You’ve finally found your person, the one that you want to spend the rest of your life with, you’ve been thinking about how you are going to pop the question for months (years maybe).

But there is a BIG snag. The ring. Not just any ring, THE RING, the engagement ring of their dreams and you know you need to get it right.

So you try and plan the perfect proposal; you type into all the search engines, ‘how to propose’, ‘alternative proposal ideas’, ‘how to propose without a ring’ and it’s all the same, not so unique ideas.

Well, you’ve come to the right place, I’m here to help!!

When it comes to the ring, I really feel for all my clients, there is a lot of pressure and money involved when purchasing an engagement ring. Through my time as a jewellery designer, I’ve heard lots of stories from ‘my significant other hates her ring’ to ‘they’ve swapped it’ and even ‘we purchased a second!’

Bespoke engagement rings are a great way to design and craft a ring to not only meet your specifications, but also, against what most people believe about bespoke, it CAN be catered to your meet budget too.

However, bespoke does come with the daunting fact that it’s unique and very likely non-refundable, so there is even more added pressure of getting it right first time.

Thus, proposing without a ring can be the perfect solution, but I understand that the thought of getting down on one knee without anything shiny in a box to show for it, can make the situation a lot more unsettling.

So here are my tips on how to pull off an alternative proposal and still purchase the PERFECT ring for your significant other.

1. Propose with a bespoke design sketch.

You have an idea in mind, or maybe you don’t? Sitting down with a bespoke designer, going through budgets, stone options, metals and of course finalising a sketched design can be the perfect way to say I love you – will you marry me. The bonus here of course is that if it’s not quite right, then the design can be tweaked, changed or adapted to suit your future fiancé.

It’s an amazingly thoughtful way of allowing both of you to be in the bespoke design process, but to let your fiancé know how much effort you have put in and that you think the world of them.

2. Propose with a resin sample

You’ve designed what you believe as the perfect ring, but still want to be 100% sure! Having a 3D model designed and printed, is the perfect step, this way you can have something tactile and present in the ring box. This gives you both the flexibility to change the design, but still have your moment of opening the box, down on one knee and saying those 4 words – ‘Will You Marry Me?’

3. Propose with your ‘button’ heart

Now here is your super alternative!! You are trying to find a piece that’s meaningful, one that symbolises your love and impending wedding day, but not the ring just yet! So, why not propose with one of my button hearts!? The heart buttons can be used as placeholders which can be easily worn as a necklace, bracelet or sown onto their favourite piece of clothing. All whilst you design/find your perfect engagement ring together!

I haven’t mentioned the best bit…on your wedding day your partner can wear this same button on their shirt, dress or ahem…. sleeve! Transform it back once again after the day, thus making sure that the piece you propose with has meaning from the day she/he says ‘YES’, to the day she/he says ‘I DO’ and beyond.

4. PlaceHolder Rings

Choosing a simple, classic ring that’s in silver (or even base metal) can be the perfect substitute for your surprise proposal! This symbolic jewel represents the start of your shared journey to finding/designing the perfect engagement ring you both love!

5. Family Heirloom

One of my favourites – family heirlooms!! Does your family member have a ring that would be amazing to propose with?? Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than proposing with a sentimental piece which has been in their or your family for generations!! If they absolutely love the ring, you’ve saved yourself a little money for the big day! If not, remodelling can be a wonderful way to design a piece that’s very them but holds all the sentiment and memories of the original design that can then live on through you.

6. Just ask!

So, I know this seems a little erm, well, unadventurous, but you can make it all about the occasion and not about the ring itself. Of course, this will all come down to your individual budget but whisking your significant other away for a romantic break or even a stroll in your favourite walking spot can be the perfect (and unexpected) proposal. I’ve also heard of the drunken and out-of-the-blue-bottom-of-the-stairs proposals, but they didn’t say no! Getting engaged truly is all about the love you share for each other, it also DOES NOT need to be Instagram worthy! Thus, you do not need to find a cliff edge and have a photographer at hand (I’m sure you’ve seen that video that went viral, it really did give me anxiety!), just think of the perfect spot that means the most to you both – it will have so much more sentiment!

Now, I’m going to finish this blog on when to propose. It’s something I feel quite strongly about….

PLEASE find a date that means something to you!

So, Valentines Day, Birthday’s, Christmas Day, New Years Eve etc – these are of course great days to get down on one knee, especially if they are particularly sentimental to you, BUT ask yourself if there is another one that would mean more to you both?

This could simply be, the day you met, your first date, your first kiss, the first time you said the daunting words ‘I love you’, all these memorable dates can mean so much more than ones that are already in our calendar.

I hope these words have helped a little to calm your nerves and reassure you that whatever you choose will be the right way to propose for YOU.

Good luck! (I'll see you for the wedding ring consultation!)