Practical Steps To Take Before You Tie The Knot
Getting married should be one of the most joyous and memorable experiences in your life. If you are preparing to propose, or you’ve recently started planning a wedding, it’s important to cross off practical tasks and engage in frank conversation before you tie the knot. Here are some steps to take before you walk down the aisle.
Understand the legalities involved
Getting married is a legal process, and it’s important to understand what it means to put pen and paper and say I do. Before you agree to marry somebody, seek legal advice and make sure you are aware of what happens when you sign marriage papers. You may need to go through processes to enable you to get married in a certain place, such as applying for a K1 visa for your fiance, or you might want to talk to your partner about signing a prenuptial agreement. This is a personal choice and not all couples have an agreement in place. Research suggests that between 5% and 10% of couples have a prenup, but figures are increasing among millennials.
Discuss your finances
Money can often be the elephant in the room, and many couples actively avoid talking about their finances. If you want to marry your partner, it’s wise to have open conversations about your respective financial situations so that everything is on the table and you have clear ideas about what the future holds. You don’t want to get married and then find out that your new spouse has debt problems or be worrying about how you’re going to pay off the mortgage if they have plans to quit their job or go traveling for a long period, for example. It might not be top of the list of subjects you want to talk about, but it’s crucial to raise concerns, ask questions and discuss plans before you get married.
Decide where to live
Many couples get engaged while living together, but sometimes, people relocate to a different city, state or country to get married or they agree to tie the knot while living apart. If you have a long-distance relationship or you live in separate houses, it’s wise to talk about where you are going to live once you get married. Living with another person can alter the relationship and it can also cause issues if one person feels that they had no choice but to move. Make sure you are on the same page, try to compromise and listen to each other if the decision is not straightforward. If your partner is moving to be with you, make a concerted effort to make your house, apartment or neighborhood feel like home.
Tying the knot is a big decision. While it can be incredibly exciting to plan a wedding, it can also be stressful and a little daunting. Try to ensure you talk openly and honestly about important subjects before you decide to get married and cross the practical boxes to ensure that you are ready for the big day.
