Marriage involves many decisions – from finances to family planning – that you and your partner need to discuss and agree upon together.
Table of Contents
1. What Are Your Expectations on Sex?
Approaching sexual activity as a couple is of great significance, so it’s vitally important to discuss openly your wants, needs, and expectations when discussing sexual intimacy.
Assuming you prefer more romance with your partner while they prefer keeping things more subdued, this discrepancy could prove difficult to resolve once marriage comes into the picture. Communicating openly about this matter may help avoid future disappointments as well as build trust and intimacy within your relationship. Ultimately it all boils down to compromise!
2. What Are Your Dreams/Plans for Your Wedding?
As a couple, it’s essential that you and your partner understand what’s most important in the wedding to them both – this will enable you to prioritize key bookings and decisions during the planning process.
Make a note of potential venues or vendors which might dictate a wedding date, as well as any extra luxuries that could make the big day extra-special.
Create and share a timeline with all necessary vendors, this will ensure everyone is on the same page.
3. Are You Influenced by Your Parents’ Marriage?
How your parents influenced you as an adult can have a significant effect on the success of your marriage. Whether they remained married or ended their union, their style of resolving conflict and how they interacted can have lasting ramifications that have an effectful legacy.
If you were raised in an environment in which emotions were often denied or disregarded, communicating your needs respectfully may become challenging or even understanding what they are altogether – which could present serious complications later.
4. What Are Your Non-Negotiables?
Everyone in any relationship has certain non-negotiables that serve as deal breakers. While traditional issues, like having children, can be onerous obstacles to forming the perfect partnership, others could include daily rituals or rituals related to daily routines as well as passion projects or career ambitions.
Example: Maybe honesty is one of your non-negotiables in relationships. Making this clear in your expectations can help reduce conflict later. And keep in mind it applies not just romantic partners–these non-negotiables could include friendships and coworkers too. Your non-negotiables may change over time so be sure to revisit your list frequently in order to easily spot red flags as they arise.
5. What Are Your Personal Needs?
Clarifying each partner’s individual needs is of the utmost importance in any relationship, for instance if one partner doesn’t want children and the other does, this should be discussed and resolved prior to entering into an engagement or marriage agreement.
Learn to speak each other’s “love language”, the way each of you express and receive love.
Discuss how much individual time each of you needs alone without electronics (like phones, tablets and video games ). This could pose an obstacle for some couples.
6. How Do You Feel About Pets?
Pets offer incredible joy, companionship and emotional support – as well as encouraging physical activity that boosts mood and can reduce anxiety or depression.
Asking the following questions of your future spouse can help you better understand their preferences and expectations for married life, which could prevent surprises or disappointments down the road. Doing this together could also result in creating a healthier and happier union together.
7. What Are Your Political Beliefs?
Political positions may seem off-putting at first glance, but they can be an essential topic of conversation in any serious relationship. Lee advises couples against making assumptions about each other’s stance on certain issues and to refrain from making assumptions that could compromise trust between partners.
No matter your opinions differ on certain matters, it’s essential that both of you find ways to compromise for the sake of your marriage. Spirituality, religion and money may all present unique obstacles – having this conversation early can avoid disappointment later.
8. What Are Your Dreams/Plans for Your Future?
Many couples fail to communicate freely about their expectations before marriage, according to experts in relationship development. According to these professionals, this can lead to serious disappointment down the road.
As part of premarital counseling, it’s crucial that couples discuss their future plans together – such as whether or not they plan on having children, career goals and how much retirement savings they plan to accumulate. If this proves too difficult, premarital counseling may provide valuable help; setting clear boundaries will benefit any marriage.
9. How Do You Feel About Your Job?
Your work time can be time consuming, so it is crucial that you enjoy what you are doing. Answering this question may reveal whether it is time for a major career switch or simply time to explore different roles within the same company.
It can also provide insight into how you handle workplace conflicts; are you more inclined to get angry, or would prefer a calm dialogue? Answering honestly will save time and headache later on! Just be prepared to answer honestly!
10. What Are Your Dreams/Plans for Your Family?
Many couples fail to discuss their family goals prior to marriage. Whether this means carrying children themselves or adopting, this decision should remain firm once entering into marriage.
These questions may seem uncomfortable to discuss, but starting your marriage off on an honest and trustworthy footing is so essential. Spend the time needed now and work through them together; you won’t regret it later on! Happy planning!
