‘Breading’ bells are ringing for this baker who loves a pun and proposed to his now-fiancee with a very unique ring.

The ‘happy couple showing off ring’ photo is a pretty familiar one on Instagram, but while an engagement ring with baguette-set diamonds isn’t unusual, this ring might make you do a double take.

Baker Joe Perry from Valentines Artisan Sourdough Bakers (Rutherglen, Albury, Wodonga) proposed to partner Alex Mason on Saturday, October 23 on a getaway to Mitchelton Winery—a long-awaited two-year anniversary getaway.

“I thought it was as good a time as any to dust off the knee and get down and ask the question,” Joe said.

“We’re in regional Vic, so we’ve been out for a little while but we thought we’d try to get a trip in before the mad rush of Melbournites trying to get out of the city.”

But while many prospective husbands spend months paying off an expensive ring before popping the big question, Joe knew that Alex had her heart set on designing her own ring with her jeweller mother.

Not wanting to present Alex with an empty box, Joe used his expertise in the kitchen to create a place filler—a bread ring, with baguette-style salt “diamonds”!

“I thought, ‘I can’t have an empty box, it has to be something from the heart’,” Joe said.

“It was from the hands and the heart.”

The thoughtful gesture clearly hit the mark, with Joe saying Alex was “over the moon” with the ring.

“I was a bit nervous she was going to laugh at it, but there were a few happy tears—she thought it was very sweet and thoughtful,” he said.

“I’m very glad she didn’t feel at all ‘stinged-off’ by the cheaper ring. She knew there was a good one coming and she loved it.”

She wasn’t the only one who loved it, with the couple getting plenty of funny comments on their big announcement, including husbands who regret missing the chance to save some money.

“It’s funny; she got a few messages from people saying, ‘Oh the ring’s…lovely? Is it bone or wood… what’s he got you there?'”

As for when the big day will happen, the couple haven’t set a date yet, but hope to tie the knot at a time when COVID-19 restrictions have eased.

“The big party is the important thing, so we want to be able to have all of our friends and family come,” Joe said.