailer James Allen, noting that its appearance is timeless, versatile, and provides plenty of sparkle.

Do couples buy wedding rings together? ›

Tradition has it that each person pays for the other person's ring. So in a traditional wedding, the groom or his family would pay for the bride's ring, and the bride or her family would pay for the groom's ring.

Should you shop for an engagement ring with your girlfriend? ›

According to her, yes. In a recent survey close to 90% of women said they want to be involved in some way when her engagement ring is designed or selected. So, unless your girlfriend deliberately sent you on a solo mission, it's time to start thinking about ways to get her in the loop.

What is the etiquette for buying an engagement ring? ›

The Rule: One person has to foot the bill.

Regardless, there's no denying that an engagement ring is a sizable expense. And while it's common for the proposer to buy the ring, either partner can contribute any amount they'd like.

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