Evidence suggests that the UK wedding industry is worth £10 billion. Wedding experts have said that, on the average, a couple will devote up to 300 hours to planning their wedding day. A lot of meticulous planning goes into the modern-day wedding – making sure the wedding gown, cake, and bridesmaid dresses are perfect among a list of many other things. Apart from planning for their special day, couples have to make some serious and personal plans to guide them in their future together. Here are four important marriage plans that you and your partner should discuss before tying the knot:
A good pre-nuptial agreement
Before getting married, the idea of signing a pre-nuptial agreement is not one you would want to entertain. Indeed, inquiries into pre-nuptial contracts have increased by 70% over the last decade. This shows that more couples are increasingly considering signing them to safeguard their personal and family wealth should the marriage dissolve. According to recent statistics, 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce. The possibility of divorce is certainly the last thing you will want to consider when planning your wedding day. However, considering the reality of modern marriage, you should. Clarification on how, when, and how much both parties get under certain conditions could be beneficial in the future.
Whether or not to have children
Most people view children as a sign of marital bliss. Despite that, having children is an issue you and your partner need to discuss at length before you proceed to your wedding day. This talk is necessary to determine where each person stands on the topic- Do we want children? What will having a family mean for us? How will our relationship change once children come into the picture? Who will stay at home? A psychotherapist, Linda Lipshutz, recommends these honest conversations about where they stand on having children and their parenting values.
Residence
You should find out the preferred cohabitation arrangement your partner has in mind for both of you. Into whose place will you be moving? Would you be living together in the first place, or apart? Believe it or not, married couples living apart are more prevalent than you think; this usually occurs when both spouses live and work in different locations. Perhaps you might want to relocate out of the country or finalise plans for your partner who is not a citizen to gain residency. The immigration laws surrounding this can be overwhelming, but you will navigate all immigration technicalities with adequate legal representation. Visit https://london-immigrationlawyer.co.uk/ to find out more about legal services that can assist you with such needs.
Finances
The money talk is perhaps the most essential yet uncomfortable topic for couples planning to get married. Financial problems are one of the top five reasons why couples divorce; disagreements over finances are the leading cause of divorce, even more than infidelity! Before you head towards the altar, you should know your partner’s perception of money, their savings attitude, whether they prefer joint or separate accounts, and whether or not they are in debt. Career discussions are also critical to find out the dynamics of who will be making money and how spending will look. Doing this can help you and your partner minimise money-related arguments and frustrations during the marriage.