AN ENGAGEMENT

 “Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

BRITAIN     

A proposal is made by men, but the 29th of February (in a leap year) is said to be the one day when a woman can propose to her partner.

It can last from one month to several years.

The tradition of the proposal and the engagement is called “Handfasting”. It derived its origin from the wedding custom of tying the bride’s and groom's hands together, as a symbol to their clan, tribe or village of their decision to be bound together in family living.    

BELARUS

A proposal is made only by men.

It can last from three to six months as it is one of the rules of registration.

There is the similar tradition of tying the bride’s and groom's hands with the help of the wedding towels during the wedding ceremony.