kaitlynmichelleSorry, I wasn't trying to say that there should be an assumption of family help on the OP's part. I understand what an undue burden that would be for her family. I was definitely NOT saying "Tradition is definitely the way to go!! Bum off your parents! Free wedding!!!" No one seemed to be talking about that angle of it, that's all.
However, the other poster was making assumptions about ALL sorts of stuff, like that the OP and her FH would be paying for the entire wedding themselves. Most modern weddings are financed from a variety of sources, not just one single payer. So just because they don't currently have several thousand dollars lying around for a ring, it doesn't mean her parents, his parents, a grandparent, etc, wouldn't be happy to help out with a wedding in a year or so, or that they couldn't save a sufficient amount, all on their own, for the kind of wedding that would make them happy in that time. You just CAN'T know what the OP's wedding funding situation is because she doesn't elaborate. And the other poster obviously wasn't taking that into account.
To the bolded: when budgeting for a wedding you should ALWAYS take in consideration that you're financing the wedding 100%. That's what FI and I have done even though we were promised a certain amount from my parents (they've only given us a little bit so far). We don't have any other family so I think it's a correct assumption by other posters that yes, a couple should plan on funding a wedding 100%.
I couldn't even imagine asking my parents or FI's parents for $$ to help fund our wedding! We are a little older (mid 30's) and our parents are both going into their retirement years.
kaitlynmichelleSorry, I wasn't trying to say that there should be an assumption of family help on the OP's part. I understand what an undue burden that would be for her family. I was definitely NOT saying "Tradition is definitely the way to go!! Bum
off your parents! Free wedding!!!" No one seemed to be talking about
that angle of it, that's all.
However, the other poster was making assumptions about ALL sorts of stuff, like that the OP and her FH would be paying for the entire wedding themselves. Most modern weddings are financed from a variety of sources, not just one single payer. So just because they don't currently have several thousand dollars lying around for a ring, it doesn't mean her parents, his parents, a grandparent, etc, wouldn't be happy to help out with a wedding in a year or so, or that they couldn't save a sufficient amount, all on their own, for the kind of wedding that would make them happy in that time. You just CAN'T know what the OP's wedding funding situation is because she doesn't elaborate. And the other poster obviously wasn't taking that into account.
Uh yea, because you should never begin planning a wedding with the assumption that you'll be paying for anything less than 100% of it.
Even if someone has said in the past that they would like to contribute, people's circumstances can change which is why it's better to not rely on anyone other than yourselves (until the money is in your hand, that is).
FI got my ring at a Pawn Shop, where most jewelry is sold wholesale. You can usually find a great deal on engagement/wedding rings, because most of them are sold based on their weight in gold, because what doesn't get sold is sometimes melted down, so it's really only worth its weight in gold to the pawn-owners anyway. Ours actually offered free re-sizing, too.
Re: Wants to propose but can't afford ring?
My mom told me yesterday "don't forget to tell me how much stuff costs, since we'll pay for it." No mom. No.