Marriage Prep

Before the meeting

Articles

(Read two or more)

Preparing for Marriage

An extensive list of important questions for couples to discuss while preparing for marriage. These are also great questions for married couples to talk about in order to deepen their understanding of one another.

Preparing for Marriage While Planning a Wedding

While you plan your wedding, make sure you are also preparing for a successful marriage. This article gives a glimpse and important topics to talk about with your fiancé 

Communication

Dr John Gottman, a world renowned therapist and researcher on marriage relationships, has identified the four leading causes of conflict in marriage. In this article learn about what they are and the antidotes for them.

Communicating love can be difficult if you and your spouse are speaking different languages. Dig deeper into what the five main love languages are, and how you can use them to improve your relationship.

 

Actively listening to and appreciating your spouse are just the beginning. Learn more about the eight traits of relationships that predict happy and healthy Marriages.

Finances

Communicating About Money

Finances are the leading cause of arguments for most couples. Ron Blue digs into the three main categories that lead to these arguments, and how best to communicate together about them.

7 Steps to Stop Fighting Over Money

 

Rachel Cruze, daughter of Dave Ramsey, digs into what steps couples can take to get on the same page with their finances.

 

Intimacy 

10 Ways to Rekindle the Passion in your Marriage

What do you do when the early excitement of falling in love and early marriage begins to fade?  Learn the steps to rekindle intimacy and sustain a healthy marriage.

Want to Improve your Relationship? Start Paying More Attention to Bids

Healthy couples constantly make and accept bids to connect.

 

Commitment

Pursue your Partner at Every Stage of Marriage

Marriage is not a destination; instead look at it as a journey. Keep your marriage alive by continuing to pursue one another and taking time to date.

Running Headlong into Heartbreak

 

An important article exploring: the paradox of trust, when our stories write us and embracing emotions – and how these concepts determine the survival of marriages.

 

Videos

(Watch one or more)

Bestie

8 Questions to Ask Your Partner Before Getting Married 

When you’re in love, you often are blind to many aspects of your potential lives together. Before getting married, discuss these questions and others in order to make sure you are prepared for what marriage will look like for you and your partner.

One Percent Better

The 7 Principles For Making Marriage Work: Relationship Advice by John Gottman

 

 

Want to make your marriage work?  Learn seven basic principles – and the “how to” – for healthy and successful marriages.

Anderson

Four Negative Patterns that Predict Divorce (Part 1)

Anderson Cooper and Dr John Gottman discuss and shows video examples of four destructive patterns in relationships: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling – the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. 

 

Anderson

Four Negative Patterns that Predict Divorce (Part 2)

Anderson Cooper and Dr John Gottman discuss and shows video examples of four destructive patterns in relationships: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling – the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. 

 

CBS Minnesota

Relationship Reboot: Tone of Voice 

Moderating the tone of your voice might be the best thing you can do for your relationship.  Learn why “tone” matters.

 

 

Supplemental Reading

5 Ways to Start your Marriage Financially Strong

Finances are a major cause for contention in marriage. Start your marriage off right financially with these tips from Dave Ramsey.

The Magic Relationship Ratio: According to Science

Happy and healthy couples engaged in more positive than negative interactions, at a ratio of 5:1 or better. What type of interactions can improve your relationship?

Redefining Expectation in your Marriage

It is nearly impossible to connect your life to another individual and not have significant disagreements.” Rather than expecting your spouse to naturally fulfill all of your needs as soon as you enter into marriage, go in with the expectation that, over time, you will become all you can be for each other.

Book: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A practical Guide From the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert

By Dr John Gottman

 

Book: How to Avoid Falling in Love with a Jerk: The Foolproof Way to Follow Your Heart Without Losing Your Mind

By John Van Epp

Talking Points

Resources to help you discuss with friends and family.

Social Media Resources

Share resources for families through social media.

Advocacy Tips

Get involved in your community and local governments to make a difference.

Next step: During the Meeting

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