Wedding Ideas

Tens of thousands of CNN.com readers have been enchanted by this photo, which tells the story of a Virginia man who proposed to his Christmas-loving girlfriend this holiday season with a holiday light-inspired Christmas proposal on the rooftop of their home. Many more Americans have enchanting holiday proposal stories of their own.

If you have already purchased an affordable wedding ring set, then you might want to consider whether this is the right time of year for you to come up with a creative Christmas proposal of your own.

Why Propose at Christmas?

1. The Mood Lighting

At Christmas time, many places around town are lit with romantic candles or twinkling Christmas lights, so just about anywhere can be a romantic location to surprise your girlfriend with the affordable wedding ring set of her dreams.

2. The Togetherness

For many people, the holidays are a time for gathering together with family and friends. If you propose at Christmas, then it will be easy to spread the good news with loved ones already gathered around to celebrate!

Why Wait to Propose?

1. The Surprise Factor

Christmas and Valentine’s Day are two days during the year when women are more likely to have an inkling that a proposal might be on the way. As popular times of year to express love, those two days might not be as good of an opportunity to knock your girlfriend’s socks off with a surprise proposal.

2. The Emotional Turmoil

For some, Christmas can be a difficult time of year with uneasy family relationships or unpleasant memories. If your spouse-to-be starts to seem a little Grinchy around Christmas for these or other reasons, then she may prefer a proposal at a different time. Perhaps you could wait until New Year’s Eve?

Do you have a Christmas proposal story to share?

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When the Christmas season rolls around each year, economists reveal the Christmas Price Index, which is a calculation of the cost to purchase all of the gifts in the popular holiday song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This year, the Christmas Price Index checks in at a whopping $101,119.84 to purchase all of those French hens and maids-a-milking. However, if it is just golden budget wedding rings that you are looking for, you may be able to spend significantly less than this year’s Christmas Price Index.

Christmas is a popular time to propose marriage, whether you hide a set of diamond cluster rings in the toe of a Christmas stocking or have a waiter bring out a glass of diamond-studded champagne at your favorite restaurant. The best way to keep on a budget for both Christmas AND your wedding is to consider purchasing high-quality trio wedding rings sets that are composed of real diamond cluster rings.

If golden budget wedding rings are on your Christmas list (and in sets of three rather than sets of five), then here are a few options for you to consider:

1. Budget Wedding Rings: Floral

If your bride-to-be is a lover of gardens and all things floral, consider a trio wedding ring set that includes a cluster of diamonds on the engagement ring which is arranged in the shape of a stunning flower. This set includes not only the flower-centered engagement ring, but also two other diamond cluster rings: two wedding bands that are set with a more simple pattern of diamonds in a straight line in the 14 k yellow gold that will allow the engagement ring to really stand out. For only $836.99 for all three rings, you are sure to come in way under this year’s Christmas Price Index.

2. Budget Wedding Rings: Modern

For a more modern look, consider this set of budget wedding rings which features a large square-shaped cluster of diamonds in the engagement ring. All three rings in the set feature a pattern of angular lines to complement the visual statement of the engagement ring, and the wedding bands are both set with diagonal stripes of lustrous diamonds. At $1019.99, this set costs about one hundred times less than the Christmas Price Index for this year.

Many couples today are uncertain about whether they should get married and at what point in their relationship it is the appropriate time to do so. There are a lot of practical reasons why couples choose to get married: tax benefits, legal protection for children, expectations of family members and friends, sharing health insurance benefits. But regardless of all of the practical considerations that might encourage some to rush into marriage (or the undeniable excitement of wedding gowns, diamond cluster rings, and honeymoons, the best time to get married is when you both feel ready to commit to spending your lives together – not just when you are ready to plan a budget wedding or when other people are ready to see you walk down the aisle.

How will you know when you are ready? Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. You want to spend your lives together, regardless of whether your budget wedding plan involves a simple trip to the courthouse or an extravagant trip to the Mexican Riviera.

2. You are prepared to stay together through thick and thin, regardless of future employment, future health, future lifestyle, or future residence. This is the person you are excited to share your life with, through all the ups and downs.

3. You share important values and are able to compromise and come to consensus on important issues as well as seemingly trivial disagreements. You have discussed everything from religion and children to household chores and spending styles, and you know you are compatible. Remember, no couple has a perfect relationship or a completely smooth road ahead in their lives. The important thing is that you are prepared to support each other and work together in good times and in bad. If you think you are ready for wedding bells to be in your future, keep in mind that the time for choosing diamond cluster rings for a Christmas proposal is drawing near. But if the time isn't quite right, then wait until you both are ready before you jump into planning the budget wedding of your dreams. How did you know you were ready to get married? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Photo Credit: Flickr (mikebaird)

You hate to spend time away from her. Your friends like her. Your mom loves her. You know that she is the one and can’t wait to start your life together. You have even saved up the money to purchase a beautiful diamond cluster ring. Now it is time to secretly find out her ring size, purchase an affordable trio ring set, and come up with a romantic way to propose this Christmas. Here are some Christmas proposal ideas to get you started:

1. Hide a diamond cluster ring in the toe of her Christmas stocking.

2. Bury the ring box under a pile of packing peanuts in a giant wrapped gift box.

3. Create a personalized proposal Christmas ornament at a make-your-own pottery studio, such as Color Me Mine.

4. Tie a trio ring set with a ribbon and hand it to her like a Christmas ornament to hang on the Christmas tree.

5. Wrap up a travel Scrabble set with the words “Will you marry me” spelled out on the game board.

6. Arrange for the Santa Claus at the mall to give your girlfriend a ring box when she tells him what she wants for Christmas.

7. Hide an engagement ring in the bottom of her glass of champagne (or tie it to the stem if you’re safety-minded!).

8. Slip a diamond cluster ring onto her finger as you say grace before Christmas dinner.

9. Create a Christmas scavenger hunt that ends with a proposal spelled out in Christmas lights.

10. Have a bakery make a special Christmas cookie decorated with the words “Will you marry me?”

What are your own ideas for romantic Christmas proposals?

Photo Credit: Plinkk