The engagement period is a joyous time for couples, as this gives them a sneak peek at what their married life is going to look like. With the average engagement lasting 15 months, a whole new level of intimacy opens up between couples as they get to know more about each other and their respective families. But as modern couples spend most of this time planning their wedding, it’s likely that they’ll argue more than normal as they try to cope with the stress, pressure, and demands during the wedding preparation. To build the way towards a happy marriage, it’s important to make the most of the engagement period: after all, it’s about so much more than wedding planning. To stay in love and form good marital habits, here are ways to strengthen your relationship after getting engaged. 

Keep the romance alive

If you’re one of the many couples who chose to postpone their wedding due to the current health crisis, know that your choice may be more beneficial to your relationship than you think. One of the advantages of having a prolonged engagement is that you simply get to spend more time together without having to worry about the responsibilities that come after marriage, so don’t take this time for granted: make it count. Keep wooing each other by going on romantic dates or doing small acts of love for one another. Carve out time to spend with your partner, and focus on giving each other attention and affection when you’re together. By doing so, you’ll keep the romance alive in your relationship, and you’ll stay loving towards one another even after you say ‘I do’. 

Sign up for classes that will enhance your married life

Being married means dealing with responsibilities and being there for each other every step of the way. But if you think both of you need a little help to do everyday, adult tasks more efficiently, why not sign up for classes that will enhance your married life? You can enroll in a cooking class so you can take turns making meals once you’re married, or sign up for a money management course if you need some help in this area. You can even take a religious or non-religious pre-marriage course so you can build your conflict resolution skills, learn to communicate well, and resolve any fears before entering the marriage. Taking the time to take these classes enables you to build a strong foundation for your marriage and help you get through challenges that may arise in the future.

Be a team

Some family members can get quite demanding during the engagement period as they’ll want to have a say in the wedding preparations, and they may pressure you or your partner to give in to what they want. It may have been okay to let them have their way when you were just dating, but now that you’re engaged, it’s time to act like a team. Discuss the things that you and your partner want for your wedding, and while you can compromise on some matters with your family members, ultimately, this day is about the two of you. Be there for each other when meeting family, and let them know that you’ve got each other’s backs, no matter what happens. 

The engagement period is a special time in your lives, so make it count by keeping the love alive, preparing yourselves for marriage, and working together as a team. Not only will you become closer, but you’ll also be building the way towards a happy and healthy marriage.