If you’ve been in a relationship for a while (or even if it’s been a short whirlwind romance), then you may find conversations start to drift towards what life might be like if you got married. You might have fantasised over what a shared forever might look like, or maybe family and friends have started to get a little nosy and have asked a few questions about when the two of you might get engaged.

If you know you want to be with this person forever, but you’re not sure about how long isn’t long enough before either popping the question or accepting a proposal, then don’t worry – you’re not alone.

But when you think about it, is there really such a thing as too soon? Or too late? And how do you really know when is the right time to get down on one knee?

The quick answer to this question is… it depends. It depends on how you feel and if you think now is the right time to take things to the next stage. Because you’re the only one who can accurately answer a question about your life.

But, that’s a bit of a cop out when it comes to an answer, isn’t it?

That’s why we do sort of have an answer for you. An actual (semi) scientific answer that tells you whether or not you’re in line with when couples choose to get engaged. The Bridebook 2025 Wedding Report offers a peek into how real couples handle the proposal timeline in today’s world.

Before we break it down, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t compare your own relationship to the averages of couples across the UK. Averages are just that… an average. Plenty of couples get engaged way before and way after these timeframes. When it comes to relationships, there’s no such thing as ‘normal’.

So… how long are couples actually waiting before they get engaged?

According to our 2025 Wedding Report, here are what the numbers say about today’s engagements in the UK:

Average engagement length in 2025: 26 months (just over two years)
22% of couples get engaged within the first year of dating
64% get engaged within two years of dating
Average age of engaged couples: 34.4 years
30% of newly engaged couples are under 30
19% of newly engaged couples are over 40

What does this all mean? Well, most couples are dating for around two years before getting engaged, and many are doing it a little later in life than we used to a generation or two ago. It’s becoming more and more common for people to focus their younger years on their careers, which means the whole marriage (and children) thing is getting pushed back. And that’s okay!

So if you’re in year three of your relationship and still just sharing the bill on date night, you can relax. You’re right on track, if there is such a thing as a right track when it comes to relationships at all.

Why some couples wait to get married (and why that really is okay)

Getting married is a big deal. Even if it feels completely natural and right, and is 100% the right thing to do for your future, it’s still a massive decision to make.

For some people, making that decision isn’t easy. But, that doesn’t mean you’re no less perfect for each other than others who choose to jump in much faster.

There’s no such thing as the right time to get married. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some couples get married right in line with the average, some much more quickly, and others decide to wait indefinitely.

There are a million and one reasons why this might be, but we’ve run through some of the most common below, to show you that waiting (for whatever reason) shouldn’t be the cause of any stress – because every reason is valid.

Emotional readiness

Being in love is one thing. Being ready to build a life together, to last for the rest of your lives, is another thing altogether.

Some couples want to test their communication and the ability to handle the not-so-romantic stuff, like paying bills and family drama, before committing. You may not even think of it as emotional readiness – which isn’t quite the same thing as emotional maturity. You just have to be sure that you’re prepared to take on all the emotions that come not just with an engagement and wedding, but also for as long as the two of you are together. Once you’re emotionally ready, it lays the groundwork for a long and happy marriage.

Life logistics

While you may know that you’re committed to your partner and are sure you ultimately want to build a future together with them, there might be a few other things you need to take care of first. And those ‘few other things’ might actually be pretty huge. It could be that you’re in the process of forging your dream career. Or maybe you want to be free from a big loan repayment. Or you’re still trying to figure out a long-distance relationship.

When you have other things on the go, it can take up a lot of space mentally. The last thing you need when planning a wedding is long work days, tons of travelling or a big move. In most cases, getting engaged can wait. After all, you’re still together – that’s not changing – and for many people, time is on your side.

Family and cultural expectations

Every family – and every culture – tends to have its own unspoken (or very loudly spoken!) timeline when it comes to the rules of relationships. In some cultures, it’s perfectly normal, even expected, to talk about engagement before you’ve even celebrated your first dating anniversary. There might be gentle nudges from relatives, or not-so-subtle questions at every family gathering, like, ‘So, when are you getting down on one knee, then?’

It’s worth remembering that these family or cultural expectations can influence how you and your partner feel about your timeline. Sometimes it’s external pressure, sometimes it’s a shared cultural value you both want to respect. Either way, it’s added pressure that can get rather overwhelming. Talking openly about these influences can help you both understand where the other is coming from, to help you figure out a path that feels right for you.

Personal priorities

Maybe you’ve both got big dreams that you want to tackle before getting married, like travelling the world, buying a home or reaching certain career or personal milestones. Many modern couples are choosing to focus on building that solid foundation before popping the question, especially if they’re still pretty young. Taking time to grow together, plan for the future and feel truly ready isn’t just practical; it’s a thoughtful way to start a marriage on a strong footing.

Signs you might be ready to get engaged (no matter how long it’s been)

You can’t force an engagmenet, or marriage – it’ll only feel right to you when everything slots into place, whatever that might look like to you.

Forget the calendar. What really matters is the quality of your relationship, not the number of days it might have been since your first date.

Here are five signs you might be ready:

1. You can argue without threatening to break up

Couples who are in a good place know that disagreements are normal. They happen all the time, from the big stuff to the little stuff. You’ve likely had your fair share of spats over things like bills, plans or whose turn it is to change the bins, but you handle them without ultimatums. You find it easy not to fight, and if you do, you make up fairly quickly. You don’t throw out hollow threats or escalate things more than you need to. Instead, you’ve learnt to cool off, talk it through and find solutions together. The fact that you fight fair (and make up again) is a huge green flag for engagement readiness.

2. You know each other’s stress triggers (and how and when to soothe them)

Over time, you’ve learnt what makes each other tick… and what makes each other sick. Maybe you know your partner need space after a long day, or they know that bringing you an iced coffee instantly cheers you up. You’ve developed little rituals and habits that calm the other person down, showing a deep level of care and awareness that only comes with a strong bond.

3. You trust each other’s decisions and respect each other’s independence

You’ve likely been together for some time now, so you’ve become a great team. But, you’re also two individuals with your own thoughts, dreams and opinions. You trust each other to make choices without second‑guessing or micromanaging, from the big stuff like careers to the small stuff like what to pick up for dinner that night. You respect each other’s need for space and independence, knowing it doesn’t take away from the relationship; it actually strengthens it.

4. You still want to be together even when it’s hard, messy or just boring

For the most part, life is pretty great with your other half, right? Even so, there will be the odd time when things aren’t quite as fun or glamorous. Sometimes it’s watching a film and passing out on the sofa, and other times it’s consoling the other person when they don’t get that job they really wanted. If you’ve experienced those less-than-perfect moments in life and still feel like this is your person, that’s a strong sign you’re ready for a lifelong commitment.

5. You feel safe, both emotionally and physically

A destined-for-forever relationship is about knowing you can drop your barriers and be yourself without judgment. You can cry in front of them, share your weird little quirks or admit your fears, and they love and respect it all. That emotional security is an incredible foundation for a partnership that will last forever.

If these resonate with you, then maybe it is time to take things to the next level? For more information on the signs that you might be ready, read our guide featuring 15 relationship green flags that say you’re headed down the aisle.

Questions to ask before the ring comes out

If you’re umming and ahhing over whether right now is the right time for you to get engaged, there are a few questions you can ask that might help you decide if you should or shouldn’t wait a little longer:

Do we handle conflict in healthy, respectful ways?
Have we talked about money openly and honestly?
Do we want similar things when it comes to family and lifestyle?
How do we support each other’s growth, both individually and together?
Are we aligned on where and how we want to build your life?

If you can answer these positively and confidently, then whether it’s been eight months or eight years, you might well just be ready to take things to the next stage. For more information, read our article featuring 15 conversations to have before the engagement ring comes out.

The best timeline is… yours

If you’re still wondering, ‘Are we taking too long?’ or ‘Is this moving too fast?’, then take a step back and have a good, long think about it.

There’s no perfect number. What works for another couple won’t necessarily work for you, so don’t let unnecessary pressure force you into making a decision before you’re ready. What matters is that your relationship feels like home. That you feel safe, seen and supported. That you know you’re building something real.

Remember, the goal shouldn’t be to give or be given a ring and throw the party of a lifetime; it’s to choose a partner who’s right for you and with whom you want to spend every single day for the rest of your lives.

And if that means not getting engaged right now, then that’s absolutely fine!

Recently engaged, or soon to be engaged?

If you’ve decided now’s the right time to get engaged, why not start planning your wedding with Bridebook? We’ve got all the tools, tips, tricks and inspo to help you plan your perfect celebration, stress-free.

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Happy Planning!

Mike Jeavons

Last updated: 28th Jul 2025

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