How long is it acceptable to be engaged?

you can be engaged for as long as need be.. it doesn't matter how long the engagement is, just be happy :D

I would say the absolute maximum is 24 months which should be plenty of time to plan a massive wedding and get finances in order. If anyone pesters you, just say you have big plans and it takes time to do it right.

Be engaged for as long as you wish. Your family won't laugh, but rather think you are smart for waiting. Especially if you want the big formal wedding! You are right to wait for a job you want. You should be happy doing whatever it is you want. I'm sure she'll understand and realize that if she wants her dream wedding, she will have to be patient. I'm sure she'll wait, so she can gets what she wants! Good luck and I hope you find a good job soon!!

The family can offer to help PAY the wedding. My aunt and uncle paid for my cousin's wedding...Or is that too old fashioned?

Both yours and her parents could help pay.

My grandma always said, it was good to be together at least a year before getting engaged, and good to be engaged at least a year before getting married. I think that as long as you KNOW you want to marry her, and it isn't just a ploy--you can be engaged for as long as you'd like. There is nothing wrong with wanting to give your fiance the wedding of her dreams within the logical constructs of your budget. She can dream and scheme, but she also needs to face the reality of the situation and wait. It's not like you're going anywhere. :)

My fiance and I will have been engaged two years by time we get married. But there are some circumstances that can't be avoided, and our families know that (we're both active duty military) but that still didn't stop our families from asking when's the wedding date. (Fiance and I have been together four years on our wedding day which is September of next year) Some people have longer engagements than others. We could have easily did the courthouse marriage, but I wanted my wedding to be a real wedding.

I hope your fiance understands the financial issue and doesn't expect her "dream" wedding now. I hope she can either settle for something within budget if she wants to get married soon, or she can patiently wait until you guys are financially able to provide the wedding she desires.

I think the most important thing is to make sure the actual ceremony happens. And if you do have a long engagement make it wonderful so people will know it was worth the wait.

in reality, more than 2 years and people will not take you seriously. Do an engagement with 2 years or less.

Right on brotha! Nothing like showing her that you're willing to be "whipped" from the very start. By all means, buy her an engagement ring that you can't afford. Then, go into debt to have an extravegant wedding. Then, whatever she wants, make sure you buy it, just use those plastic cards.

Then, when you're totally exhausted in life, tell her how you really feel! Divorce will most likely cost you far less than the wedding. So, that's one bright spot to look forward to.

honestly who gives a **** what others think. if your happy then stay that way

First of all, I would say take whatever job comes along first while still looking for the right job. You can't put your whole life on hold, life still goes on. People can be engaged for as long as they want. But I would think that if I knew someone that was engaged more than 2 years I would wonder why they even bothered in the first place. But that is just me personally. Good luck! Life is what you make of it!

My friend was engaged for 7 years. Honestly, it is much smarter to take some time and to get back up on your feet. Marriage means helping one another not only be emotionally stable together but also financially stable. You know that you want to marry this woman. And I am sure she is excited to put it all together. But just explain that the church, limos, reception hall, etc, should wait until you have gotten a job again. It is the responsible thing to do.

Besides, this way she has a lot more time to plan the perfect wedding.