Weddings ~ Engagements

The Etiquette of Broken Engagements

Should Jennifer Lopez return the ring?

It may be an exquisite 6.1 carat pink diamond ring worth more than a million dollars, but the etiquette guidelines remain the same as for any broken engagement. If an engagement is broken, the bride should immediately return the ring to her former fiancé.

The only “but” in this case is if the ring is a family heirloom of the bride’s. She should then keep the ring.

Some argue that the ring should not be returned to the fiancé if he was the one to initiate the break-up—rather than a mutual decision to call it quits. It makes more sense to return it. Why keep a painful reminder of the end of an engagement just to be spiteful? It’s better to take the high road and move on.

The bride should also return any other presents of value her fiancé has given her, and he should return her gifts as well.