Brits would end a relationship if they're not engaged after five years

With a +360% increase in Brits searching for 'how to hint at an engagement' and a +215% increase for a 'dream wedding'* it seems many Brits are eagerly waiting for their partner to pop the big question – but how long do Brits wait?

A new study by greetings card marketplace thortful.com, who polled 1,000 Brits who are either engaged or newly married, revealed just how long you might be waiting for a ring and the nation's true thoughts on everything to do with getting engaged. Whilst we all want a ring on the finger it's definitely a nerve-wracking experience!

Unsurprisingly, one in eight Brits (12%) said they found proposing to be a nerve-wracking event. According to the research, prior to engagement couples are still getting serious, with 46% having open discussions about each other's finances. Over a quarter (26%) of couples have opened a joint bank together, and while 68% live together, 22% take the plunge and buy a house together before getting engaged.

So where do brits have to wait the longest for a proposal?
Now we know that the average wait for a proposal is just over 2 and a half years, you might be wondering if this varies depending on the area. Here are the top five UK regions waiting the longest to pop the question:

Northern Ireland – 3 years and 4 months
North West – 3 years and 3 months
North East – 3 years and 2 months
East of England – 3 years and 1 month
Scotland – 3 years

It takes Brits 9 months to say 'I love you'
According to the findings, on average it takes Brits 9 months to say I love you. Men are found to take a bit longer to say, 'I love you', waiting a whole year compared to women who take 8 months to confess their feelings.

Commenting on the ideal time to propose, relationship and dating expert for The Stag Company, Clarissa Bloom says: "The perfect amount of time to wait until you propose will vary between partners, there is no magical, perfect time. You need to give long enough that you have learned everything necessary about your partner to know that the relationship has a long-term future and isn't just based on lust or passion.

"One way you can prompt your partner to know you are ready is to ask them questions about the future for when you do get married, such as what type of cake they'd like. Putting these thoughts in their heads will make them think more about getting married to you, it will let them know you're thinking about marriage, while seeing their reaction to these questions can help you to qualify what stage they're mentally at in the relationship.

"Communication is key, and it can be worth sitting down with your partner at a convenient time without other distractions and discussing the future, from holidays to weddings and everything in-between, to suss out where their mind is. You should try to ask open-ended questions, which will allow them to divulge more details."

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson at thortful also says, "Getting engaged is a massive decision, and whilst many dream of that big day since childhood years, it certainly isn't one to be taken lightly. It's great to hear that many Brits take time to get down on one knee (but obviously not too long). We don't want to hear of any breakups due to those waiting around!"

Further information about the study can be found here: https://www.thortful.com/blog/popping-the-question/