You’ve finally found the woman of your dreams. There’s no denying it. You want to spend every waking moment next to her, and when you are apart, you feel as if your life just doesn’t have any meaning.

Yes, that’s love.

But are you ready for a commitment yet? Are you ready to take her hand and walk through the ups and downs on life’s road and ensure she always feels needed, protected, wanted, and loved? Are you ready for… marriage?

While some of you may be shaking your heads yes, telling me you are indeed ready to get down on one knee, tie the knot, and stand by her side for the rest of your life, I know some of you are probably scared to death at the thought. You know you are committed to her. You don’t want anyone else in your life. But the idea of marriage is something you need to think long and hard about.

These two points of view are completely different, and they offer us a unique insight to the difference between promise rings and engagement rings.

The Difference Between Promise and Engagement Rings

Promise rings are rings given to a woman or man before an engagement ring is presented. This ring does not symbolize a commitment to marriage, but rather a commitment to a monogamous relationship with that particular romantic partner. It may also symbolize the desire to marry, in time. These rings can be worn on the left ring finger, but are usually worn on other fingers so they are not confused with actual engagement rings.

Engagement rings, of course, are presented to a romantic partner when you are ready for the lifetime commitment of marriage. They usually come after a promise ring, if one is given, and are designed to be the type of ring a woman would love to wear for the rest of her life.

Why Are Promise Rings Used?

Because promise rings are generally much less expensive and elaborate than engagement rings, they are often used as ‘place holders.’ When a young man is trying to save up for an engagement ring, he presents his love with this place holder to show his intended bride he is committed to the relationship and doesn’t want her to go anywhere. This gives him a little extra time to save up for those beautiful engagement bands.

Should I Buy an Engagement or Promise Ring?

While many young couples may favour using promise rings before engagement rings, they aren’t altogether necessary. If you are ready for a life-long commitment to the woman of your dreams, don’t settle for a mediocre ring. Give her a ring she will want to wear for the next fifty years of your lives.

A real engagement ring will show her you truly care, and that you are truly interested in standing by her side throughout the years, while a promise ring simply states you ‘plan’ to become engaged and eventually marry. When or if this promise will actually occur, however, is often left up in the air.