Getting Ready for Marriage

Marriage is a huge lifetime event. It may be the greatest lifetime event you will ever prepare for. You must prepare for it, just like you prepare for college, for a new career, for any major event. Too many people are not prepared to walk down the aisle. Yes, they plan for the flowers, the cake, the rings, the minister, the ceremony, but they fail to plan for what it takes to spend the rest of their lives with the one person they vow to, until death do them part.

I would recommend to you as a couple that you sit down and think about your future together. Many may go to pre-marital counseling, or many may choose to sit down together to review your plans. I ran across a workbook that I would highly recommend to those who are about to tie the knot.
Getting Ready for Marriage Workbook : How to Really Get to Know the Person You're Going to Marry

This is a simplified workbook that provokes you to think about what you want for your future and what you are prepared to give in your soon to-be union. Some of the topics in the book are:

• Love: The Three Types- An explanation of emotional, friendship and commitment love
• Knowing You- What are your expectations, priorities and behavioral patterns
• Knowing Your Families- In this section, you will be exploring your families together. Remember, when you get married, you are married into another family. You need to know your in-laws, and what they are like, too
• Communication-Taking the Time for One Another, Speak for Yourself, Understand that your spouses perceptions are different from yours, How to really listen, and Identify any problem areas, (very important thing to check, before you say, I do)
• Attitudes
• Resolving Conflicts
• Religious Orientations, (What are you and your spouse's beliefs?)
• Money Matters: Setting Financial Goals and how you and your spouse perceive money
• Sexual Relationship: What are your beliefs about it?
• Family Planning and Children

Once you complete this workbook, this won't be end-all to your preparation. Use your answers to make decisions, such as, and most importantly, are we ready to get married? Next, when you are, use the answers to set concrete goals and create concrete tasks to achieve those goals.

For all you married couples to be, I wish you all the best, now and in the future. Thanks for blogging with me, and please feel free to leave your comments or questions.