The definition of marriage in Australia changed forever on 9 December 2017, when same-sex marriage was legalised. There was much debate about the concept of traditional marriage, and the subsequent implications of same-sex marriage, although the idea of a traditional union has been in a state of evolution for millennia. If a heterosexual couple who have been together for years one day decided to bite the bullet and get married at the local registry office, forgoing an official period of engagement, does this mean their marriage isn't traditional? If a same-sex couple became engaged, then had a lavish wedding ceremony with an exchange of rings, wouldn't this be a traditional affair? It might be helpful to discard the notion of a wedding needing to be traditional. There are many traditions associated with weddings, but you can pick and choose from these as you see fit, and it doesn't devalue your marriage in any way. But when it comes to engagement rings for gay male couples, you might wonder, do you need to bother?

Presenting the Ring

As with any tradition associated with marriage, when you and your boyfriend decide to make the transition to being husbands, it's entirely up to you if you want an engagement ring or not. In a heterosexual union, it's generally the man who asks the woman to marry him (although not always), and engagement rings act as an acknowledgement of an affirmative response to the question. When two men opt to marry, and an engagement ring is presented, it's generally presented by the one who has decided to ask the question. While you certainly hope that your boyfriend will say yes, will he say yes to an engagement ring?

Choosing the Ring

Engagement rings are almost exclusively targeted at women, and many men might not particularly want to wear something of this style. But you know your boyfriend best, and if you think he would be happy with a prominent diamond set atop a gold band, then go for it. If that's not his style, then an alternative could be a ring that features a precious stone embedded within the band itself. The band could be sterling silver, platinum or white gold if only to differentiate it from the soon-to-be worn golden wedding ring. But what about when you want to pop the question, but you're unsure about whether your boyfriend would want an engagement ring of any description?

Alternatives to a Ring

You can be creative and ask the question with a bracelet, or perhaps even a watch (you could even opt for an engraving with your names and the date of the engagement). You could also skip the need for an engagement ring altogether if you don't think your boyfriend would particularly appreciate one. You both know that you're engaged, and you don't necessarily need to symbolise it with a ring.

Sure, the concept of traditional marriage is always going to be evolving, and it's entirely up to you which of these traditions you want to include. For more information, contact a company like Pink Carat Jewellers today. 

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