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The average engagement lasts between one year and 18 months, but you can take as little or as long as you want to plan your special day.
If you’ve recently said “yes” to the big question, you might be wondering how long you have to tie the knot. Let us be the first to tell you that there is no right answer to this question. The length of your engagement is entirely up to you and your spouse-to-be, and a few different factors will play a part in how long — or how short — your engagement lasts. With that said, there are some considerations to make when determining when to make it official.
In the United States, the average engagement is between 12 and 18 months. When you dig deeper into the data and look at some common wedding trends, it’s not hard to see why this is the ideal time period for many couples. After spending so much time shopping for engagement rings for women and planning the proposal, it only makes sense that you take a break before diving into wedding plans. On the other hand, you might have your own reasons to speed up the process, so a faster betrothal may be the better choice.
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If you aren’t sure whether to take it slow or speed things up, ask yourself and your partner the following questions. They will help you determine how much time you need.
- What Season Do You Prefer? — Have you noticed that people seem to get engaged more in the winter months? It may be chilly on Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day, but these are hot times to get on one knee. In fact, December is the most popular month to get engaged among Americans. With that being said, summer is the most popular time to get married, which explains why so many couples take over a year to walk down the aisle. The season in which you want to get married will help determine how long your engagement will last. For example, if you want to get married in the summer but got engaged in the spring, you’ll probably need to wait until the following year to plan the details.
- How Big and Elaborate Is Your Vision? — Bigger, more elaborate weddings have more moving parts than smaller, simpler ones, so you’ll need more time to plan them. Still, remember that all weddings take some time to plan, even those that are minimalistic. You’ll need time to find a dress (and have it altered), pick out your wedding ring sets (and have them sized) and choose a venue with a date that works for you. Make a list of non-negotiables — photo booth, a specific venue, a specific DJ or band, etc. — to help you determine how much planning will actually go into the big event.
- Do You Have a Specific Date or Venue in Mind? — Having a specific date or even a particular month in mind can be helpful to you when you’re trying to determine when to get married. However, it may make finding a venue a bit more of a challenge. The truth is that the more popular wedding venues book up well in advance, sometimes over a year early, so you need to make sure you get in before another couple books their big day on the date you wanted.
- Do You Need Time to Save? — Cost is a big reason why many couples defer their nuptials, and it’s not a bad idea if you want to save some money. The reality is that, though you can spend as much or as little as you like on your special day, the average wedding costs around $30,000. If you plan to spend a lot on the wedding and are paying for it yourself, you may want some time to save up.
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Peruse Verragio Engagement Rings
Ultimately, how long you wait to get married is totally up to you and your future spouse. Having an open discussion and considering all your options is crucial to ensuring that you get the engagement you envision. If you haven’t already popped the question (or accepted the proposal), be sure to shop Verragio engagement rings to find something that will steal the show on the special day.