Most couples date for two or more years before getting engaged, with many dating anywhere from two to five years. Once the question is popped, the average length of engagement is between 12 and 18 months.
One in five people (20%) say that couples should generally date for 12-18 months before getting engaged. Another 15% say they should date for 18-24 months, while another 15% think two to three years of dating is ideal. Women tended to be more slightly cautious than men.
Earnshaw offers a shorter time frame—she says people typically date for about two years on average before getting engaged—but she emphasizes that every relationship is different. "I have worked with couples who have gotten engaged within six months and those that have waited much, much longer."
This might not come as a shock, but there's no exact timeline for when you should get engaged. You may hear some "love at first sight" couples say you can get engaged after a few days, while experts may say wait three to six months.
Things You Should Know
Relationship experts recommend dating for at least 1 to 2 years before getting married. Dating for 3 or more years drops the likelihood of getting a divorce as much as 50%. While there's no right age to get married, make sure you and your partner are on the same page about your values and goals.
The truth of the matter is that there is no right or wrong length of time to wait to get engaged. Some couples wait six years before making it official, while others date for just six months—it all depends on your unique circumstances.
Is one year too soon to propose? Once again, it depends! Some couples may feel ready to marry after one year, but for others, it may seem way too fast. Make sure you and your partner agree on your relationship timeline before getting down on one knee.
“It's best to wait until at least 3-6 months to see if the feelings you have are for real or just a fading spark of lust. You need to have emotional and rational feelings towards one another.” However, award-winning relationship expert Sarah Louise Ryan said that it's never too soon.
The honeymoon phase is an early part of a couple's relationship where everything seems carefree and happy. It usually lasts from six months to two years and can be marked with lots of laughs, intimacy, and fun dates.
If he starts talking about things you both love, enjoy doing, or like to try together, it's a classic sign that he's ready to propose. When he refers to you as “we”, it's like saying you are an inseparable part of him. Pay attention to him when he talks with friends or family.
Most couples date for two or more years before getting engaged, with many dating anywhere from two to five years. Once the question is popped, the average length of engagement is between 12 and 18 months.
After about seven months together, couples have a general idea of how each other work and may have already said, "I love you." Think about it this way: Someone who has only dated around and hasn't been in a committed relationship before may absolutely consider seven months to be a long-term relationship.
Personal Space spoke to Dr. Jane Greer about why some people feel the need to get hitched (or engaged) right away. “I think if people are getting engaged quickly, they want the security and stability that comes with marriage,” she explains. “They want someone who will love and care for them.
The honeymoon phase describes the exciting and carefree early months (or years) of a relationship often filled with desire, yearning, and preoccupying thoughts about the other person.
If you feel ready to take the leap, there's no set time frame to talk about it, whether it's after six months or two year. You can subtly bring it up by talking broadly about the future: How do they feel about people living together before marriage?
An curved arrow pointing right. Dating gurus on TikTok recommend a new rule to weed out incompatible partners. They call it the three-month rule, where people can evaluate potential partners for 90 days. They recommend not exclusively dating someone — or even kissing them — for these first months.
After six months together, you and your partner will likely have a solid number of memories together. You and your partner have gone through different stages of dating. You've likely watched movies together, have had meals together many times, and you may have met at least part of each other's friends or family.
Enter the 2-2-2 rule: Try and swing a date night every two weeks, a weekend away every two months and a week away every two years.
"It may not be the norm [getting engaged in less than a year], but it is perfectly fine to get engaged at the six-month mark as a person's habits, whether good or bad, usually show up by four months," Winston tells Elite Daily.
Is Six Months In A Relationship A Big Deal? Being together for six months is a big deal for a relationship. It means that you and your partner are serious and committed to making the relationship work. The six-month period helps you figure out if you want to stay in the relationship or go separate ways.
Timelines vary from couple to couple, but most experts agree that you should be dating for at least 1 year before moving in together. Talk about important issues before you move in together, like the division of chores, finances, and alone time.