What is classed as a long engagement?

Question

I know this is a bit of a ''how long is a piece of string?'' question but im wondering generally what is classed as a long engagement?

I got engaged at the weekend and my dad asked me if it was going to be a long engagement (he only just paid off my sisters!lol) i said yes but im thinking june 2012 is that classed as a long engagement??

Also how long after is it appropriate to have an engagement party as I would like to leave it a while?

Thanks!

Answer 1

anything after a year, i would consider as long.

people sometimes, get engaged, then marry within months.

but, it does take sometimes 2 years to get the church and hall at the same time

because they book up♥

Answer 2

Traditionally, anything over a year is classed as a long engagement but in today's times a long engagement is usually extended to 3-5 years since most couples take at least a year to plan their wedding.

Answer 3

"How long is a piece of string" LOL! Ive never heard that expression.



I would say between 2-3 years is a long engagement. 1 1/2 years doesnt seem that long to me, thats how long it actually took us to plan ours.



An engagement party is typically thrown for you by your parents or best friend. And it should be right after the engagement, within a month I would say. If it is any longer, the excitement has worn off its old news.

Answer 4

IMO, 18-24 months is getting long. Up to 3 years is definitely long, but on rare occasion there is a good reason as to why it just has to be that way. More than that is getting ridiculous, though.



The engagement party usually happens pretty soon after engagement, but do wait until your date has been set. That's when you're truly engaged.

Answer 5

I would say over a year is a long engagement. My husband and I had an 18 month engagement. We needed the time to save money to pay for our own wedding - destination wedding. I would hold the engagement party 6-8 months before the wedding, personally because I think the novelty of being engaged dissappears as well as the attention if you have it so early since you are planning a summer 2012 wedding.

Answer 6

If my father aked me that, I'd say, we were thinking June '12. I do think that's a long engagement, yes.

IMO, an engagement party should be held very soon after the engagement occurs. It's a party to celebrate getting engaged, and if it happened 6 months ago, the point is gone, really.

Answer 7

An engagement party is to announce to your families that you are engaged. This is not a gift grabbing opportunity. The longer you wait the less effective an engagement party is because by that time, it is old news and the engagement party loses it's purpose.



A long engagement is anything over two years, because typically, it can take a year or two to secure the venue location. As long as you have a date set, people will certainly know you are serious about your relationship and have plans to take it to the next level.

Answer 8

I personally think 3+ years is long. Near 1 year is 'normal'.



I'd like a 1-2 year engagement :) I need lots of time to plan it perfectly! Hehe.



I know people who've been engaged for 7+ years though and not for any particular reason (e.g. money or age).



Edit: Didn't notice your engagement party question. I think it would be acceptable to have it within 2 months after you announce your engagement. Earlier is always best but if you'd rather not have it soon, you have every right to postpone it....I'm sure people will still be happy to celebrate your engagement :)

Answer 9

A Year to Year and a Half, IMO, would be the borderline between typical & long.

Where I'm from (NYC Suburbs) many reception venues book about a year to 18months in advance so if you went looking that would be the earliest you might find some dates available so it is pretty commonplace for an engagement to last 12 - 18 months. Once you go beyond that, it gets long.



I'd say June 2012 is long, but not crazy-long.

Answer 10

Yes a piece of string because everyone is different. My engagement was just 7 months but a longer one gives you more time to save up for the wedding or house or make sure getting married is what you both definitely want. As for the engagement party, have it when you want it and can afford it....

Answer 11

I am now engaged for the second time and my fiance is in the defence so because of that our date is set in July 2012 but could change if they don't approve it.



I Truly believe that an engagement party happens about 6months before the wedding, and a long engagement is traditionally longer then 18months.



Hope this helps.

Answer 12

Generally you get married within a year of getting engaged, As that leaves enough time too get the wedding planned and arranged.



Anything longer than that is concidered a long engagement.



Some people are engaged for years though, but thats unusual. Its generally assumed if your engaged that you want too get married and will do it straight away, meaning that year.

Answer 13

Anything 1 year or more would be a long engagement

Answer 14

It's not long since you actually have a date. I'd say on average any waiting period over 2 years is a long engagement.

Answer 15

In my mind, anything over a year is a long engagement - just personal opinion.



As far as engagement parties go, they should be held soon after the couple is engaged (within a few months).

Answer 16

After a year and into two years and more.

Answer 17

i consider a 'long' engagement over two years personally...



maybe you should ask your dad what he would consider long lol

Answer 18

20 months is long. Over 24 months is too long.