How Long to Date Before Marriage: From First Date to “I Do”

From nerves on a first date to pure joy at saying “I do,” the path from dating to marriage is thrilling. Couples often ask: how long should we date before getting engaged? It’s an age-old question, with lots of room for debate – because what works for one couple might not work as well for another. Factors such as compatibility, communication, and personal growth all play a part in choosing a lifelong partner. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of dating and engagement statistics and uncover the ideal length of time couples should stay together (according to facts!). 10 Key Marriage Statistics DoULike Data on Dating Length Before Marriage Public marriage statistics explain how long couples date before getting married. What they don’t show is how couples behave during that time. Aggregated 2025 usage data from DoULike helps fill that gap. Based on anonymized user activity: These patterns suggest that for many couples, marriage decisions form gradually. Instead of a single moment, commitment builds through reduced outside dating, deeper conversations, and long-term planning over time. General Trends Showing How Long to Date Before Marriage How long is the date before marriage? The length of time that …