25 Engagement Ring Tattoo Ideas For When You Don't Want To Go Traditional

Engagement rings have been a tradition for centuries, but as time moves on, more and more people are realizing rings aren't for them. In heterosexual couples, it's traditionally only the woman who wears an engagement ring after the man pops the question, but, in a time when women are becoming more vocal about their power and rights, it doesn't always feel appropriate. 

In a world where more women are now proposing to men (and attitudes towards the idea are shifting, too!) and more people are open about their LGBTQ+ relationships, the concept of an engagement ring is not always inclusive. That's why many couples are instead opting for engagement tattoos these days, putting their love in ink rather than in jewelry. Not only is it permanent, often much less costly than an engagement ring, and a fun way to get personal and creative, but it's also a way for both people in the relationship to be able to show off their love.

With seemingly thousands of engagement tattoo ideas out there, it can be difficult to know where to start when you're about to head down the aisle (and have a million other things to think about at the same time). But Women.com is here to help, as we've compiled a list of 25 of our very favorite ideas for those who want to put a twist on the traditional. Just make sure you've really thought things through before getting a matching tattoo!

If you're really looking to think outside the box when it comes to your engagement, you can always get creative with a tattoo on your ring finger. This design shared by Instagram user @wtfjoer shows a different take on the traditional band, as It features two smaller dots on either side of one big one. There are a number of different ways you can get creative and personal here in your own way. You could add dots to represent family members or children, for example, or how many years you've been together.

There has, of course, been a lot of controversy over the years when it comes to buying precious stones, particularly diamonds, because of the way they've traditionally been found and mined. If you still like the idea of a diamond being involved in your engagement though — without potentially contributing to and supporting the controversial diamond or jewelry industry — then having a diamond shape tattooed onto your ring finger could be the perfect alternative. This example has the design further up on the finger, but it would look equally good if it were placed further down on the ring finger where a traditional engagement ring would sit.

After an engagement, it's traditional to send out save-the-date cards. This tattoo idea turns that concept on its head though, as it's more about permanently saving the date of the proposal rather than the wedding. This couple actually got the date of their proposal tattooed onto their forearms, which makes a great alternative to the traditional ring. Not only is it something you can both enjoy and show off together, but it has a whole lot of personalized significance for both of you and strays from the idea of having ink on your ring finger to signify your engagement.

If you got engaged somewhere significant with an easily identifiable image or a significant landmark nearby, why not get that tattooed onto your body to commemorate your engagement? This Eiffel Tower tattoo could represent a proposal in one of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris. This tattoo is on the back of their ankle, but if you were looking to go a little more traditional while still being different, why not have a smaller version put on your ring finger?

Another major benefit of getting an engagement ring tattoo instead of a traditional ring is that you can literally choose your own personal design without having to worry too much about the cost. Engagement rings can often set people back thousands of dollars (if not hundreds of thousands if you're looking for a celebrity-style ring). By getting it in ink instead, you can create a ring shape that suits you and has a special meaning. This cute design actually has an extra special meaning, as it was created by Instagram tattoo artist @lemon.droop for their own partner. Adorable!

This partial engagement ring band tattoo is a fun, yet still non-traditional, idea for those looking for something a little more understated to replace a physical ring. We think this simple leafy band design would also make a great way to signify and celebrate a marriage after the wedding too. It could stay open-ended following the engagement, but then be filled in and have both ends meet to create a full circle once you and your partner have officially tied the knot.

This one's not for the faint-hearted, as there is a lot of advice out there against getting someone else's name tattooed on your body. But if you're sure that's what you want, this would be perfect for couples aiming to solidify their love for one another following a proposal and ahead of the wedding day. These partners got each other's names inked on their ring fingers to celebrate their commitment to one another (and their impending nuptials), but the tattoos can also serve as wedding rings if you or your partner would prefer not to incorporate jewelry into any of your milestone moments.

If you're getting engagement tattoos, what could be better to show off your love for one another than getting tattoos you can literally put together to create something new? One member of this couple got a red heart on their ring finger, while the other got an arrow. Of course, we already know arrows have a special meaning when it comes to love and relationships, while the heart is the most obvious symbol of love. So putting them together to make this adorable shape only makes sense.

If you're looking to get matching tattoos, but still want to put your own twist on things, these moon and sun tattoos are a great compromise. They're not explicitly related to engagement, which makes them ideal for those who don't want to do something too traditional, yet they still make a bold statement about your relationship with your partner. This couple opted for one person to have a filled-in sun and the other a filled-in moon, which is an amazing way of symbolizing a partnership without being too on the nose. If you did want to link it slightly more to the idea of commitment and marriage though, this is one you could always get on your ring fingers.

If rings aren't your thing, you may prefer to get a floral tattoo on your ring finger instead. This person got matching lavender tattoos with their partner. Lavender is particularly poignant following an engagement as, per 1-800-Flowers, it can represent the notion of purity, devotion, and calmness, which, for many people, might be how they like to describe their relationship. Likewise, though, if you have a flower that's particularly tied to your relationship or reminds you of your partner, why not get that instead?

For those looking to really get creative with their engagement tattoos, why not create your own stamp to commemorate the super special moment? This fun and creative idea saw a couple get ink celebrating the year in which they got engaged, as well as the location. There are a number of different ways you could further customize it if you're looking for some similar ink. You could add each other's initials or even full names into the circle, and you can also change the placement depending on what means the most to you. It's also one you could get solo if your partner isn't all that into the idea of matching tattoos.

One of the ultimate ways to prove how in love you are with someone has to be to literally get their face tattooed onto your body, right? If you've really thought long and hard about your decision and you're happy to really go literal with your love for your other half, something like this is a way to really put your love on display. Following their engagement, this couple got each other's profiles inked into a scientifically-accurate outline of a heart on their ring fingers as a bold alternative to rings.