Hahahahaha. Arse.... I'd admit that if it were true. But you're just being a wanker and I adore that quality!

Best marriage I had, she didn't want a diamond.
Her engagement & wedding ring were the same one, had my birthstone in it. Was what she wanted.
Ring is just s symbol, it is what is in your hearts that matters.

BRavo!!!! EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See Dan .. you 2 think alike. Listen to her & go with it

this is what you should wear to your wedding/funeral

If you talk about being engaged/getting married before you make the formal proposal it would probably would not be a total surprize but it is still nice if you do something romantic and memorable that is a surprize.

Personally I think a proposal is supposed to be geared to the personality of the two people involved.

If tradition and family are important you might want to visit her parents and privately ask for their blessing to propose to their daughter. In todays world permission is not expected or given it is more a demonstration of your respect and gratitude for helping her become the person you love.

My recomendation is to still do some reasonable facimility of the down on one knee, professing your love, and Asking her to marry you. Even if she is not a stickeler for tradition it is nice for her to be able to tell her Mother and friends that you respect her enough to follow the tradition. Make it some place nice outside of the bedroom and where you can have some privacy afterward if either of you become emotional. If you have already kind of sort of said the will you marry me thing in private then this is still something nice to do even if it is in front of friends and family at a formal engagement party. This can be a great kick off for introduceing people who are going to be in your wedding or from the two families.

If you are going to do it make sure you have your hosts permission, or be your own hosts, and don't just do it over another traditional event such as Christmas.

With your personality I would expect some form of humor to be part of it but I would try for that after the proposal.

The way to get around the whole not haveing a ring to propose with is buying a simple band that she can wear when working or where looseing a valuable set might be a possibility. Having something meaningful engraved inside makes it very personal. Then you can go together and select your wedding set. Another posibility is buying a small saphire ring so she has something blue to wear or a small heart shaped promise ring. Either are easily under a hundred dollars and give you the velvet box to use for presentation. Good Luck!