Our ring plan...

adrianzbride

I would never share this on any other board on the knot, but I think you all will appreciate it and not have anything negative to say about it. 

We are on a pretty limited budget, but I was really wanting a diamond engagement ring.  Unfortunately, we really can't afford that right now.  Then we started looking at gemstone rings with diamond accents, but I have such small hands I'd need to have something custom-made.  Although I'd love something original, I just am really hesitant to do that, because I'm afraid it wouldn't match what I really want once it got here, and I'm really picky. 

One ring I saw that was beautiful was a sapphire and aquamarine eternity band for only $187 at Ross Simon.  Unfortunately they only come in bigger sizes, so I couldn't go that route.  I was told by a couple of jewelers that they coudn't do a custom one. 

So, while looking at this jewelry store that I love, I found a perfect solution.  I can get a diamond eternity band and wear it as the engagement ring, then take it off during the ceremony and use it as the wedding ring, too.  I'm so excited!  At first I wasn't considering them because they're pricey, but they're not too much considering I won't be getting a different wedding band.  Later on down the road I still hope to get a diamond ring, but the eternity band is beautiful and sparkly and I'll love wearing it.  I know it's not that big a deal to even have an engagement ring, but I really did want one, and I like this solution. 

I bet the girls on the main boards, some at least, would be so upset about breaking the rules, wearing the band before the wedding or something.  But I know it doesn't matter one bit.  I've learned a lot about what matters and what doesn't, and I'm not concerned with following tradition on things that aren't important.  I'm glad I found this board, too!

daynalyntroy

I think that's a great plan!  I've had friends who did the same thing, and ended up getting a larger diamond ring as an anniversary gift later on.  That's one of the potential added little perks of "as long as you both shall live".  If you and DH feel so inclined, that lack of expiration date allows you a LOT of time to buy whatever jewelry whenever you want

Marrin713

I'm also doing an eternity band for wedding band.  And I'd love to wear it NOW because it is so pretty!  And we got it for a steal at Kohl's!

Sue-n-Kevin

You are right, this is the best board for the "unconventional" LOL

Your plan is great. Welcome.

thealphabride

Welcome to the board. I love your plan as a great way to save. Since most of us have kids and mortgages,. we can relate!!!!
I gave my wedding band to fiance to keep at his house because otherwise I'll wear it A LOT (at home of course haha)
My girlfriend saved by getting a CZ in her setting, and no one really knows but me.

Marrin713

There's tons of beautiful CZ and alternative type rings.  Listen to this - I got my anniv band from Kohl's for 90% off orig price!  I think it was originally 75% off and then FI got an additional 15% for putting on Kohl's CC.

deepcovejackie

Love your plan!  What in the world would be wrong with doing that??  Get it and wear it *immediately*.  I'm so excited for you!  Post photos...

Oh, and btw, I've heard that eternity bands with the stones all around are hard to size if your fingers change.  Maybe get one with diamonds 1/2 way around...  I think that's what I'm going to do for a wedding band.

melissamc2

I am all getting what you like the best.  No one else has to wear your ring, or even look at it for that matter, if they are that worked up over it.  I think the ring sounds lovely!

Amomtomanyluvs

that sounds like a great plan. i love the idea of an eternity ring!!!

luckyme502

I like your plan, and I don' think anyone on the other boards would find any fault with it either. 

Ken&Cass

You know, my fiance is actually buying me two wedding bands to 'stabilize' my e-ring. I say this not to boast... but because I was having a hard time with the wearing of the band before the wedding as well. Since he is getting two, he has already given me one and said he doesn't mind if I wear it before the wedding. The last one will be given to me at the ceremony. My problem has been people assuming I'm married for the few days I tried wearing the first ring with my e-ring. So at this point I have put it in the jewelry box. I'd really like to wear it but I don't want to deal with the issues, especially my mother who claims it's bad luck for me to be parading around in it before the ceremony!

adrianzbride

Thank you all for your thoughts!  Lately I've been thinking maybe I will save it for the wedding, just for fun...  I'm not sure yet, though.  I may still go with the original plan.

NYHarleyBride

This was my original thought "if" the day ever came. I really wasn't thinking engagement ring and had always thought one eternity band was the way to go. Then, we went away to Puerto Rico for his birthday (my gift to him) and he leaned over in bed and handed me a box!!! It would have been hard to say no...lol.

Erin McCormack

I think it's a wonderful solution, at this point in life one of the perks is that we have enough sense to know that we can do as we wish. I'ts not the end of the world infact it's the opposite, it's putting a smile on your face and making you happy.  It's a good thing.  wear it and enjoy it. 

lopsie01

Hey there,

My fiance didn't fancy spending alot of money on a diamond ring and here in South Africa, really good quality diamonds are REALLY EXPENSIVE !  As we are paying for the wedding ourselves, our budget is really tight.  My mother had an eternity ring that broke years ago but there were still two decent sized, good quality diamonds and all the gold just lying in her jewellery box.  She had always said she would give me the diamonds so this was the perfect opportunity.  We took them to a jeweller who suggested we use a  blue sapphire in the middle and the diamonds on either side.  I came up with an original design too ! We were able to use the existing gold but needed to add a bit more gold.  The ring worked out within our budget but it is worth a lot more than what we paid because of the diamonds donated by my mother !

The next question of course is the wedding bands.  In order to finish the design of the ring off, we need 2 wedding bands with diamonds.  However the jeweller suggested we just use white gold with cubic zirconias for now which is half the price of diamond bands.  I tried the cubic zirconia bands and because the stones are so small, no one would notice that they are not diamonds !

[Deleted User]

This is a second marriage for each of us. Neither of us wanted to go the diamond route, but I want an engagement ring. We have decided on a semi precious stone set in a solitaire setting and a Celtic design for our wedding bands.