A History of Engagements

A HISTORY OF Engagements People have been tying the knot since the beginning of time, but do you ever wonder about the customs surrounding a marriage? How did we decide on them? Here is a little history on the engagement practice: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT DURING HIS 12TH CENTURY PAPACY, Pope Innocent III changed the rules of Western marriage, and in turn, created engagements. His decree: that all marriages must take place in a church, that the bride must receive a ring and that the couple must allow some time between the proposal and the ceremony. To this day, the tradition holds strong with THE AVERAGE AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT LASTING 16 MONTHS, be it for religious or practical reasons. The engagement ring was initially worn on the third finger of the left hand because of an ancient belief that a vein ran directly from that finger to the heart. THE RING ENGAGEMENT RINGS WERE Rachel NOT ALWAYS DIAMONDS, due to their rarity, but a range of colorful gemstones. Medieval men would match Eмily Some brides in the U.S. were given a thimble when engaged. After they married they could saw off bottom and wear it as a ring. the first letter of the gem to Tabitha the first letter of their beloved's name. Sarah THE LEAP DAY LOOPHOLE Originally an Irish custom, Leap Day is celebrated worldwide as a day where long-suffering women can propose to their men. While the Leap Day loophole is an interesting diversion, a UCSC study revealed that 67% of Women still want their partners to propose to them. 69% of American couples are together for MODERN LOVE 3 OR MORE YEARS N t IN IN IN IH IN IHN before getting engaged. Grand gestures are popular in proposals nowadays, with people including things like FLASH MOBS and SPORTING EVENTS, Yankee Stadium alone averages But don't rush into planning just yet guys - statistics show 63% XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO 01 SCOREBOARD PROPOSAL PER GAME! of women DON'T WANT an elaborate proposal. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO SOURCES oprah.com/omagazine/Marriage-and-Love-Statistics huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/marriage-proposals_n_2238487.html huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/06/marriage-proposals_n_2632199.html ourmarriage.com/planner/html/engagement_customs_and_traditi,html mentalfloss.com/article/ 26619/why-engagement-rings-are-made-diamonds Brian ♡Gauin