An engagement's a promise to marriage, and also the period of time between proposal and marriagewhich may be lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple's said to be affianced, betrothed, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Future brides and bridegrooms are often referred to as fiancées (brides) or fiancés (grooms). Long engagements were once common in formal arrangements of marriage and it wasn't uncommon for parents betrothing children to arrange such many years before t… (More on Engagement)