Wedding season is approaching, and many couples all over the world are getting ready for the big day. Are you and your fiance prepared–not just for the wedding, but for your married life, too?
Whether you’re newly engaged, planning your wedding, or walking down the aisle this year, there are some important things you need to know before you get married. In this post, we’ve pulled together some helpful resources for you, all in one place. We want to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed for years to come.
Ready to dive in? Let’s go.
1. 7 Secrets to a Peaceful, Fun Engagement
Engagement can be an exciting time in a couple’s life, but it can also be stressful. There are many plans to make and responsibilities to take care of before the wedding, and this season is often hectic. While wedding plans and dreams for the future are important, it’s crucial to make sure you’re enjoying a peaceful season in the process.
This blog post will walk you through seven ways to make your engagement more enjoyable and (hopefully) as drama-free as possible. Read More
2. One Thing You Can’t Afford to Skip When You’re Engaged
There are many details to cover when you’re engaged, but there’s one important thing you can’t afford to skip. Every engaged couple needs it, and it’s just as important as (if not more important than) choosing the perfect cake, dress, or reception meal. We’ve outlined it all for you in a post, including why it’s so important and how to get started. Read More
3. Help! Our Parents Don’t Approve of Our Engagement
No one wants to meet with their parents’ disapproval when they get engaged. But sometimes, couples meet with disapproval from one or both parents (or even one or both sets of parents). Does this sound familiar to you? If so, help is on the way.
This blog post is all about how to navigate those dreaded, tricky dynamics before your future in-laws become your in-laws. Read More
4. 4 Essential Tips You Need to Know About Marriage
Have you ever wondered what essential knowledge you absolutely must know before you embark on married life? While there’s no way to answer every question exhaustively, we’ve created a blog post that addresses a few simple, but important, things every couple needs to be aware of before the wedding. Read More
5. 3 Things You Need to Know About the First Year of Marriage
There are a lot of rumors about the first year of marriage, but what’s really true? We heard many different perspectives on marriage before we actually experienced it ourselves, and we’re sure you have, too. If you want some real insights into what the first year might look like for many couples, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’re helping you set realistic expectations for year one. Read More
6. Getting Ready for the Wedding
If you’re looking for a guide that dives deeper into preparing for your wedding, then our book, Getting Ready for the Wedding, might be right up your alley. It’s a collection of real-life stories from married couples who have plenty of life experience–plus experience helping couples along the way. You might just find stories that resonate with you. About the Book
7. Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) Book & Assessment
SYMBIS is the cornerstone of what we offer couples here: an in-depth book plus an interactive assessment to guide you in setting your marriage up for success. If you’re serious about building a strong foundation for your marriage before you say “I do,” then these resources are for you. About the Book| About the Assessment
Are you engaged and planning a wedding? What resources would you like to see and what questions would you like answered? Feel free to drop them in the comments section for us.
This book and the assessment was required reading-discussion for our premarital Christian-Pastoral counseling. It is really geared for healthy couples who are reasonably self aware, honest, open and transparent about their relational past and childhood. If one partner is not self aware and hides and or wears a mask most of the time and appears “sweet” they can even pull it off that they are ready to enter into Christian marriage. Sadly, this assessment/book does nothing to uncover past trauma that will torpedo an intimate relationship -even amongst Christians. We completed this assessment and id the exercises in the book. I was honest and open but partner was not fully honest nor really self aware about the devastating effects from her past. This is very shallow, and assumes a certin level of spiritual maturity and emotional health that just cannot be “assumed”. Partner refused therapy or any real third party help. We were divorced 18 months into the marriage. I do not recommend the approach advocated by this book. Pastors who are not trained-experienced couples therapists are not in any position to discern nuance and the emotional-spiritual complexities of pre-engaged or engaged couples. FULL STOP!
A more extended approach over at least 90 to 120 days is recommended with an experienced couples therapist. And it will take a lot more time and likely cost a lot more. You get what you pay for.