Taking Engagement ring abroad..

[sparks85]

Wondered if I could draw on the collective PH wisdom here.

In a months time I'm heading to Thailand and Cambodia for 3 weeks where I plan to pop the question to my Better Half.

Whilst this is - in theory - a once in a lifetime event, and I want to make it a special occasion, would I be alone in worrying about taking an expensive engagement ring (specific value not important but for arguements sake a good few thousand pounds) abroad, through several sets of customs, potentially being stored in hotel rooms etc.

I'd almost want to keep it on my person at all time - wallet perhaps.

Is it a case of manning up, getting insurance (could I get cover for this??) and sweating frantically for a week or two until I have popped the questions.

Or Plan B - take a cheaper, simple plain band/plain band with tiny gem - propose with this and make it immediately clear the real deal is waiting at home?

I've always been accused of being far too practical, but in this case I just have nightmares of it being discovered at customs, nicked, etc etc

Thoughts appreciated chaps..

[Rosscow]

sparks85 said:

Is it a case of manning up, getting insurance (could I get cover for this??) and sweating frantically for a week or two until I have popped the questions.

That's what I did! And prayed that customs wouldn't make me get it out.......

[Foliage]

Go to claires accessories or similar buy a cheap ring, or a couple of them. Propose with that, I wouldn't take something small and valuable to countries like that. Don't tell your gf that its not the real one lol

[andyjo1982]

I proposed to my missus on a beach in Greece this summer. I'd guess the customs are nowhere near as strict as Thailand can be, but even so, I just carried it about in one of the pockets of my wallet and waited patiently for the right moment to present itself. She had no idea what I'd planned to do, and even the day before, she had to get my wallet for some money and didn't find it.

Whilst it is a good idea to get a substitute ring, I'm sure she will want some pictures of the ring on her hand and you two on holiday. Insurance will also be a good idea.

Good luck

[C0ffin D0dger]

You'll need to insure it anyway, my wife's is on the home insurance as a named item and covered for loss / damage outside of the home. Just get in touch with your contents insurer and they should be able to add it.

I'd take it with you, it won't be quite the same if you don't give her the real thing and after that (assuming she accepts) she'll be wanting to wear it the whole time so negates the concerns over customs etc. on the return leg. It's unlikely you'll get stopped on the outbound trip so I'd just put it in you carry on bag and just be careful with it.

[Disastrous]

I asked mine to marry me a couple of weeks ago (also on a beach in Greece, funnily enough) and as it was a sailing trip, I was a bit concerned about losing the damned thing overboard. Fortunately, the designer offered to cast me a replica in cheap silver with a CZ stone for an extra £50.

Double win as it meant she was able to make any little tweaks to the design (of course she didn't, thanks to my impeccable taste) if she wanted to, before the real thing was made.

Worked out really well and she didn't even realise it wasn't the real deal until I (stupidly!) told her.

As it happens, I'm just off to buy the real diamond this morning but if you're getting the ring made, it might be worth going this route? Meant she still had a prop version of the real ring for photos and so on but with no real risk.

[nitrodave]

If you have the ring already, leave it at home and get something that looks nice and doesn't cost much to do the deed with. it will remove all your worries and still be just as effective.

If you haven't already got the ring, still buy something cheap to propose with then go shopping together for one. She will be pleased you are letting her decide on the style of ring.

[markmullen]

I proposed in Dubrovnik in July, took the ring through buried in my camera bag. By bag went into the scanner at Manchester and stopped, the screen fully visible and the ring grinning out in amongst the cameras. With that the staff decided to change shift, so took 5 minutes with it on screen. I was convinced my girlfriend would see it but fortuitously she was busy being patted down and didn't get chance to see it!

Other than that don't worry, don't forget (hopefully) it is likely to be on your O/H's finger forever more, wherever in the world you go, so just insure it and crack on.

Good luck.

[stuartmmcfc]

You'll probably have your carry on bag checked on the way out.
I just queitly mentioned there was a ring in the bag and the official was very discrete.
No problem at all, I guess they're used to it.

[Simon Brooks]

Why not propose right at the start of the trip, thereby passing responsibility for safe keeping of said ring to significant other !!!

[BrabusMog]

I also proposed in Greece this summer I just kept it in that tiny pocket on the front of my jeans going through the airport and then left it with the hotel reception. No problems whatsoever.

[Shaoxter]

sparks85 said:

Or Plan B - take a cheaper, simple plain band/plain band with tiny gem - propose with this and make it immediately clear the real deal is waiting at home?

Far too practical. A couple of friends did this when they got engaged recently and my wife told me how unromantic that would have been for her...

Just take the ring with you, if she finds out at airport security then just propose there and then, will make for a funny story one day. Thailand and Cambodia are perfectly safe unless you're staying in budget places.

[JuniorD]

Not entirely relevant to the OP, but my best bud's wife was working in the US for 6 months during which time she lost her engagement ring, assumed down the plughole of the bath and out into the municipal waste of the appartment block. Anyway, ring lost (£10k worth I'd guess) and insurance not paying out

[sparks85]

Thanks all for your feedback. It's good to get honest opinions on something that isn't easy to discuss with many people in real life!

I think my mind is made up, I will make sure insurance is in place and take the real deal and just be sweating it for a week or two!!

[Impasse]

Simon Brooks said:

Why not propose right at the start of the trip, thereby passing responsibility for safe keeping of said ring to significant other !!!

Because a "No" would put a real downer on the holiday.

[Winky151]

Swallow it. If you're going for 3 weeks it should be out by then.

[shikari83]

I had this dilemma last year when I proposed in New York.

I put the (real) ring in a small box (not a ring box) in an internal pocket in my hand luggage bag. The only part I was worried about was my bag being pulled out at security where they usually take everything out! I got her an alternative little surprise so if it happened I could tell her to bugger off to the side whilst they searched my bag and then give her that after security if needed therefore not ruining the real surprise.

Luckily it got through ok but I was sweating for a few minutes!

I kept my bag next to my feet on the plane then the box got put in the back of the safe in the hotel for 4 days until I did the deed on our last night. ... and then proposed

Edited by shikari83 on Tuesday 29th September 15:40

[Shaw Tarse]

Impasse said:

Simon Brooks said:

Why not propose right at the start of the trip, thereby passing responsibility for safe keeping of said ring to significant other !!!

Because a "No" would put a real downer on the holiday.

And mean no sex!

[Koofler]

Shaw Tarse said:

Impasse said:

Simon Brooks said:

Why not propose right at the start of the trip, thereby passing responsibility for safe keeping of said ring to significant other !!!

Because a "No" would put a real downer on the holiday.

And mean no sex!

He's going to Thailand and Cambodia. It's their second major industry after tourism.

[Impasse]

However, he's also proposing marriage so sex will be off the cards pretty soon anyway.