Find out what you need to know — fast — with this quick guide to what’s essential for the groom-to-be.
You’re finally sure — you’ve met the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with. You want to propose. Ask her to be your wife.
Now what? If you’re like a lot of (maybe most) guys, you probably haven’t thought much about what comes next. Never fear, though. Follow this quick guide of must-reads, with links to articles, guides and quizzes that will help you get up to speed.
With this ring
If you’re going to surprise her with a ring, you should figure out the different styles. Our Engagement Ring Style Guide is a great place to start.
Once you have an idea of the different types of rings, you can help your cause by figuring out what she’ll love. We’ve got a quiz, What’s My Bride-to-Be’s Style?, and a visual tool, Style Finder, where you’ll pick photos that represent her. Then you can stealthily figure out her ring size (if you don’t already know it) with our super-handy Ring Sizer tool.
About half the time, couples pick out a ring together. That doesn’t mean you get to slack, though. Read Engagement Ring Shopping with Your Fiancée for ideas on making the shopping romantic, fun and a great memory for both of you.
What’s your budget?
This is a big purchase, emotionally and financially. To get a handle on how much you want to spend, read Setting Your Budget for an Engagement Ring. You can get a real-world idea of what that means by using the Engagement Ring Affordability Calculator.
What about the diamonds?
There’s a lot to learn about diamonds. You need to know about the qualities that make one diamond different (and a different price) from others. Check out 5 Tips for Finding Your Most Beautiful Diamond for a quick brain-dump. With that under your belt, get more detail in What You Need to Know About Diamond Shapes, Prioritize the Diamond 4Cs to Fit Your Budget and What Is the Difference Between Shape and Cut?. Also consider that your bride-to-be may not want a white diamond — so cover that ground with Color Me Unique: Color Gemstone Engagement Rings or Should I Consider Color Diamonds in an Engagement Ring?.
Ready, set, go
These articles and tools will give you a great start. You may find that once you know this much, the whole deal is kind of fascinating. We’ve got plenty of info and help here, so take a look around.
SOURCE:http://www.jewelrywise.com/engagement-wedding/article/must-read-articles-for-grooms
