![\"Marriage](\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Marriage-Preparation.jpg\" "\\"Marriage")
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You wouldn’t take an exam without studying beforehand. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training prior to the race. It is the same with marriage: marriage preparation is key in smoothing the way for a happy, satisfying and successful wedded life. Here is a list of things you should work on in preparation for your life as a married couple.<\/span><\/p>\n Physical exams and bloodwork, to make sure both of you are healthy and fit. Wedding licenses and other event-specific paperwork. Reserve the venue<\/a>, officiant, reception site, issue invitations, etc. <\/span><\/p>\n Discuss what you imagine marriage to be. You each may have a different vision of married life<\/a>, so take time to talk about how you think your combined life should be structured.<\/span><\/p>\n Do you have a preference, say, dishwashing vs. dish drying? Vacuuming vs. ironing? What should be the place for traditional gender roles in how household tasks are shared? <\/span><\/p>\n Are you both sure that you want to have children, and if so, how many is the “ideal number”?<\/span> Could you envision one day allowing your wife to stay at home and take care of the children? Does that make sense financially? Does your wife want to be that type of mother? <\/span><\/p>\n As uncomfortable as some of us are with discussing finances, you need to be clear on how you view money with each other. Will you open shared bank accounts? <\/span>What are your financial goals:<\/b> save for a house<\/a>, spend it on fancy electronics, take luxury vacations each year, start putting away now for future children’s education, your retirement? Are you a saver or a spender? What are your individual debts at this time, and what are your plans to get out of debt? <\/span><\/p>\n Do you consider yourselves good communicators? Can you talk reasonably about everything, even the points of conflict that you may have? Or do you need to work with a counselor<\/a> to enhance your communication skills? Are both of you open to that? Talk about how you would handle large-scale disagreements. It’s good to know how your spouse-to-be would confront sensitive issues in the marriage because these will occur. Come up with different scenarios, such as “What would you do if I became depressed and unable to work?” or “If you suspected me of having an affair, how would we talk about that?” Talking about these issues does not mean they will happen; it just gives you an idea of your partner’s approach to navigating potential important life passages.<\/span><\/p>\n Recommended<\/strong> – Online Pre Marriage Course<\/a><\/p>\n If you are both practicing, what will be the role of religion in your shared lives? If you are church-going, do you expect to go every day, every Sunday, or just during the major holidays? Will you be active in your religious community, taking on roles of leadership or teaching? What if you follow two different religions? How do you blend them? How do you pass this on to your children? <\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Tangible items<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>I<\/span>ntangible items<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Talk about chores<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Talk about children<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Have the money talk<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Examine your communication styles<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The role of religion in your marriage<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The role of sex in your marriage<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n