How long should you date before considering marriage?
by 
powergirl2
ANSWERS: 49
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Like so many things in relationships, there is no formula for determining this. Every situation is different. So many things to consider, such as; Are you done with school yet? Do you have a way to support yourselves? Do you have compatibility in moral issues, religious faith, life plans (like career and children) and the like? Do each of you get along with the other's family? What do your parents think about your relationship? Give these things serious private thought, and if you have positive answers in most or all of these areas then you may wish to bring up the subject for discussion.
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The moment that you are sufficiently certain that you wish to raise children with your mate. As you get older, however, certainty becomes elusive.
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Dating too long and you get tired of each other. not dating long enough, and you do not have time to really know each other. my wife and i dated for six months. in that time period, we traded a world of personal information and our thoughts for the future. we realized we had a lot in common. after 40 years, we are still married....to each other. based on my personal experience, i would say six months would be sufficient.
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1 year absolute minimum !! Why not live together first for a year or two then decide about marriage.
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7 years. I know that might seem like a long time, but I've found in my experience, that that is the legnth of time it takes to *really* get to know someone. If you still like them after that long, then I say go for it!
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The quick answer is..."until you feel comfortable considering marriage". But the question really isn't "how long" but how comfortable do you feel with your prospective partner? You can date for years and still not feel comfortable. Also, feeling comfortable doesn't just mean good sex or compatible astrological signs, feeling comfortable means being able to accept the other as they are, without the thought that you will change them or they will change, but accepting them just as they are. And they need to accept you the same way. This is vital.
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My aunt and uncle dated for 7 years before getting married, and they were absolutely miserable. My mom and stepdad married on the one year anniversary of when they met, and its a match made in heaven . It depends 100% on the people involved. Just make sure you know everything about each other in regards to compatibility and live together first..
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I say at least 2 years.
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Everyone is different. My husband and I dated for 4 years before we were engaged, my parents only dated for a few months and they're going on 31 years together. My best friend eloped after 2 weeks. What works for one person may not be ideal for another. I would say what is more important is that there is genuine love there and that you are truly ready to commit yourself to someone forever. My husband and I waited until we had certain things in place for our future, but my parents had nothing (dad in navy). Do what is best for you two.
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I dated my wife for less than a year before marrying her.It's been a total disaster.We are two different people and while I have not changed,she definately changed and expected me to follow suit.Ours had to do with religion.She suddenly became a strong christian and told me I should have known she always had the tendency to become one.With religion,there is usually no mutual baisi for communication.It is just too difficult.
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I guess it depends on the individual ,but for myself I never consider marriage for I feel it is a farce.I know many people that have lived together for decades without the need for marriage and marriage has proven not to hold people together.
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I don't pretend my experiences are the best for everyone, but here's my story: I married my first wife after dating her for three years. We did not live together during that time. After we got married and moved in together, the marriage lasted one year. Less, really, as the divorce proceedings started a week before our first anniversary. My second wife and I lived together for about three years prior to getting married. We just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary this past September, the "Bronze" (traditional gift) and "Linen" (modern gift) anniversary. So my advice is long dating and/or engagement periods, and definitely living together prior to getting married. I think that the living together really made all the difference in the world.
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About 42 years - or long enough to seriously believe you want to spend the rest of your life with them - whichever comes first.
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Long enough that you don't question a complete group of strangers on a life decision
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its doesn't really matter, as long as you both feel like you can't live without each other then you could be ready. Also they need to know if they can stand living under the same roof as each other lol but most importantly if they feel that that person is the one they know they would like to spend most of their life with then so be it.
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Why marriage? Seriously, since over 60% of firt-time marriages end in divorce, and over 70% of second time get divorced...why bother with marriage. After all, the words aren't that important unless you want to make them so. What makes any contract work is the willingness of the parties to be bound by it. Absent that willingness, any contract can be broken. So consider just living togethr. If there are to be children, yes, marriage offers some distinct advantages. And it's true that there are some other legal considerations that make marriage an advantage under certain circumstances. So if you decide to just live together, it will take a lot of planning and some specially prepared documents. But consider the options.
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i dont think u can really put a time on it, its probably different for different couples. but ide say at very least like 2 yrs and u HAVE to live with the person b4 u marry them, no matter what. you see a totaly different side of a person when u live with them and sometimes they become totally different
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Probably about -- six years? --though honestly I don't really think marriage is necessary, though I guess it can be nice and has some benefits. But if I ever did it, I'd have to have lived with the person for a long while and be able to be comfortable with them.
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HOW MANY OF THESE POSTS INVOLVE SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE/ IN THE LIVING TOGETHER PHASE OF THE RELATIONSHIP (ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND DO NOT BELIEVE IN THIS DUE TO OUR FAITH) ITS INCREDIBLE BUT IVE ONLY BEEN WITH MY GIRLFRIEND 4 MONTHS BUT SHE ALREADY KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT ME ALL MY PROBLEMS WE'RE BOTH MADLY IN LOVE AND THE IDEA OF MARRIAGE DOES NOT SCARE EITHER OF US I AM 18 SHE IS 17 I FEEL I SHOULD WAIT TILL WE ARE OLDER BEFORE I ASK HER BUT EVRY TIME I CLOSE MY EYES I SEE HER SMILING BACK AT ME. SHE IS MY FIRST LOVE BUT SHE WAS IN LOVE BEFORE BUT SHE NOW FEELS I AM HER "TRUE" LOVE WE BOTH WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF OUR LIVES TOGETHER PERSONALLY I BELIEVE THAT IT COMPLETELY DEPENDS UPON THE INDIVIDUAL
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No rules, although it's easy to want to marry someone in the early zingy stage and then regret it later. I'm going to marry the man i met 7 years ago. I'd have married him on day one but we had teething problems for ages. We broke up for 2 years and now we're sure. I'm happy we waited even though it wasn't my choice. I think we'd both have wondered.
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I dated my husband for four years before we got married.I'd recommend a few years at least.It's good to marry someone you know,you know?
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This is situational. Did you know the person for quite some time before dating? How much relationship baggage is there to sort through? Have you taken the time to discuss your passions and dreams and whether you can support those things in each other? For some couples this is a pretty quick and direct process and for others it's longer. If you know what you need to know in order to make a commitment, it's time.
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It depends on your comfortability and understanding .... It varies from person to person :-) !
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I'm not sure it matters. I dated my ex for 11 years and never got married. I loved him and would still do anything for him, however I have no interest in being invovled with him in that manner. I have been in a relationship for about 19 months now and fill that this guy is the one. I am a hopeless romantic and believe when it's the one you know. Am I wrong?
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gee i dunno 3 maybe even 4 hours :) i really have no clue
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It depends how long you know this person. A minimum of I think 2 years is appropriate. It really does depend on the time you know each other...
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2 years at least. It may sound extreme, to some. But think about it: If you can't stay together for 2 years before marrying, how the heck will you be able to stay together for many years together once you've been bound by contract?
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I think that is a very subjective question. Some date for a few weeks, get married and live hppy life together. I dated my ex-wife for a few years, then we were engaged for a little more than a year. that marriage only lasted four years. - I would say the ammount of time you date is not as important as what is done during that time.
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Long enough to know if you love the person enough to spend the rest of your life with them.
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not sure why you were given a DR, heres 5 points. It is different for each couple. When you feel you can give 100% committment to the other person for the rest of your life, then it is a good time to get married.
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All depends on the individuals and the relationship. No set timetable. It's what the two people involved feel is right for them. (Assuming they're both of legal age.)
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Atleast a year or two..:)
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There is no hard and fast rule on this important issue. However it is important for the two love birds to know the demands of marriage before comtemplating it.
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I do not think there is any steadfast rule on how long to wait for marriage. Some couples wait, others don't. It is pretty much up to the couple to decide such a thing.
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Every individual and every couple are different. There can be no set time period. Having said that, I would say that a couple of consenting age (and ability) should wait at least a year. Wait until the relationship loses that "new relationship smell."
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6 Months absolute minimum to a year or two
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depends on your views of marriage.... I personaly am thinking about marriageability the moment I look at the girl.... ok, maybe not that early, but when I ask out on a first date you can take that to mean I am thinking it is a possibility.
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I do not think about it.
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30 seconds after you met..(if you are an adult )if it is not in question, move on, unless of course you want a free open relationship...
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I think it's different for every couple. My parents dated for four months and they have been happily married for 37 years. My friend's parents dated for 15 years and got married.
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As long as it takes to know you have planned for a lifetime. Money, kids, religious beliefs, job security, maturity, wanting children, how many and do you have the same ideas about raising children? All of these are major factors. Most of all are both of you dependant on each other for the right things? Like mutually loyal and wanting to make this commitment no matter what befalls you? Otherwise just date or live together and be done with it. Marriage is work.
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Is this Q for real?
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There shouldn't even be any serious talk about marraige until after several years in a relationship.
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does not matter . it is a piece of paper to show others . if the love is there enjoy it . why get married at all , but to enter a new tax bracket . i'm goin on 16 yrs . and ok with it . i dont need to impresss my church , others , or a god . love is love . anyone can get hitched . but love is rare .
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Decades. I know a couple of couples who have lived together for 20 years or more and have never thought of marriage.
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Whatever is right for you. If you are happy who says you must marry? If marriage is what you want and can't live wihtout and your partner isn't interested then move on.
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depends on the people in the relationship. If one of them are keen on marriage and believe that you cant be in a realtionship for any longer than 2 years without the talk of marriage, and the other has no thoughts on marriage... then its over right there and then, you two have differnt views on how a relationship should be. But ill use my relationship as an example. i have nearly been with my guy for 3 years. We have spoken about marriage, and we both want it ONE DAY but never have put a time on it. We own a house together and that is a big commitment for me at 20 years old i think. So we have discussed it and i feel as if he is committed enough to me at the moment to keep me satisfied. But say if you want marriage in the next five years and he doesnt then you either haev to live with it, or its onyl goign to cause arguments and make you feel unwelcome!
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I dated my husband for 4 yrs before we discussed marriage seriously. I think building a trusting relationship is much wiser than rushing into anything.
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There is no time limit. Why must you even get married? It is completely possible to live and love together for your entire lives without discussing marriage.
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