Recently TheKnot.com and Men’s Health co-branded proposal and engagement survey of 1,400 engaged couples. They discussed everything from picking the ring, to who is now wearing engagement rings to social media.
In the midst of prime proposal season when more than half a million men plan to “pop the question,” this one-of-a-kind survey, featured exclusively on MensHealth.com and TheKnot.com, asked more than 1,400 men and women engagement questions that reveal everything from how brides feel about the ring to how much their sex life has changed (or not!) since becoming engaged.
“This survey goes inside the minds of men and women to show exactly what they’re thinking and expecting during one of life’s most crucial and thrilling moments,” says Carley Roney, editor in chief of TheKnot.com. “We found that sex lives for engaged couples are increasing, men are open to wearing an engagement ring themselves, and women really want to show off their bling to everyone in their social network.”
Sex Lives Have Increased Since Becoming Engaged. Love is in the air for many couples…and in between the sheets! 20% of men surveyed on MensHealth.com and 18% of brides surveyed on TheKnot.com said their sex lives have increased since becoming engaged. Surprisingly, however, almost half of brides (48%) and 43% of men said they did NOT celebrate with sex on the night of their engagement.
Men Want to Sport Some Bling Too! Ladies, don’t be surprised if your man asks for a ring: 17% of men surveyed said women shouldn’t be the only ones to wear a ring before marriage and that they’d rock a “man-gagement” ring. What woman wouldn’t want other ladies to know her man was off the market?
Carat Size AND Quality Matter to Brides. Guys, take note but I’m sure you know this already. Quality of the ring is important, but don’t forget about the size of the bling! When asked how much carat size really matters, more than half (59%) of brides said both size and quality matter to them. When asked if they thought carat size matters to her, a whopping 76% of the men surveyed said, “No, she doesn’t care that much—quality over quantity!” Really guys?!
Brides Care What Friends and Family Think of Their Ring. Nearly one in four (22%) brides surveyed admitted that it matters what their friends and family think about the ring. Maybe the 44% of guys who chose the ring themselves should have enlisted some extra help from her side.
Not All Brides Love Their Ring. When asked if they thought their fiancée loved the ring, nearly all (98%) men said “yes,” yet 9% of brides actually didn’t love the ring. While 4% let their fiancé know how they felt, the other 5% didn’t have the heart to tell their fiancés! Recently, a girl told her diamond dealer future husband that her engagement ring wasn’t big enough after she saw someone else’s ring…like did she think she wouldn’t get another diamond ever? I though that was a bit tacky, but that’s me. Oh yea…he changed it – but then again he could.
Tradition Reigns for Men. A massive 76% of men said it is essential to propose on bended knee, while only 48% of women agreed. Yet when it came to asking the parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage, men and women were pretty much on the same page, with 21% and 28%, respectively, saying it’s a do. For this writer…that is a must.
Brides Love to Post Their Rock on Facebook. Who’s more excited to show off the ring? Brides, with 57% saying “yes” to sharing their happy news on Facebook by posting a picture of their ring. Yet when asked what they thought, 22% of men said it’s tacky for their fiancée to post a pic of the ring. That might change when they start rockin’ theirs
Surprisingly, 12% of brides admitted that they posted a pic of the ring or changed their relationship status to “engaged” on Facebook before emailing and texting friends.
Is this a true trend, perhaps not. There will always be a few guys who may want to wear a ring but more importantly, I think it’s social media that takes center stage. The change of status OR even adding your future spouse on your facebook page is something that means a lot. To not add your partner on your page, when you have other members in that ‘family section’ will lead to trouble and feeling of “you’re hiding something”. Trust me on this on.
Yours In Bridal blog 