Long engagements give people the opportunity of finding out each other's character before marriage, which is never advisable.

Before you rush out and buy an engagement ring, consider this. Do you need help in deciding whether he is Mr Right, or if she is Miss Right? And will you both live happily ever after?

What is preventing lasting relationship success? With 77 million singles in the United States alone, many marriages are doomed from the start as couples avoid building a solid foundation for a lasting union.

"Starter" or "practice" marriages are an alarmingly growing phenomenon in our society, as singles give into pressure from friends, family and their own unrelenting standards to marry before they are truly ready.

Certainly not limited to 20-something singles, many first-time brides are focused on getting the proposal sealed with an important looking engagement ring, planning the perfect wedding and dazzling guests with a grandiose event.

Will they both live happily ever after?

As the pre-wedding frenzy takes on a life of its own, many couples lose sight of the "ever after" part. The bride has her day in the spotlight and the groom marries his visually ideal wife. Honeymoons are quickly over as power struggles with money, sex, interests, and when to start a family ensue.

So, before get that engagement ring and race to the altar, you might want to check with relationship expert, Nancy Pina, author of "The Right Relationship Can Happen -­ How To Create Relationship Success."

No newcomer to the pressures singles face, Ms Pina has more than 18 years experience in the dating service industry. With sound guidance, she uses her expertise to coach singles by tackling deeper issues such as the importance of shared morals, values, life goals and dreams in a relationship. Getting straight about who you are without any facade is vital before embarking on the search for the ideal mate.

According to Ms Pina, "An important step many singles overlook in their search for the right relationship is defining exactly what they are looking for in a life partner."

This sounds very basic but Ms Pina emphasizes that her experience has shown many singles believe they will somehow "know" who this person is. Not only are many expecting divine intervention, Ms Pina explains, "Countless singles sincerely expect this ideal person to fall into their lap without self-reflection."

She adds, "With the right tools and sincere willingness, everyone can attract the right relationship."

Ms Pina has written a step-by-step "how-to" guide, "The Right Relationship Can Happen - How To Create Relationship Succcess." In addition to her book, she coaches singles in their quest to manifest the ideal person into their lives.

Have a careful think before you buy that engagement ring. Will you both live happily ever after?