Originally posted by: alkemyst
I have known more failures with long term dating and extended engagements than short whirlwinds to marriage.  To me it seems like time is used for hopeful changes.   I can't say I know of anyone with a longer than 1 year engagement actually getting to the altar....most find new mates during extended engagements...those that got engaged then went to different states for college had the worst luck, usually ending in one of the people trying to surprise their finance(e) and in return getting surprised themselves.
Longest engagement (and still are) has been around 10 years.  They live together, but nothing has changed.  First it was the degree, then the job, then the cars, then the house, etc.....I don't know if they are still together or not.
My first wife and I were 1.5 years from  first date to marriage.  Would have been only a year, but she wasn't 18 (I wasn't much older myself).   We were happy for about 5 years until she broke her neck.  Long story, but everyone except her own family thought she was ok mentally.  She ended up getting fired, losing all her friends (not shared friends, her own personal friends)....everyone told me 'I need to do something about her', but realistically there is nothing I could have done.  The popular 'beat her into submission' was a good one I got from single people.
Interestingly enough though, her 'dear sweet cousin' who bought our house during the divorce seems to have a rap sheet of drug deals (appearing to be funded with remortgages of that property) ending 2 years ago with a resisting arrest with battery + cocaine trafficking of 28-200 grams and some marijuana possession listed which was crossed off the report in court.  

....seems like a great guy.
The big thing I'd say is if you are going to have to deal with the families in any capacity make sure you all get along.  No matter what the other person says about "My family's opinion of us, doesn't matter" is usually under the assumption they will eventually change their minds.    Any arguments had are usually going to involve phone calls to family members...if they are already against you, you are doomed...if they only see relatives = always right, you are probably doomed as well.
Other than that if two people truly get along and have a 'real' relationship as opposed to being just happy to be in one....odds are it will work out long term regardless of dating, marriage timelines (which if you think about it makes sense).
Too many people just want to be in a 'happy relationship' so they pretend they are in one....pretending can only go on so long though 
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