Before you even think about walking down the aisle, there are some vital questions you are going to want to ask your partner. Some topics like finances and family planning may seem a bit awkward to talk about but they are extremely important. Knowing where your prospective partner stands on these subjects will help clarify expectations and help prepare you for your future together. It isn’t always a good idea to bring up the past; however, it is beneficial for your health to know if your partner has ever been tested for a sexually transmitted disease. It’s good to talk about how each one of you will handle things when things get difficult. Will both of you try to put everything you have into fixing the relationship or will one of you simply walk away? However, there are some instances where you might be asked to travel for work … or maybe your partner isn’t as adventurous as you are in the area of traveling. If traveling is one of your top priorities, it is definitely a topic to discuss with your future spouse. Different spending habits in marriage could lead to conflict. Discuss how you will handle your finances together before you get married. This will hopefully minimize future arguments on the topic. It is also important to discuss any diseases that run in the family. Health conditions are a serious part of life. Talking about what kind of disorders run in the family can help you be more prepared for the future. For example, if you aren’t a fan of your partner’s smoking, diet, or lack of exercise, make your feelings known before you decide to tie the knot. Asking how your partner would like to be honored after death can help make difficult funeral choices much easier. Also, choosing the right life insurance could have a dramatic impact on your family’s future. If you decide to set boundaries in certain areas, try to explain to your partner why it is important to you and how to implement it in your everyday lives. The perfect location should be fit seamlessly into both of your lives. Where each one of you works, how far you want to travel, and what your housing budget is, are all things to discuss before making the move. Older wedding traditions say that the father of the bride should be the one to pick up the bill. However, nowadays the cost of the wedding is normally split between both families. Establishing a wedding budget before you get married can ensure that your big day won’t cause any financial stress. If you are hesitant to get married for a particular reason, try talking to them about it. Every relationship has certain flaws, but if it’s causing you to have second thoughts about the marriage, it is definitely worth discussing. It’s also a good idea to talk boundaries especially with friendships of the opposite sex. You always want to make sure your partner feels comfortable with the people you decide to hang out with. Explain to your partner how you prefer to receive love and how you express your love. This can help you better connect with them. People are also more inclined to show more affection when they know their partner likes it. If you don’t have the opportunity to live with your spouse before you get married, then it’s a good idea to discuss chores. Figuring out how to divide up the house chores will help eliminate confusion and potential arguments. Ideally, conflicts won’t be a big part of your relationship. However, discussing how each one of you handles difficult situations can save you heartache in the long run. For example, if you are the kind of person who needs space after an argument, it’s important to be open and honest about that. Having a discussion with your partner about your respective long-term goals can help you look at things from a different point of view. Together, you can determine what you want the future to look like for both of you. Marriage is a life commitment. If your partner regularly does something that irks you, they should know about it sooner rather than later. Being open about each other’s pet peeves will save the relationship a lot of unwanted annoyances. Try to resolve any differences with your soon-to-be mom and dad before you get married to their son/daughter. You don’t want to enter a new chapter of your life on sensitive terms with your new family. It’s also important to see where your partner stands on having a pet because adding another element to the relationship can be tricky. If you’re not exactly sure how you feel about pets, you could try volunteering at a local animal shelter to see if having a pet is the right choice for you. Try to be as open and honest about any previous debts as possible. It’s only fair that your partner knows about your financial situation because it could get in the way of buying a house or leasing a car. It’s also a good idea to determine a new budget based on your joint income. As your relationship becomes stronger, sometimes communication weakens. Being open and honest about your feelings and communication style ahead of time can help reduce future misunderstandings. When starting the conversation about religion with your partner, first try to figure out where you stand with your own religion. Then ask about their faith and beliefs. Being spiritually compatible is just as important as being physically and emotionally compatible. Talking to your partner about their fears, hopes, regrets, and struggles provides you with a better understanding of them. Ultimately, discussing those tough questions will give you a much deeper level of connection with the person you love. You don’t want to find out that your partner doesn’t want children a few years into the marriage, especially if you do. Even if your opinions change over time, having open conversations on the subject helps to make sure you are both on the same page. Being open about past mistakes is equally as important. It gives both parties a chance to learn from each other’s faults and grow from the experience.
