Are you thinking about getting married? Congratulations! Getting married is a huge step in your life, and it’s one that deserves to be celebrated. But before you walk down the aisle, there are a few things you should do first to make sure your marriage is off to a great start.
Some of these things may seem like no-brainers, but they’re all important to consider before taking the plunge. Trust us, your future spouse will thank you for being prepared!
1. Discuss finances
This is probably one of the most important conversations you can have before getting married. You need to be on the same page financially with your future spouse, otherwise, things could get very stressful down the road. Talk about your debts, your savings, and your financial goals for the future. It’s also a good idea to start thinking about how you’ll combine your finances after you’re married.
2. Get a prenup
A prenuptial agreement may not be the most romantic thing in the world, but it’s definitely worth considering if you or your future spouse have any significant assets. A prenup can protect your individual finances in the event of a divorce, and it can also help to avoid any messy arguments down the road.
3. Set some ground rules
Before you get married, it’s a good idea to set some ground rules about how you’ll handle certain situations. For example, will you both continue to work full-time after you have children? What are your views on spending and saving? How will you deal with disagreements? Having these discussions now can save a lot of arguments later on.
4. Attend premarital counseling
Premarital counseling is a great way to help you and your future spouse prepare for marriage. A counselor can help you to discuss any potential problems in your relationship and give you tools to deal with them. If you’re not sure where to find a counselor, your church or synagogue may be able to recommend someone.
5. Work out your wedding budget
Before you start planning your dream wedding, you need to have a serious talk with your future spouse and figure out how much you’re perfectly comfortable spending. Once you have fixed a budget, you can start planning your big day without worrying about going over budget.
6. Choose your wedding date carefully
When you’re planning your wedding, it’s important to choose a date that will work for both you and your future spouse. If one of you is in the middle of a busy work project, or if you have family coming in from out of town, you might want to wait until things calm down before setting a date.
7. Plan where you’ll live
Before you get married, you need to decide where you’re going to live. If you’re both working full-time, will one of you move closer to the other person’s job? Or, if you have children from a previous relationship, will they come and live with you? Should you get a mortgage together? Or, rent an apartment? There are a lot of things to consider, so it’s important to have this discussion before you get married.
8. Decide how many children you want (if any)
This is another important conversation to have before you get married. You need to be on the same page about whether or not you want children, and how many you’d like to have. If you’re not sure yet, that’s OK! But it’s still a good idea to talk about it so you can make sure you’re both on the same page.
9. Make time for each other
Once you’re married, it’s important to make time for each other. Even if you have kids, or busy careers, you need to find ways to connect with your spouse. Whether it’s going on regular date nights or taking a weekend trip together, make sure you’re carving out time to nurture your relationship.
10. Enjoy the process!
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but it’s also a lot of fun! Try to enjoy the process, and don’t worry about the small stuff. At the end of the day, the thing is that you’re marrying the person you love, and that’s all matters.
These are just a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for marriage. By taking the time to discuss these issues with your future spouse, you can make sure you’re both on the same page – and that your big day is everything you’ve dreamed of!
