The data shows that a 6-month engagement, on average, leads to a long-term marriage. That does not mean it has to be exactly 6 months. It could be 9 months, 4 months, or somewhere in between. I have friends who dated for just a few weeks and have been... married for 40 years. There are always exceptions. But statistically speaking, a good, fully engaged, present-in-the-same-city engagement that lasts around 6 months has the highest probability of resulting in a successful marriage.show more

We did 5 - no reason to string it out, not if you’re staying out of bed before marriage

Women choose courtship, men pick wives. Women are conservative with who they date, men are conservative with who they marry. Women are picky when it comes to sex, men are picky when it comes to commitment. To be a wife you have to be selected. We need Fathers to teach this.

Wife and I met on Thanksgiving Day 2011 and I proposed on April 1, 2012 and we were married November 2012, so it all happened in less than one year. Been married 13 years this November with 2 kids. Christ at the center and self-sacrificing love and regular forgiveness is key.

Not disagreeing that 6 months is long enough for an engagement but it is now borderline too short to plan a traditional wedding. The best venues, florists, wedding planners, photographers, etc are often booked 12+ months in advance. The bride to be will have to get creative...

Dave, the marriage expert. LMAO

this sure feels like a causation fallacy isn't it more about the healthiest relationships that are moving toward anyway chose not to have a long engagement once they make that step?

10 months @hollyerin5

My wife and I have been married 27 years. We had a 6 mos engagement. I agree.

Interesting, I would be curious to know if couples who have longer marriages have shorter marriages than couples who were engaged for six months.

Long engagements = long marriages. It isn't so much the time, but the depth and quality of conversation to ensure both are on the same page with finances, religion, children, etc.

Great advice. 4 months for us. Married at 18 & 19 years of age, just celebrated 45 years. God in the center, same morals and values. Also thanks to your book years ago, same page on finances.