Each Wednesday, we tackle wedding etiquette. At times, it’s a reader question or one from a colleague, friend or family member and other times we’ll cover a popular issue. (Note: Questions may be edited for clarity and brevity.)
Question: I just graduated from college and am preparing to go out of state to graduate school. While I’m away, my girlfriend is finishing up her last year of college in our home state. Should I ask my girlfriend to marry me now or wait until she graduates from college?
Answer: First, congratulations on earning your degree and on getting into graduate school. What an exciting time. This is obviously a very personal question and one for which the answer would vary from person to person. That said, unless the two of you have come to the engagement decision together after discussing it and weighing all of the pros and cons, it’s probably better to wait when the two of you can actually spend time together after you put a ring on it. The engagement period, while certainly a commitment to take the next step into marriage, is also a time to learn more about one another and deepen your relationship. That’s often hard to do when you both live on the same block. It’s even more difficult when undertaking the feat long distance. Especially since you will both be very busy with school and potentially work commitments. Ultimately, you’ll do what you want to do, but it can’t hurt to take your time and finish up school before adding more responsibility to both of your plates.
Do you have a solution to share or a wedding etiquette question? Respond in the comments or email Melanie@MyNewOrleans.com.
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