Magnificent Marriage: How to Start out on the Right Foot

Getting married is one of the most exciting moments in many people’s lives. Falling in love is truly magical, and committing yourself to someone you love and trust can make your heart swell like never before. You can get your marriage off to an especially spectacular start by adopting the right attitude and making a few smart decisions. Here’s what you should keep in mind as you begin your life as half of a married couple.

Plan a Beautiful Wedding

Your wedding might only constitute a single day, but it will set the tone for the rest of your marriage. This is the moment you’ll always look back on, the moment you committed yourselves to one another. You want every aspect of the day to be as wonderful as possible. That means securing everything well ahead of time in accordance with your tastes. Wedding ballrooms and reception halls are often booked well in advance, so it pays to be proactive.

Don’t Bankrupt Yourselves With the Wedding and Honeymoon

While you want your wedding to be fantastic, you shouldn’t dig yourself an inescapable financial hole. Trying to plan the perfect wedding and the ideal honeymoon can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, leaving you to start your lives together in considerable debt. You’re much better off setting a realistic budget and sticking to it.

Form Good Listening Habits

Once you’re living together, you need to adopt the habits and skills that make cohabitation most successful. Listening is perhaps the single most important skill for members of a couple to master. Really lending an ear to your partner’s concerns makes them feel loved and understood. It also gives you a better sense of where they’re coming from, which makes it easier to resolve disputes and keep the peace.

Maintain a Social Life Beyond Your Partner

While your partner is likely to be the center of your world, they shouldn’t be your entire universe. If you’re too obsessed with each other and spend every moment together, a sense of dependence could develop. You’ll feel helpless if the other person isn’t around or if problems arise in the relationship. You’re much better off maintaining a vibrant social life beyond what you share with your spouse.

While it’s never too late to salvage a problematic marriage, you increase your chances of happiness by starting off on the right foot. Follow these tips to launch a happy, thriving marriage.