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The average engagement length: what is the right time to get married?

The engagement is one of the most beautiful promises in the world and after the engagement party the question quickly arises: When to get married? Find out when is the best time or best season, keeping the average engagement length in mind.

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How Long Should You Wait Between Engagement and Marriage?

When should you tie the knot after that magical proposal? The timeframe between engagement and wedding is completely flexible, with no legal requirements or deadlines. Your engagement creates an emotional bond rather than a legal obligation, allowing couples to set their own timeline.

While you can technically wait as long as you wish, most couples prefer not to delay unnecessarily. Practical considerations often influence timing - venue availability, guest schedules, and seasonal preferences all play important roles. Popular summer wedding venues may require booking a year in advance.

The best approach is open communication with your partner about what works for both of you. Professional commitments, family circumstances, or personal preferences might affect your decision. Remember that while family input matters, the perfect wedding timeline ultimately depends on what makes you both comfortable as a couple.

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couple getting married during summer season after they got engaged during spring season

When should I get married after engagement? Here’s how to choose a wedding date

There are no legal regulations for the period between the engagement and the wedding, nor are there any deadlines that must be met. The reason for this is the non-binding nature of the promise of marriage in the legal sense. The promise for marriage connects two people in an emotional and moral way rather than legally.
Theoretically, the time frame between gifting the love of your life an engagement ring and the wedding celebration can be as long as you like. However, the realisation of a promise should not be delayed for an unnecessarily long time. No one likes to be put off for a long time, no matter how expensive the engagement ring was.
Choosing a wedding date is often more than just marketing a day on the calendar. It involves considering numerous factors such as:

  • Personal milestones: some couples might want to align their wedding with significant dates like an anniversary or a meaningful holiday.

  • Seasonal preferences: the choice of season often dictates the wedding theme, venue availability, and even guest comfort. Winter weddings exude a cosy charm, while summer weddings offer outdoor splendour.

  • Family and friends: it’s essential to consider the availability of your inner circle. Ensuring key family members and friends can attend might influence the final date.

  • Budget considerations: peak wedding seasons can be costly. Opting for an off-peak date might offer financial benefits.

Short vs Long Engagements: Pros and Cons

The short - pros and cons

Pros: A short engagement keeps momentum and excitement high, reduces prolonged decision fatigue, and can lower some costs by avoiding multiple vendor price increases. It forces prioritisation, which helps couples focus on what matters most. Tip: with a tight timeline, book venue and photographer first and consider bundled venue packages that include catering and coordination.

Cons: A brief timeline limits vendor choice, increases pressure to decide quickly and can leave little room for bespoke touches such as custom stationery or multiple fittings.


The long - pros and cons

Pros: A longer engagement gives time to save, search for dream vendors and plan complex or destination events without rushing. It allows extra time for dress fittings, bespoke design elements and staggered payments.

Cons: Extended timelines can lead to planning fatigue, second-guessing and shifting schedules for guests. Tip: use a long engagement to lock in top vendors early and set interim deadlines to avoid endless tweaks.

What is the average engagement length?

The average engagement length varies across cultures and regions, but generally, couples tend to be engaged for about 12 to 18 months. This period strikes a balance between having ample time to plan an elaborate celebration and maintaining the excitement that follows the proposal.

Average Engagement Lengths Around the World

Average engagement lengths vary a lot by country, and that affects how you plan. Below are typical timeframes and a short note on what each rhythm means for organising a wedding. These are general patterns drawn from international surveys and reporting.
 
United States  -  about 15 months. Couples often take a bit over a year to plan. That gives time for careful vendor selection and means popular summer dates can fill up fast, so book venues and photographers early.
 
United Kingdom  -  about 20 months. Longer engagements are common, partly because couples reserve sought-after venues and work around bank holidays. The extra time helps when you want a larger guest list or a specific location.
 
Australia  -  about 22 months. Seasonal factors and travel for guests often extend planning, especially for outdoor or destination weddings. Booking well ahead avoids clashes with busy summer weekends.
 
Canada  -  about 14 months. Many Canadian couples aim for a little over a year, balancing weather windows with venue availability. Choosing an off-peak date can make securing vendors easier.
 
India  -  about 5 to 6 months. Family expectations and traditional customs often push the schedule forward, so planning tends to be quicker. Prioritise key suppliers and lean on established local networks.
 
Japan  -  about 12 months. Around a year is common, combining formal ceremonies with pre-wedding preparations. This gives enough time to coordinate intimate gatherings and book traditional venues.
 
Germany  -  about 12 to 18 months. Couples often prefer a flexible window that allows detailed organisation without rush. This range suits saving up, planning logistics and reserving preferred vendors.
 
Treat these regional averages as planning benchmarks rather than rules. If your country typically has shorter engagements, expect faster vendor movement; where averages are longer you’ll usually have more time to chase specific suppliers and refine details.
a woman showcasing the wedding ring she bought for her husband, being one of the most important wedding preparations - A diamond engagement ring from BAUNAT

When should you start your wedding preparations once it’s scheduled?

Planning the wedding preparations is an enormous task and the decision on when to have it depends on the guests’ availability, the scale of the venue you are planning and the location. On certain occasions it might take up to a year to coordinate the wedding if you want all the family members, close friends and witnesses to be available at the same time.
Start by making your first wedding preparations soon after the engagement, because many popular venues get booked early during the peak wedding season in summer time. If you get married on holiday, you can often save quite a bit if you book early enough.

How to plan based on your engagement length

18 months or more

With a long engagement you can spread decisions and refine your vision. First tasks are setting a realistic budget, drafting a guest list, researching venues and checking availability for your preferred season, and choosing a wedding style. Within the first six months, reserve your venue and, if you want one, book a planner. Interview photographers and caterers and start dress and suit research. Use quieter months to secure secondary vendors, taste menus, plan travel for guests and gradually finalise décor and stationery.


12 months

One year gives a comfortable but structured window. Immediately set your budget and guest numbers, pick a date and book the venue and photographer. Around nine to ten months lock in the caterer, officiant and entertainment. At six months order your dress and send save-the-dates, then begin fittings. Between three and four months finalise seating plans, confirm vendors and send invitations.


6 months

A six-month engagement needs focused, priority-driven planning. First confirm the date and try to book the venue and photographer in the same week. Then hire the caterer, celebrant and entertainment, and order attire and accommodation. At three months send invitations, confirm vendor timelines and finalise logistics such as transport and the menu. Consider simplifying elements: a smaller guest list, a single venue for ceremony and reception, or bundled packages that reduce coordination.


3 months or less

Short timelines call for decisive action and flexibility. Prioritise venue and photographer on day one, then secure the celebrant and caterer, or choose a venue with in-house options. Keep the guest list tight and favour vendors who offer ready-made packages. Use digital invitations and accept that some details will be streamlined. Focus on the essentials that shape the guest experience: location, food and key photos. Destination wedding packages can work well if travel logistics suit your guests.

A wedding to remember with BAUNAT

Last but not least, the best time to step in front of the registrar or to go down the aisle after the engagement is up to you as a couple. The perfect wedding depends on both of you, your ideas and wishes and the vision you both have. You may of course take into account the wishes of family or friends, but the most important thing is that you both are comfortable with the schedule and the organisation of the celebration.

Explore our stunning collection and find the perfect wedding ring at BAUNAT to make beautiful memories on the most important day of your lives.

  • Fabienne Rauw

  • BAUNAT Antwerp

  • Fabienne, manager of the German market is able to guide every client with finding the right jewel. She takes care of most of the German orders, but also takes other task on her plate. Thanks to her six  years of experience at BAUNAT she acquainted well with the product and the marketing around it. Her degree in PR ensures that BAUNAT is well presented across all media channels. For anyone looking into a new investment opportunity, Fabienne is the perfect guide in this process. No question will be left unanswered, and she will help you every step of the way.

    Selected Bespoke Projects

    • Eternal Bloom bespoke engagement concept - Role: project lead for client briefing and prototype coordination. Fabienne translated personal design references into a 3D-printed prototype, supervised stone selection and ensured the finished piece matched the client’s vision and comfort preferences.

    • Personalized anniversary necklace - Role: design coordinator and quality overseer. She managed the custom design process from the initial sketch to final polishing, liaising between client and workshop to preserve proportions and finish.

    • Reimagined heirloom ring restoration and redesign - Role: client consultant and technical coordinator. Fabienne guided the client through options to modernize setting details while keeping sentimental elements, delivering a wearable result that respected the original piece.

    Her hands-on involvement in bespoke commissions ensures each custom order has a clear brief, careful prototype review and close follow-up with the workshop, so clients receive a tailored jewel that meets both aesthetic and practical expectations.

    Professional enquiries

    For speaking engagements, press requests or research collaborations, please send your message to BAUNAT’s communications team with the subject line: "Fabienne Rauw  -  Professional Enquiry." Include a brief description of the request and any relevant dates or documents. The communications team will route enquiries to Fabienne and provide guidance on next steps.

Fabienne, manager of the German market is able to guide every client with finding the right jewel. She takes care of most of the German orders, but also takes other task on her plate. Thanks to her six  years of experience at BAUNAT she acquainted well with the product and the marketing around it. Her degree in PR ensures that BAUNAT is well presented across all media channels. For anyone looking into a new investment opportunity, Fabienne is the perfect guide in this process. No question will be left unanswered, and she will help you every step of the way.

Selected Bespoke Projects

• Eternal Bloom bespoke engagement concept - Role: project lead for client briefing and prototype coordination. Fabienne translated personal design references into a 3D-printed prototype, supervised stone selection and ensured the finished piece matched the client’s vision and comfort preferences.

• Personalized anniversary necklace - Role: design coordinator and quality overseer. She managed the custom design process from the initial sketch to final polishing, liaising between client and workshop to preserve proportions and finish.

• Reimagined heirloom ring restoration and redesign - Role: client consultant and technical coordinator. Fabienne guided the client through options to modernize setting details while keeping sentimental elements, delivering a wearable result that respected the original piece.

Her hands-on involvement in bespoke commissions ensures each custom order has a clear brief, careful prototype review and close follow-up with the workshop, so clients receive a tailored jewel that meets both aesthetic and practical expectations.

Professional enquiries

For speaking engagements, press requests or research collaborations, please send your message to BAUNAT’s communications team with the subject line: "Fabienne Rauw  -  Professional Enquiry." Include a brief description of the request and any relevant dates or documents. The communications team will route enquiries to Fabienne and provide guidance on next steps.