Marriage procedure questions...[Ring Exchange]

Question

My boyfriend and I want to get married. I'm 17 and he's 18 and I just found out today that since I'm pregnant I don't need my parents to sign for me. What I don't know is anything about the rings. I've never been to an actual wedding and no one has ever told me anything about it. What I really want to know is although we're getting married non-traditionally (court house) do we still need an engagement ring? Or any rings for that matter? I notice the male wears a ring also, do I buy it? Is the engagement ring the only ring for the bride?...Or is there also a wedding band?

Answer 1

The rings is not a legal requirement. You don't NEED them for your marriage to be legal - it's just a tradition that you may or may not want to embrace. Entirely up to you. In the US, it is customary for a man to buy his fiancé an engagement ring at the time of their engagement (i.e., when they decide they're getting married); before the wedding, both people get the wedding bands - these are usually exchanged at the wedding ceremony and worn afterwards. So the girl will end up with two rings, and the guy with one. Who pays for the rings is, again, up to you; traditionally, the guy buys the engagement and the wedding rings for the girl, and the girl buys the wedding band for the guy - but, truthfully, being that you're getting married, does it REALLY matter whose name is on the credit card? One way or another, you will be paying for it together. Do what you feel comfortable with, and what makes sense in your situation. Seems that right now your focus should be not on the rings, but on the baby. Good luck.

Answer 2

Traditionally, the guy proposes to a girl and gives her an engagement ring (which can range wildly - it can be a plain band, a solitare diamond, a circlet of diamonds or even a different gemstone if you prefer). At the actual wedding ceremony, you exchange wedding bands.

The guy usually pays for both the engagement ring and the girl's wedding band while the girl pays for the guy's wedding band.

Depending on your financial situation, which may not be very stable right now since you're both fairly young, you can vary the traditional stuff quite a bit. If you want an engagement ring, but he can't afford it, you can either both contribute to paying for it or you can wait for a bit until you're more secure and then go look for a ring after you're married.

I would recommend you skipping the engagement ring for the moment and just purchasing wedding bands for each other. Here's a couple of sites if you want to check them out:

www.zales.com

www.shaneco.com

www.jareds.com

Or try googling 'wedding rings', etc.

***Oh, by the way, if you do purchase an engagement ring as well as the wedding band, make sure during the wedding ceremony to have your engagement ring on another finger other than the wedding finger (most brides put it on the 3rd finger on the right hand) because the wedding band is usually the one placed on the finger first, so it's closest to the heart. Then after the ceremony, you can put the engagement ring back on your ring finger.

Answer 3

No, you guys don't need rings but it is always nice to have one!  If you want discuss it with your boyfriend & see what he thinks.  If you both decide that you want rings, you can split the cost unless it's decided one or the other will pay.  You can get just plain gold bands or maybe have a little stone in yours.  Good luck on the marriage & pregnancy!

Answer 4

Traditionally you get an engagement ring before you get married, and only the woman gets one. Then you both get a wedding band. I think you are supposed to buy each others wedding bands. You don't have to have an engagement ring, it's totally up to you and what you can afford and want. If you cant afford anything super nice (I would not get anything expensive since you are expecting and should save every penny for the baby) You could just go to Claire's or pacific sun wear or something and get inexpensive silver bands. Its not what you buy, its the meaning behind them that really matters. I would actually recommend not getting married, but its your life...good luck. I hope you have a happy healthy baby.  

Answer 5

I suggest you buy 2 plain gold wedding bands for now, one for you and one for him.  Usually the man pays for his lady's ring, and the lady pays for her man's ring.  The rings are a gift to each other.  At a later day when you are more settled and financially secure, you can then add diamonds to the plain wedding bands . . . if you wish to do.

I truly think I would skip the engagement ring for the moment.  Save the money for baby expenses and household expenses.  You can always get an engagement ring later.  Maybe he will buy you one as an anniversary gift?

Courthouse ceremonies are usually very brief.  Some couples dress up for the ceremony, but some do not.  You can wear something special if you like, but long trains and big veils should be avoided.  A bout for your groom and a small bouquet (or a corsage) for bride are definitely appropriate.

Be sure to take pictures!  If no one goes to the courthouse with you to take photos, then stop by a photography studio after and have a couple of photos taken.

Answer 6

well all answers depend on your money situation honestly. You can buy a gold band for a guy for about 20$ and if your getting married just get a wedding ring. In the court you will be asked to exchange rings its not as big as a church wedding but still just as powerful.