The road to your marriage will be filled with unexpected bumps and interesting turns. While planning a wedding is fun and exciting, it can be easy to forget how different how both of your lives are about to become. After all, you will be with your new husband or wife so you need to prepare!
As absolutely wonderful as that may sound, it’s not that bad! By now, you’ve more than likely come to realize that this is just one aspect of being married. Decisions around dealing with in-laws, bills, where you’re going to spend Christmas, how many kids you’re going to have (if you decide kids are an option) are just the beginning.
Before you decide to call off the day entirely, there are a few options to guide you through the unexpected bumps you will face in your marriage. A ‘Marriage Preparation Course’ is available to give you time to focus on your relationship. Marriage courses usually explore areas such as self-awareness, commitment, conflict resolution and communication skills to name a few. If you’re planning to marry in a church, they can often be suggested or required as part of the preparation process.
Although it may sound daunting, a Marriage Preparation Course can actually be a helpful way to find out what to expect in your marriage. One lady (Karen!) in our office admitted that she was terrified on the drive up to hers, frantically asking future husband what his favourite colour was, what would his last meal be, his favourite cereal etc. Fortunately, the marriage course was more of an opportunity and learning experience rather than game show style event with a rapid fire buzzer round!
The day was not one bit like she expected and Karen openly admitted that they both got a lot out of it. The day usually goes through the unexpected difficulties that can crop up in a marriage such as financial disagreements, difficult moral questions and how to solve conflicts. Most people find it a beneficial way to discover where you both may feel about important decisions or concerns you may have as well as getting you thinking about things you may not have already considered.
Marriage courses tend to fill up quickly in Ireland, so if it’s a requirement from your church, be sure to book one up fast! Getting Married offers some great advice on the different aspects and stages of getting married in Ireland.
Have you gone to a Marriage Preparation Course? If so, would you recommend the day to other couples?
Image from: Prabhu Ram via Flickr
