Olga Shishuk, Sophie Van Slyke
Marriage is a journey of sharing every moment together — the joyful and the challenging alike. It’s a partnership where two souls come together to pursue shared dreams, support one another, and navigate life as a team. To build a strong foundation, it's important to understand how you and your partner envision your future together. What values do you share when it comes to family life? Where might you see these things differently? And most importantly, how can you find common ground while still respecting each other's choices? Consider these eight important conversations to have, to strengthen your bond before the big day.
Anastasia Maximova, Christian Soria
Financial Goals & Habits
Many couples agree that money is often one of the biggest stress points in marriage, so it’s important to be open with your partner from the start. Take some time together to discuss your views on money, your financial goals, and habits. Are you savers or spenders? How would you like to approach joint and or individual accounts? Who will take on managing finances, keeping track of bills and planning the day-to-day budget? Asking these types of questions can help make sure you're on the same page about your future together.
Career Plans
Another important topic to discuss is your career dreams and goals. How do you each envision this part of your life? Maybe you’re both career-focused, or perhaps, one of you plans to take a step back at some point. Be sure to consider the long-term: Would you be open to relocating if a big job opportunity comes along? What does a healthy work-life balance look like to each of you? Marriage is about unity, so try to think of the best ways to support each other’s careers while maintaining a happy home life.
Aidyn Ruiz, Sasha Dove
Kids & Parenting
This is one of the biggest and most delicate topics to discuss. Have an open heart-to-heart about how each of you feel regarding having children. Are you both ready? Do you want to spend more time settling into married life first? Or perhaps having kids isn’t part of your plan at all? If you do want little ones, consider what values matter most to you in raising children and what kind of parenting feels right to you. If one of you, however, is unsure about kids or doesn’t want them, be open, and honest to avoid heartaches later.
Household Roles
Managing a home takes teamwork—how do you both envision sharing day-to-day tasks? Who will handle household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and errands? To keep things balanced, consider dividing responsibilities in a way that plays to each of your strengths (and maybe even what you enjoy!). Perhaps your partner is a fantastic cook, while you’ve mastered the art of cleaning. You can even make chores more enjoyable by turning them into couple’s activities. It’s a fun way to tackle your to-do list while spending some quality time together!
Vereschagin Wedding, Dos Más En La Mesa
Handling Conflicts
Quarrels and moments of disagreements are a natural part of family life — every couple experiences them, even the happiest ones. So it's important to ensure you know how to communicate with one another during those tough times. Maybe you both need some space when you’re upset, or perhaps you prefer to talk things out right away. Whatever your styles, try to understand each other's emotional needs and boundaries to handle conflicts with love and respect.
Intimacy & Physical Affection
Physical intimacy is a key pillar in building a happy, healthy marriage, so don’t be shy about bringing up the topic. Be honest and transparent about your likes and dislikes, and share your needs and expectations around physical affection—whether that’s regular hugs, kisses, holding hands, or more intimate moments. To keep the romance alive long after the honeymoon phase, plan special outings and date nights just for the two of you.
Social Life & Personal Space
Some couples love to be social butterflies, while others prefer quiet time alone. Take a moment to consider how often you both enjoy going out, spending time with friends, or hosting cozy family gatherings. While marriage is certainly a partnership, having personal space is just as important. It’s perfectly fine to take time for yourself to recharge, whether that’s through a hobby or some quiet meditation. Create a healthy balance by scheduling “me time” and “together time” that works for you and your partner.
Long-Term Dreams
Ask each other: What does your dream future look like? Talk about where you see yourselves in five, ten, or twenty years. Do you both want to settle in the same city long-term, or do you dream of traveling the world together? Be sure to discuss your personal dreams and aspirations, too. Get a little creative and consider compiling a shared vision board of your goals to look at regularly, keeping you connected and motivated on your life journey.
