13 Things to Know About Buying an Engagement Ring

2011-09-02T19:14:00Z

Thinking of proposing to that special someone?

If you were already anxious about getting down on one knee and popping the question, the results of a big market research report from wedding website TheKnot.com will have you shaking in your shoes.

The company surveyed 10,000 recent brides and brides-to-be, as well as 1,000 recently engaged men, about everything from the proposal to the wedding bands.

Their reactions may surprise you.

We were somewhat dismayed, for example, to read that less than half of all brides got exactly the engagement ring they wanted.

If you ever wanted to know if it's still de rigueur to ask a woman's father for her hand in marriage, or what other people spend on wedding bands, then read on.

Nearly all brides loved their engagement rings, but less than half said it was exactly what they hoped for

engagement charts — Base: Engagement Ring Received TheKnot.com

Source: TheKnot.com

71% of grooms asked the bride's father or parents for her hand in marriage

Source: TheKnot.com

Grooms were more nervous about proposing when the bride didn't help to pick the ring

Source: TheKnot.com

Some brides were involved in ring buying, some weren't. About 10% were present when the ring was purchased

Source: TheKnot.com

The average groom spent three months ring shopping, visited four retailers, and looked at 27 rings

Source: TheKnot.com

Grooms cared more about the quality of the stone, while brides cared more about the style

Source: TheKnot.com

Grooms who bought from local jewelers tended to be older and wealthier

Source: TheKnot.com

74% of grooms had a budget, but a third of them spent more than they planned to

Source: TheKnot.com

The recession's impact: ring spending fell 12% from 2007-08 to the current period

Source: TheKnot.com

A third of all brides knew exactly what their rings cost

Source: TheKnot.com

5% of grooms wore a "man-gagement" ring

Source: TheKnot.com

For engagement rings, 4% of center stones were two carats or more

Source: TheKnot.com

Couples in 2010 spent less on wedding bands than they did in 2008

Source: TheKnot.com

Now check out these charts

13 Surprising Facts You Should Know Before Buying A Ring And Proposing

Nearly all brides loved their engagement rings, but less than half said it was exactly what they hoped for

71% of grooms asked the bride's father or parents for her hand in marriage

Grooms were more nervous about proposing when the bride didn't help to pick the ring

Some brides were involved in ring buying, some weren't. About 10% were present when the ring was purchased

The average groom spent three months ring shopping, visited four retailers, and looked at 27 rings

Grooms cared more about the quality of the stone, while brides cared more about the style

Grooms who bought from local jewelers tended to be older and wealthier

74% of grooms had a budget, but a third of them spent more than they planned to

The recession's impact: ring spending fell 12% from 2007-08 to the current period

A third of all brides knew exactly what their rings cost

5% of grooms wore a "man-gagement" ring

For engagement rings, 4% of center stones were two carats or more

Couples in 2010 spent less on wedding bands than they did in 2008

Now check out these charts

10 Surprising Charts About Sex >

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13 Surprising Facts You Should Know Before Buying A Ring And Proposing

Nearly all brides loved their engagement rings, but less than half said it was exactly what they hoped for

71% of grooms asked the bride's father or parents for her hand in marriage

Grooms were more nervous about proposing when the bride didn't help to pick the ring

Some brides were involved in ring buying, some weren't. About 10% were present when the ring was purchased

The average groom spent three months ring shopping, visited four retailers, and looked at 27 rings

Grooms cared more about the quality of the stone, while brides cared more about the style

Grooms who bought from local jewelers tended to be older and wealthier

74% of grooms had a budget, but a third of them spent more than they planned to

The recession's impact: ring spending fell 12% from 2007-08 to the current period

A third of all brides knew exactly what their rings cost

5% of grooms wore a "man-gagement" ring

For engagement rings, 4% of center stones were two carats or more

Couples in 2010 spent less on wedding bands than they did in 2008

Now check out these charts

10 Surprising Charts About Sex >

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