“if the relationship doesn’t get to the point where each of them feels comfortable to talk freely with the other you never really get to know him/her.”
How well do you think people have to know each other before they get married? Besides the talking shouldn’t be too flowy when you’re dating.
Dating is for making sure your values are in sync with each other and that you have similar enough backgrounds that you will respect the other. Engagements are there for the exclusive purpose of having enough time to pull together a wedding. I don’t believe engagements nor dating are a time to build relationships. That should only be worked on once married.