The person you have the problem with is your life partner, not just someone who may be transient in your life. Is this really something worth upsetting the person you love about? Is it something that you can’t reach a compromise with? Isn’t it possible that you are being just a tiny bit unreasonable? In a few states, couples that live together a certain amount of time, normally seven years or more, are considered to have a common law marriage. A marriage that is legal is one that is performed by a minister or someone that is qualified to perform the ceremony. Once the ceremony is complete the bride and groom will sign a piece of paper and a few weeks later get a certificate in the mail, in the meantime you will be given a document to show proof of marriage. The marriage ceremony in Bali includes the couple eating a dish of yellow rice, a symbol of fertility, and in the West rice is thrown at weddings to wish the couple fertility, prosperity and luck. Common law marriages, defined as when a couple lives together without obtaining a marriage certificate, have been recognized throughout the history of marriage. With people tending to get married after they have finished school and started a career, the chances of them having accumulated some assets beforehand is greater. The couple may want the agreement to specify that each person will retain ownership of any property he or she brought into the marriage. Another provision might specify that in the event of the marriage breaking down, one spouse has the right to stay in the family home (at least for a certain period of time) and will receive a certain percentage of the family assets. If you want to get sneaky, you might be able to have the restaurant staff hide the ring in your partner’s food. Desserts are a traditional hiding spot for engagement rings; Just make sure she does not swallow it! Large Public Events This one may seem a bit clich , and will not top everyone’s list of marriage proposal ideas. In addition, they are a tangible symbol of the vows the couples have made to each other on their wedding day. The Question of “Obey” The traditional wedding vows for the groom include the phrase “to love and cherish” until parted by death. For women, the traditional wedding vows were slightly different and stated that the bride promised to “love, cherish, and obey” her husband.