The Pros and Cons of a Long Engagement

Having a long engagement can be a wonderful option. It gives you plenty of time to plan your wedding down to every detail and also allows you and your intended to save up some much-needed cash. But what about the drawbacks of a long engagement? We've gathered up a few issues you may want to consider before deciding on the length of your engagement.

Planning the Wedding

When you have a long engagement, you can take your time deciding on vendors, caterers, photographers and everything else that goes into making a wedding spectacular. But how long is too long? For some individuals who like to get things over with in a timely fashion, a long engagement may cause more stress than joy. Waiting too long can lead to second-guessing, constantly changing plans and generally contributing to--rather than alleviating--your stress. So it's probably a good idea to ask yourself if you really want to wait a long time before you say "I do."

Scheduling Problems

Another reason why future brides and grooms may opt for a longer engagement is scheduling problems. It could be that the groom just started a new job and won't be able to take time off for at least six months to a year. Or the future bride may have her heart set on a particular venue that's booked solid through next summer. Scheduling conflicts can sometimes force a longer engagement than originally planned, but these limitations have their perks--just imagine all that extra time to show off your engagement ring.

Cold Feet?

Some people may believe that a long engagement indicates that at least one of the engaged couple is not completely sure about the marriage. The feeling is that they may want more time to get to know their future spouse better. To others, a quick marriage may seem a bit foolhardy, especially if the couple hasn't known each other very long. While these scenarios are stereotypes you might only see in the movies, you still may want to examine these possibilities.

In the end it doesn't really matter if it's a long or short engagement. The truth is you and your loved one are going to be starting a life together, and that spells happiness. So whether short or long, enjoy your engagement and, even more so, your married life together.