Fitness & Wellness

Many couples choose to get officially married before the big day, and it's more common than ever in light of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world right now.

Even the strongest of marriages have their hiccups. Yet, the difference between a rock solid union and a fling lies in a few crucial relationship components. Here, Marni Feuerman, licensed marriage therapist in Boca Raton, Fla., and marriage expert for About.com, shares some of the most common marriage mistakes—and, how to avoid them.

The truth of the matter is that there is no right or wrong length of time to wait to get engaged. Some couples wait six years before making it official, while others date for just six months—it all depends on your unique circumstances. (Though, if you're one of those people who wants to put a number on it, one study showed that most couples decide to marry after about 2.8 years of being together.) Here, Amy Van Arsdale, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in Washington, D.C., gives her cheat sheet on when to move forward and when to take a moment to reevaluate your relationship.

Say "I do" on these star-crossed big-day dates.

Learn how to navigate these potentially touchy conversations.

Let friends and extended family members know you're having an intimate ceremony no one is offended.