Engaged Couples: 5 Things You Should Do Before You Say ‘I Do’

For engaged couples, it can be quite exciting that the wait is over and they can finally have a family of their own with that special one of their dreams. In between all that endless euphoria, find 5 absolutely key things you need to do before walking down the aisle…

1. Medical tests. Don’t make assumptions everything’s perfect because you both look healthy and are so much in love. From blood tests to prevent the risk of having babies with sickle cell anaemia, HIV test and STD screenings, to other medical tests, leave no stone unturned to ensure there are no conditions that may jeopardize your happiness, health and finances in the near or distant future.

You have the right to know if your prospective spouse has any medical condition, whether life threatening or not. Do not evade getting comprehensive medical evaluation either out of fear as whatever fear you have is better faced and sorted out now to prevent any future regrets.

2. Discuss finance. As stated earlier, make no assumptions. What are your sources of income? How much do you both earn monthly? What are the bills in view once you get married? Are you buoyant enough to sort them out? Where do you need to cut back? Are there ways you can earn more? Are there financial obligations to certain relatives? Is your spouse owing anyone? If you’ll be supporting each other, at what ratio? How about savings and plans for the family’s future? All these and so much more need to be thoroughly discussed and you must both reach decisive conclusions.

Don’t get too busy planning for the wedding, spending all you have and incurring a lorry load of debts, forgetting there’s a future ahead as nothing kills romance faster than a lack of funds.

READ ALSO: 5 Cool Things You Should Do While Waiting for the Right Man

3. Decide how many kids you want. Some couples delay starting a family for a year or two to gain some financial stability to foot the extra bills having a baby will bring. So, depending on your finance, career goals, support system and other factors, decide if you want to start having babies immediately or not, and reach a compromise on how many kids you’ll have. Remember, planning is everything.

4. Your career goals. You don’t want to be accused of being over-ambitious and selfish down the line, so, make sure you are both clear about your personal dreams. Discuss plans you have to actualize them comprehensively, reach compromises where necessary and promise to support each other.

5. Discuss individual expectations. It’s also a good idea to discuss potential deal breakers; infidelity, financial recklessness, and so on to ensure you’re both clear about expected behaviour. Discuss hopes about different aspects of your relationship as a married couple as well, including intimacy, vacations, and so on.

In addition, get to know each others’ family and set clear rules to guide future interaction with in-laws.

So, married folks, what would you add to this list?

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