求婚
The Proposal / Wedding Guide — The Complete Process from Choosing a Ring to Proposal Day
A proposal is one of the moments in life most worth preparing for carefully. Over thirty years, CathyPaul has witnessed countless couples through this journey — this article compiles the questions we are asked most often, to help you navigate every step with confidence.
Timeline Planning — How Far in Advance Should You Prepare?
Ideally, we recommend starting preparations 2 to 3 months before the proposal date. The process includes: choosing a ring design (2-3 weeks), customisation or resizing (2-4 weeks), planning the proposal scene (1-2 weeks), and a final rehearsal (1 week). For CathyPaul's own in-house designs, the overall production time is approximately 6-8 weeks.
How to Plan Your Budget
There is an old saying about spending "three months' salary", but in practice, your budget should be determined by your financial situation and both partners' expectations together. Common engagement ring budget ranges in the Hong Kong market:
- HK$30,000 - 50,000: 30 to 50 point centre stone, VS clarity, G-I colour
- HK$50,000 - 100,000: 50 to 70 point centre stone, VS clarity, F-H colour
- HK$100,000 and above: 1 carat or above centre stone, VS clarity or above, D-G colour
We recommend allocating 60-70% of your budget to the centre stone, with the remainder invested in design and setting craftsmanship.
Three Tips for Secretly Measuring Ring Size
- While she's not looking, press one of her frequently worn rings into soap or soft clay, and bring it to CathyPaul for measurement.
- Check whether any of her other rings have a size number engraved on the inside.
- If you really cannot measure it secretly, CathyPaul offers free resizing within 6 months, so you can bring her back to the store to adjust the size after the proposal.
Choosing a Ring Style
CathyPaul's engagement ring collection is divided into six main categories:
Solitaire — A timeless classic that suits any hand shape, and the choice of 60% of our clients.
Graceful Curves — A streamlined setting, romantic and feminine.
Classic Pavé — Pavé diamonds along the band enhance overall brilliance.
Side Stone — Small diamonds accent either side of the centre stone, for a richer visual effect.
Halo — A halo design in which the centre stone is surrounded by a ring of small diamonds, visually enlarging the centre stone by up to 30%.
Fashion — A bold design, suited to a partner with a distinctive personality.
Proposal Location Suggestions
Popular proposal spots in Hong Kong include: Victoria Peak, Sai Ko Shan, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel, Pak Shek Kok waterfront, and hotel rooms with a view. We recommend choosing a location that holds special meaning for the two of you — where you had your first date, or her favourite restaurant — as this can be more moving than a so-called "most scenic" spot.
Choosing Matching Wedding Bands
After a successful proposal, the two of you can return to CathyPaul together to choose your wedding bands. We recommend that the wedding band design echo the engagement ring: if the engagement ring is simple, the wedding band can carry a touch more detail; if the engagement ring is elaborate, the wedding band should be more understated for balance.
CathyPaul offers exclusive wedding band discounts for clients who have purchased an engagement ring — please ask your consultant for details.
Ongoing Care and Commemorative Services
All CathyPaul rings enjoy lifetime free cleaning, inspection and polishing services. We also offer anniversary ring engraving and diamond upgrade services, so your engagement ring can become a story that continues throughout your life.