Is a ring necessary at all?

No. It is not necessary to have an engagement ring in order to be
engaged. If you choose not to have an engagement ring, you may want to exchange other engagement gifts or tokens. Some couples exchange earrings or necklaces; others exchange gifts that are not jewelry.

Some ideas:

• Putting a down payment on a house as an engagement gift for each other
• Nice furniture, such as a roll-top desk
• a car
• bicycles, skis, or other sports equipment

Obviously, some of these gifts have more "lasting value" than others.
Some people think it's very important that an engagement gift be of
lasting value. Others don't find this important.

Other faq about getting married in Italy

• What is a Wedding Consultant or a Wedding Planner?
• What does the Wedding Planner do?
• Do I really need The Italian Wedding Planner?
• Isnt it going to cost me more to use a wedding planner in Italy than if I planned my wedding on my own?
• What should I consider when hiring a wedding coordinator in Italy?
• Will my Wedding Planner be there for the actual wedding in Italy?
• How long does a ceremony in Italy could last?
• What is a Rehearsal Dinner?
• Do I have to have a Rehearsal Dinner?
• Who is invited to the Rehearsal Dinner?
• What are my options for an inexpensive wedding dress?
• How should the groom and groomsmen be properly dressed?
• Should the groom wear something different from the groomsmen?
• Do the bridesmaids all have to wear the same dress?
• What is appropriate to wear as the bride for a second wedding?
• When should I send my invitations?
• What is the most proper way to have my invitations done?
• Does a woman's ring have to be a diamond?
• Should the man pick out the ring by himself?
• What about engagement rings for men?
• Is it necessary to have a ring in order to propose?
• What metals can a wedding ring be made out of?
• If you have both an engagement and a wedding ring, which goes on where?
• When should I choose my attendants?
• Do my attendants have to be of my own gender?
• Do I have to choose one attendant to be my honor attendant?
• How many attendants do I need?
• Is it necessary to have equal numbers of groomsmen and bridesmaids?
• What roles can people who are not attendants play?
• Who should walk me down the aisle?
• How far in advance should I book a Wedding photographer?
• How many images will I receive from my Wedding Photographer?
• Can I get black and white prints?
• Do You Offer Albums?
• Who gets priority, the videographer or the photographer?
• What should I expect from the DJ at my wedding reception?
• Why do we need a wedding website?
• How should I choose my flowers?
• I fell in love with a bouquet/cake/hairstyle that I saw in a magazine. What can I do about that?
• Why do I need to pay a deposit and why is the balance due 60 days prior to the wedding?
• Is my Italian marriage certificate legal other places besides Italy?
• Can I get my marriage license at home before I go to Italy?
• Can my pastor from home perform the ceremony in Italy?
• Can we write our own vows for our wedding in Italy?