Engagement Traditions: Are They Outdated?

Marriage proposals have been around for centuries, as have the traditions associated with them.  While we have a sinking suspicion that the act of proposing marriage will be around for a little while longer, the same cannot be said about the related traditions.

1. Getting down on bended knee- When it comes to relationships, there is not a more romantic notion than that of  dropping to one knee. While this origin of this gesture is unclear, 76% of men think it is a necessary part of any engagement, while only 49% of women thought of it as a requirement.

2. Having the man propose- This tradition seems to be staying put, at least for the time being. In a recent study, only 2.8% of women said that they could see themselves being the one to pop the question, which, believe it or not, is 2.8% higher than the number of males who feel the same way.

3. Asking her father’s permission- While this practice used to be a vital precursor to any engagement, this chivalrous act does not carry the weight it once did. Although 73% of m of grooms asked for their bride-to-be’s hand in marriage, 68% of women said that it was not necessary. Whether it be to increased intimidation or the chauvinistic connotation assigned to it, seeking her father’s blessing before getting a “yes,” is apparently not as important as men think.

4. Having a Ring- Ok, guys, don’t tell your girl that we told you to do this, but studies show that only 33% of women count an engagement ring as a requirement. Many consider proposing without a ring a better alternative than proposing with the wrong ring.

5. Keeping it a surprise- The importance of this tradition is up in the air. At 47%, roughly half of women think that a marriage proposal should have the “surprise” factor. Maybe not having a ring will be enough of a surprise in itself?

Well, there you have it! Every individual is different. Asking her father’s permission might be important to some bride and not others. Each situation and tradition are as unique as the relationships in which they play a role. Are these traditions outdated? You be the judge.

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Thanks to Ruffled for the picture!