Sparks are flying and love is in the air. So how long should you date before getting engaged?
They say that when you know, you know. You may have only met your significant other a short time ago, but you feel strongly that they’re “the one” and you’re positive they feel the same. So why not just cut to the chase and make it official? How long should you date before getting engaged? As with most things in life, the answer is different for everyone.
Image courtesy of Ken Hild Photography
Beware of ‘the honeymoon phase’
You just met someone, and you’re getting to know each other, learn about cute habits and interests, and understand their world views. Everything is fresh and exciting right now, and each day you discover something different.
After a while, there won’t be that much else to discover. You’ll truly know each other and maybe those initial “sparks” will be gone, but in its place will be a deeper love.
Or…it won’t. Maybe those cute habits aren’t so “cute” anymore, or maybe you’ve figured out that your viewpoints just don’t jive that well.
This is why dating long enough to get past the ‘honeymoon phase’ is important. That length of time will be different depending on the person and the relationship, but settle into a more comfortable place before considering long-term commitments.
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Old friends vs. new romances
Is your significant other a fling from your high school days, a friendship from college that blossomed into something more, or a recent Bumble hook up? Obviously, the longer someone has been in your life, the better you’re acquainted with them. Even if you just started to view them through a romantic lens, you may have years and years of knowing them already under your belt. That can speed up your engagement timeline a bit, if you’re both on board with the idea.
Image courtesy of ADA Studio
Your ideal engagement
What does a picture perfect engagement look like to you? Is it a big, beautiful diamond presented in an Italian villa? Is it a cozy dinner at home with a straightforward question and a kiss? Clearly one of those options takes a lot more funding than the other. The benefit of dating for a while is that it gives your significant other some time to save up for your engagement — especially if you have your eye on an expensive ring or an epic getaway.
Wedding planning timeline
Some brides want to get married a few months after they say “yes,” and some want to take their time and enjoy their engagement. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks, but knowing your preference could make the ‘how long should you date before getting engaged’ question easier.
If you know you want to take a year or more planning your wedding, you may decide to skip a few months of dating and get right to the good part. While you should still be very comfortable with your fiancé and well past the honeymoon phase, a long engagement gives both of you more time to enjoy each other’s company before diving headfirst into marriage.
Image courtesy of Captured by Christina Anne Photography
If you want to fast track to the altar, dating for a little longer may be a smart move. Wedding planning is stressful in general, but doing it on a shorter timeline is even more frenzied. You may not get quality down time to spend with your future spouse when every weekend is booked with venue tours and vendor meetings.
There’s no right or wrong amount of time to date before getting engaged. Focus on getting to know your significant other inside and out — that’s the most important thing!