The global COVID-19 outbreak has thrown a lot of things into uncertainty. Moments from small everyday things like going out with friends, to once-in-a-lifetime occasions have been affected. One such life-defining event which has been affected is weddings, with many couples finding that they’re having to delay their big day. For some couples, this situation has moved their wedding back by a few months. For others, it has meant waiting for a year or two before they can tie the knot.
If this applies to you, we are so sorry. However, seeing the silver linings in dark clouds can help at these times. For example, with long-term engagements come certain benefits. Here are four reasons why having a long-term engagement can be a good thing...
Mature with Age
Whilst we wholeheartedly DON’T recommend getting engaged if you don’t feel ready, it’s true that sometimes you can feel a little apprehensive about getting married. Cold feet can often just be a sign of nerves and excitement mixed together. After all, it is a big step to take, even if you are absolutely certain that you want to spend the rest of your life with your partner.
A longer engagement gives you a chance to experience the world and grow as a person. By giving yourself some more time, you can do that extra bit of maturing and have a better perspective on what lies ahead. Don’t be put off by the idea of waiting, it may well confirm what you already suspected; that you’re ready to start this exciting new chapter.
More Money, Less Problems
The next reason for building in extra time between getting engaged and saying ‘I do’ is that it gives you more time to save for your perfect wedding. Of course, your wedding planning is about more than just money - and quite right too.
However, there’s no denying that weddings can be expensive, especially if you’re putting together the day you’ve always dreamed of. By giving yourself more time to save, you can ensure that you can include the elements you want to. Plus, you can do this whilst not worrying about the strain on your bank balance.
It’s worth remembering that, whilst this will give you more time to save, you need to keep an eye on costs from time to time. That way, you will have a good idea of whether the budget you’ve aimed for is still realistic.
Perfect Your Plans
Having extra time engaged also gives you the luxury of greater planning time. For some couples who rushed to marry, there might be some elements of their day which had been missed. Whether that was due to cost or because they didn't think of it; perhaps they would have chosen to include that element if they had their time again over.
During the course of your engagement, you might discover music, food or flowers which, it turns out, simply can’t be excluded from your dream wedding. You also give yourself the chance to shop around, find the best suppliers at the best prices. All of this is sure to make your whole day a whole lot better.
No Double Bookings!
With a longer engagement, generally, you can expect some guarantee that anything you want to book will be available. For couples trying to plan a wedding on shorter notice, sometimes venues or suppliers already have a booking for the date they’ve picked.
The wedding industry, more than most, tends to see bookings further in advance. Whilst this might be a problem for many couples, if you have given yourself more planning time you can book with confidence.
The length of your engagement should reflect whatever’s best for you as a couple. However, there are certain benefits to a long-term one. As recent events have shown, sometimes there are factors out of your control. If you have had your wedding postponed then it’s important to try look at the positives this might bring. Now you have more time to perfect your day and spread your costs. We know this will not make the sadness of having to postpone easier, but it is important to see the positives in this terrible situation.