Preparing for marriage isn’t all about knowing your theme and seating arrangements. A lot of the preparation happens ways before the big day.
Life is a series of milestones: your first step onto the career ladder, leaving home, tying the knot. We’re all in such a rush to make the next step, but it’s often only when you make it that you realize the importance of the buildup.
The journey to the next milestone is the valuable time where you learn and prepare for the challenges to come. Even the negative experiences are beneficial.
Marriage is one of the biggest milestones in anyone’s life. It is a huge commitment, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Whether your big day is just around the corner or a long way in the distance, here 7 crucial things you need to do before you get married:
1. Take a long, hard look at your bank balance
You probably won’t be surprised to learn that money is the number one cause for divorce. Give your marriage the best chance of survival by getting your finances into order before you tie the knot. Start tackling your debt, and get into the habit of saving 10% of your paycheck each month. If you start early enough, you might even have some extra cash to spend on your big day.
2. Make your health a top priority
How better to start your married life than with a clean bill of health? Get fit, and shed any extra pounds, as well as getting tested for any nasties like STIs. Not only will you look your best in your wedding ensemble, but you can have confidence that ill health won’t plague the joy of married life.
3. Do a background check on your partner
If you are putting the effort into sorting your life out before your big day, make sure your future spouse is, too! Get to know the facts, especially when it comes to their finances and health, and identify any issues that need rectifying. After all, their problems are your problems when your signatures are on the marriage certificate!
4. Get to know the in-laws
Make sure your first meeting with your partner’s family isn’t on the wedding day. They are becoming part of your family, after all! What’s more, even if your soon-to-be in-laws aren’t your favorite people in the world, you need to make sure you can be civil at the very least – no one likes family drama!
5. Have a procreation plan
Find out whether you and your future spouse are on the same page when it comes to having children. It’s no good discovering that you’re dying to have babies whilst your partner is repulsed at the very thought, or vice versa, a year or so into your marriage. If you’re not sure, spend some time with the children of friends or relatives. You could even try getting a pet – can you take the responsibility of caring for it and keeping it alive?
6. Reconnect with your parents
Make sure you’re on good terms with your folks. Having a decent adult relationship with your parents might come in handy, and they could turn out to be your strongest allies. They have multiple years of life experience and may be a great source for marriage advice.
7. Make time to educate yourself
One important way to make the most of what is left of your free and single life is to focus on your learning and education, before too much responsibility takes hold. Enroll and finish any courses or post-graduate degrees that you’ve always dreamed of doing. You might not have the time, money or freedom to do so when you give up your single status.
