Getting married is often seen as the pinnacle of any relationship, giving you the chance to cement what you have together, tie yourself together legally and financially, and allow you look to the future. However, getting married is not always so simple, and so here are some of the top steps that you should take before tying the knot in 2024 and beyond.
1. Propose to Your Spouse
Just because you are ready to get married, this does not mean that your partner is, even if you have been together for a long time, and are on the same page when it comes to your goals and values. To make sure that you both agree to the concept of marriage, you need to plan a proposal. What’s more, this proposal can be an outstandingly romantic occasion that you will remember for the rest of your lives and can pass down to others as an anecdote. You do not have to create a flashy proposal, though, and you should instead think about the type of proposal that your partner would want. You should also think about getting someone to hide and take photos of the event so that you have a photographic record of it to look back on and see your reactions. You might want a romantic proposal; this does not mean that you have to sacrifice a discussion about marriage beforehand, and this can save embarrassment on the day.
2. Get a Ring
Next on your to-do list should be to search for the perfect ring. Although you might want to surprise your partner with a ring that you have picked out yourself, if you are unsure of what they might want, you should consider going to a jewelers together, unless you are desperate for your loved one to have a ring immediately. This is important since it is your partner that will have to wear the ring for, potentially, the rest of their lives. If they do not like the ring that you have chosen, this might make them uncomfortable. Not only this, but browsing for the ring together can be a positive bonding experience and will ensure that you are able to get the right size.
3. Look for a Venue
Wedding venues get snapped up quickly, particularly if you want to get married in a desirable location or one that only opens for special occasions on certain dates. By looking for a venue long in advance of your big day, you will be able to enjoy a wide range of potential properties. You may also be able to get the best value for your money. When you are looking for a venue, you should consider the theme of your wedding, how many people you are inviting, and the facilities that you need, such as catering. This means that you should take your time to look at a few different reception halls that might be able to accommodate you.
4. Spend Quality Time Together
Between your proposal and the big day, it can be nice to spend some extra time together before everything changes. This can allow you to make delightful memories and achieve an improved work/life balance. Couples often do not spend as much time together as they would like because of other commitments or hobbies. By doing this, you might also be able to get to know each other’s flaws and fall into a better routine together. You might also decide to live together before you marry so that you can recognize what this might be like.
5. Discuss Your Goals
Getting married might seem like the natural next step in your relationship. However, it is a huge commitment to make- and a financially and emotionally expensive one to break. Instead of waiting until after marriage to find out what each other want outside of the wedding itself, you should take a moment to sit down together before the big day and discuss your opinions on big life milestones such as children. It is also vital that you know each other’s financial and career goals, as well as any other aspirations that they have. This will mean that you are working together toward the same aims and that nothing will seem to come out of the blue for you both.
6. Get to Know Each Other’s Relatives
If you have a good relationship with your family, you must try and introduce your partner to them before your wedding day, especially if they have not met before and if they are being invited to the wedding. This will take some of the pressure off the day, establish their inevitable relationship in the future, and let your family into your new life. You may even find that your family are able to help you with some of your wedding planning- and they might even donate funds to help you with the costs. By getting to know each other’s relatives, you might be more comfortable sharing a name as you will now both know who you are related to by marriage.
7. Share Any Secrets
Sometimes, you might have been unintentionally evasive about a fact of your life that did not seem important at the time, but may now create a barrier if it remained unknown throughout your marriage. Then, this is the time to share every element of your life with your partner, especially as they are now binding themselves to you in the eyes of the world and the law. This could include information about your finances and assets, your past relationships, your childhood and relationship with your family, and even any criminal convictions that have happened in the past. You should only share this information when you are ready to, though, and when the time is right for you both.
Getting married should not be rushed into, and there are many steps that you need to take to make your wedding day- and all the days afterward- the best ever. This list of practicalities will help you to set up married life and enjoy every moment between now and the proposal, from spending time with your soon-to-be spouse and your family to buying a ring.
