They say the best things in life are free.

For local singer Sylvester Sim, it cost $2.90.

He proposed to his Chinese singer girlfriend six months ago with an "ugly provision shop ring". And true love shone through when she said yes nonetheless.

Then, the Singapore Idol Season One runner-up had picked up his lady love, 28-year-old Sisy Wang, from Changi Airport and proposed without going on bended knee.

In one hand, he held a box containing a blue-and-red rubber ring that cost $2.90; in the other, a poster of him and Wang, drawn by his younger sister, which simply read, "Will you marry me?"

To that underwhelming sight, Wang, who had just returned to Singapore after a trip home to Guangxi, China, could only offer a mumbled "huh?" at first.

Sim went on to "explain" that he had no money and she would have to accept him for what he is.

And fairytale-esque, Wang said "yes" anyway.

Which was when Sim whipped out the real deal - a $3,000 diamond ring hidden at the bottom of the box.

The couple, who have been dating for five years, solemnised their marriage last Saturday in front of 80 friends and relatives at the Singapore Recreation Club.

Sim, 29, a guest artiste at Thai club Neverland, recounted his proposal to The New Paper: "I told her I had no money, hugged her and presented her the ugly ring and poster.

"I knew she would accept it as we've been through so many ups and downs, she's my kai xin guo (cheerful fruit in Mandarin, or a person who is always cheerful).

"After she said 'okay lah', I showed her where the real diamond ring was - hidden at the bottom of the ring box. "That cost me $3,000 but I think she still keeps the cheap ring somewhere (as a reminder of the proposal)."

So how did Wang feel about being tricked by her husband?

She said in Mandarin: "He's always full of surprises and that's how he keeps me happy.

"I was rather taken aback when I saw the fake ring but there was no doubt that I wanted to marry him."

Wang confessed that Sim was certainly not the Prince Charming she had dreamt of marrying, thanks to Sim's guy-liner rocker image that won him many fans during his Singapore Idol days back in 2004.

She said: "It's not in my culture to appreciate rockers.

"Since I was young, I thought I would fall for a man who was gentlemanly, mature and polite. But this guy was very cute and he touched my heart."

Rain had threatened to put a damper on the outdoors ceremony last Saturday. But after an hour, the sun came out and a relieved Sim got to say his marriage vows and kiss the bride.

The emotional Sim broke down during his rendition of Hope, a song he wrote and performed for his wife.

Read the full story here.