Things to Know Before Getting Married

Marriage is the toughest decision to take. Here are a few things to know before getting married, that can help you to decide your future better.As I write this, I can see a spate of both, men and women, whine about their marriage woes. Its funny, because all of them were in love (with their respective partners) at one point of time. So, what happened? Well, it was a lot like love probably. Matches may be made in heaven, but marriages are made here, by testing compatibility. In the beginning of every relationship, every moment of it seems hunky-dory. Precisely, in these rosy times a couples plunges into a wedlock making them lock their destinies forever and thus entering into a join venture for life. A marriage is a joint venture with added romance. If the articles of association and the memorandum of understanding aren't framed well before entering this venture, its a sure recipe for tumultuous ride till the end. So, here are a things to know before getting married.

What You Should Know Before Marriage

Ability to Adjust
As mentioned earlier, each partner in the early phase of the relationship, is willing to make the adjustments. However, if its always one person, who cuts the slack, the other person begins to take this gesture for granted. Gradually, these adjustments become compromises and sacrifices as opposed to informed decisions (adjustments). For instance, the man in the relationship may like to watch football over the weekends and the woman may want to stick to her regular opera shows. Fight over the remote control and TV hours are quite common in every household. Each partner must tone down habits willingly, in order to make things workout. Why do people get married, if they do not want to make adjustments for each other? Thus, if you are willing to take a plunge to be wedded, you need to know the other person's willingness too.

Money, Honey!
A marriage definitely does not work on the lines of 'my money is my money and your money is also my money'. Amongst all the things to consider before getting married, money is a sensitive aspect. Your partner may be materialistic, stingy, spendthrift or conservative about money matters. These behavioral characteristics do not show up at an early stage, but begin to creep in by the end of six to seven months of a relationship. It important that you clarify your views about money to your partner, before tying a knot. A marriage brings added responsibilities of children, in-laws, homemaking and other expenses. Meeting all these requirements with a non-cooperative partner can be an uphill climb. Hence, establish the inclination of financial management before you take a step ahead in the relationship.

Cleaning Rules
Men can be very messy partners to live with. Men are inherently disorganized, right from stocks to socks. With a few questions to ask before you get married, you can make your points and understand your partner's view point too. If cleanliness is your thing, then figure out 'who cleans what' rules and experiment with them well in time. The best way to share cleaning schedules is to take weekly rotations. Since cleaning is your thing, does not mean that's the only thing that you'd do. Thus, amongst the things to know before getting married address the importance of cleaning, before the state becomes deplorable.

Permanent Battles
In-laws are forlorn battles in every household and especially during the holiday season. Questions of where are the holidays supposed to be spent and how long are in-laws supposed to be staying over, can become long drawn arguments with your husband, after getting married. If you are not the 'family loving type', strike a clear understanding with your husband to maintain healthy family ties in the long run.

These were some of the rudimentary things to know before getting married. Though they come across as common sense, they get subdued with 'love for each other'. You can take some help from relationship questions to ask before marriage to know your partner better. Its imperative that communication is well maintained in a relationship to make it last forever.
By Mukta Gaikwad
Published: 1/29/2010