Russell Brand warned to ask for Katy Perry's hand in marriage

When singer Katy Perry and funny man Russell Brand made their fledgling romance public, I expect most of the world put wagers on how long it's likely to last. Russell has never been one to settle down, so few believe that he will abandon his womanising ways for the I Kissed a Girl star.

But it turns out that there are at least a couple of people on the planet who have faith that Russell and Katy will last - the 24-year-old singer's devout Christian parents.

Apparently they have given the pair their seal of approval and have even claimed that they would be happy to receive wedding invitations further down the line - provided Russell formally asks for Katy's hand in marriage that is.

This got me thinking, how many of us live by such traditional rules? Is it just deeply religious folk who believe that the parents need to be consulted before any big questions are popped? Or have we moved beyond that realm of thought to believe that engagements should just be between the man and woman?

I personally think that asking the parents' permission before proposing and commencing wedding planning is a nice tradition worth upholding. Old-fashioned customs aside, for me, it represents a sign of respect and that's a good precedent to set for the future of a marriage.

Did your fiance ask your parents for their permission before popping the question?