So, you have dated for a while now. You know he loves you. You love him as well. You got the ring. The big question now is: When is the wedding? This is the question that has been asked of you since the day of the proposal. You have been asked by your family, friends, etc. Unfortunately, you do not have a clear response for them as of yet. A proposal can feel like the beginning of forever, but the silence that follows can make everyone nervous.

So, how long is too long to be engaged? I have noticed that some couples use engagement as a stopping point to their relationship. The engagement becomes their zenith and they never actually reach the point of walking down the aisle. While others use engagement as a preparation for marriage. Meaning that they realize that they want to be with that person for the rest of their lives but not yet. Some couples stay engaged because it feels safe, even when the next step should already be clear.

They use the engagement as a guarantee that the person will be in their lives without fully committing to them. That is where the tension begins, because one person may see a promise while the other sees a holding pattern. Sometimes the ring becomes a placeholder instead of a plan. When that happens, the question stops being romantic and starts becoming practical. If both people are serious, the waiting should have purpose.

Up for discussion. How long is too long to be engaged? Should there be a time limit on your engagement? Is marriage relevant anymore? Some couples move fast and some move slow, but the longer the wait goes on, the more people start asking questions. An engagement should mean something, otherwise it can feel like a nice story with no ending. A couple should know whether they are preparing for marriage or simply enjoying the comfort of being stuck.