How To Travel With An Engagement Ring You have bought an engagement ring and plan to propose on a vacation. That is amazing! Congrats, proposing on vacation is an incredible way to ask your partner for their hand in marriage. A destination proposal can be stressful; I would know I traveled to Paris in December 2013 to propose in front of the Eiffel Tower. Paris was not our first destination in Europe. We spent 3 days in Barcelona before boarding a second plane to Paris. What this meant is that I not only had to go through TSA in the United States but customs in the European Union, and then airport security all over again on the flight from Barcelona to Paris.
For many the thought of hiding a ring while going through airport security or customs can cause anxiety. This article aims to give you tips on how to hide your ring safely and ensure it gets to future Fiancee’s finger when you arrive at your final destination. Plus many more travel tips to help guide your on how to best travel with an engagement ring.
Always keep your ring on your person or in your carry on bag. Do not put it in your check luggage. You do not want to trust your prized possession to luggage handlers.
If you are traveling to a destination that requires a jacket put the ring on an inside pocket that preferable has a zipper. This will allow you to remove the jacket when going through security and avoid the chance of a bag check.
Remember TSA or customs are not looking for engagement rings! So relax your ring box does not look like a knife in the X-ray machine. So take a breath and put in a secure spot. It is important to note that unless you buy your engagement ring on vacation you do not need declare it when re-entering your country of origin. US Customs does recommend that you take a picture of any expensive personal item prior to your trip as proof you did not buy it abroad.
Research all travel rules for airport security, customs and the airline itself. For example make sure your carry on is small enough where they wont make you check it. Do not leave water or a computer at the bottom of your bag causing a bag search. Bringing fruit is something many people don’t think on but is a big deal for customs and can cause a bag search. Also many international airlines have different rules for carry on luggage such as weight limits on top of size limits. Do some research, follow the rules and you will be fine.
Here is a check list for TSA regulations
US customs rules regarding jewelry
If you are still concerned about TSA or customs blowing up your spot and revealing your ring. Write a small note on the outside of where you are storing it telling them exactly what it is. If the rare chance they are going to pull it out of your bag this will give them a hint to keep it discrete.
Now that we have covered airport security the next is hiding it from your partner. Think about the items that would the least likely in your bag for her to touch. A good old pair of socks will do the trick. Put the ring and the box in the socks. Put in the bottom of your bag. You can also separate the ring from the box if you are traveling light. One very secure location is actually inside a deodorant tube. Most deodorant tubs can be completely rolled out of the plastic case. Carefully unscrew the deodorant and place the ring in the bottom of the deodorant case. Then gently re-insert the deodorant and screw it down till it feels tight.
Get a slim ring box. Most engagement rings come with a large clunky box that makes it more difficult to hide. The smaller the box the more discrete it is in your pocket or your suitcase.
Get your ring insured before you travel. It is unlikely you will ever use it but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Do not give your partner the code to the safe in the room. I actually made this mistake when I was on my engagement vacation. I told her the code and than my stomach sank when I realized what I did. Luckily she never accessed safe but man had me sweating! You know your partner best so if they go in the safe on the vacation find another secure place to hide the ring. If they do not go in the safe then put the ring there and do not make the same mistake I did. You can also speak to the hotel manager or concierge at the hotel and ask them to hold the ring in the Hotel’s safe. This is up to you based on your feelings about trusting the hotel staff.
Know where you plan to propose and consider what you will be wearing when you propose. For example if you are planning on proposing on a beach in your bathing suit you will have to plan accordingly as putting the ring in your bathing suit may not work. Think ahead so you are not caught on vacation without what you need.
Propose early in your trip if you can. This is another mistake I made! The longer you have the ring in the safe or hidden the longer you have to worry about it. Don’t just pop the question as soon as you get off the plane but if possible plan your trip accordingly. Try to propose the first or second day you arrive in the your destination. This also allows for a longer celebration while on vaca!
Call the location you plan to propose at ahead of time. This will allow you ask questions and avoid any surprises. For example some attractions do not allow you to bring backpacks inside or have metal detectors at the entrance. This way you can plan accordingly.
Contact a local proposal planner. If it is your first time at the destination determining your exact proposal plan can be difficult. A local proposal planner will give you the details that sometimes only a local knows. They will also help you coordinate your plan on the ground giving you confidence that your proposal will go smoothly once you arrive.
Hire a photography or videographer. Documenting your proposal is highly recommended. I made this mistake when I proposed I did not hire a photographer. Fast forward 5 years my wife is now a photographer so I will never live that mistake down. She wishes she had pictures of the moment I proposed and so do I. That is why I am sharing the mistakes I made and what I have learned over the years. Learn from my mistakes and do not have any regrets!
In conclusion just plan ahead and relax. If you follow our engagement ring travel tips your prized possession will stay safe. With a your ring arriving at your destination all you need to do is get the, Yes!
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