Congratulations
On this extraordinary journey of engagement! I'm Sassi, a committed creator based in Columbus, Ohio, fervently dedicated to capturing the enchantment of love through my lens. As a wedding photographer, my aim is to assist couples like you in preparing for your significant day with serenity, joy, and gratitude.
Before we delve into the heart of the matter, allow me to express my genuine excitement for both of you. Your decision to commit to a lifetime together is genuinely a moment to cherish.
Here's a glimpse into the 50 essential questions to deepen your connection and set the stage for a harmonious journey:
Questions cover the following topics:
VIEW OF MATRIMONY
COPING MECHANISMS
COMMUNICATION
FAMILY DYNAMICS
INTIMACY
PARENTING
TRADITIONS & EXPECTATIONS
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
FAITH
EXTENDED FAMILY TIES
FINANCES & MORE
1 | HAVE THERE BEEN ANY MATRIMONIAL UNIONS YOU'VE WITNESSED THAT SHAPE YOUR VIEW OF MARRIAGE, EITHER POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY?
What a person witnesses in the unions of others can deeply impact the way one views marriage as a whole. Some individuals have had incredibly positive examples, and some have never witnessed a positive example of marriage, and this is important to discuss.
2 | WHERE DO YOU ENVISION LIVING?
Location, location, location. If you met in the same city, this might be obvious. If you are a long-distance couple, considering the answer to this is beneficial to any plans for the future.
3 | WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO RELOCATING?
Some people want to stay where they are forever, and this is a non-negotiable for them. Some people would be open to moving across the globe or relocating every few years just to explore different places. Location preferences matter greatly when looking at the long-term with another person.
4 | IS BEING CLOSE TO EXTENDED FAMILY IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Some people care deeply about this, while for others, it may be irrelevant. Discussing the importance of maintaining closeness with extended family can provide valuable insights.
5 | WHAT ARE YOUR POLITICAL PRIORITIES AND HOT-BUTTON ISSUES THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Diving into this topic can help you understand each other's political, cultural, or social values and if you are aligned on these matters.
6 | HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU ENVISION HAVING?
There is a significant difference between envisioning a family with two children and a family with six. While the future is uncertain, discussing your visions for a future family is key.
7 | WHAT IS YOUR TIMELINE FOR STARTING A FAMILY?
Some individuals dream of starting a family immediately after marriage, while others envision waiting a few years or more. Understanding each other's timelines is crucial.
8 | HOW DO YOU PERCEIVE THE ROLE AND BOUNDARIES OF OUR PARENTS IN OUR RELATIONSHIP AND WITH ANY FUTURE CHILDREN WE WOULD HAVE?
In-law boundaries, expectations, and hopes can have a significant impact on a couple's life together in marriage.
9 | WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF YOUR PARENTS' RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU WANT TO REPLICATE OR AVOID IN OUR MARRIAGE?
Reflecting on the positive and negative aspects of your parents' relationship can offer insights into your own expectations and desires for your marriage.
10 | DO YOU HAVE DEBTS? HOW MUCH? DO YOU HAVE SAVINGS? HOW MUCH?
Discussing the reality of each person's individual finances is crucial before joining your lives together. Knowing each other's financial standing is essential for a solid foundation.
11 | WHAT IS YOUR CREDIT SCORE?
While some may find this question trivial, a person's credit score can have implications for future financial decisions. Openly discussing credit scores can prevent surprises down the road.
12 | WHAT ARE YOUR FINANCIAL PRIORITIES, AND DO YOU PREFER JOINT OR SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNTS?
Discussing financial priorities and preferences regarding joint or separate bank accounts is crucial to avoid misunderstandings after marriage.
13 | HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK IS ACCEPTABLE TO SPEND WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR SPOUSE?
Understanding each other's perspectives on spending limits without consultation is an important financial discussion.
14 | WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING BILLS?
Establishing expectations for the responsibilities that come with running a household is practical and helpful for the future.
15 | WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR HOME SECURITY? ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH HAVING FIREARMS IN THE HOUSE?
Individuals can have different views on home security and the presence of firearms. Discussing these views openly can lead to deeper discussions on the topic.
16 | DO YOU EXPECT YOUR PARTNER TO BE A STAY-AT-HOME PARENT? WOULD YOU SUPPORT ME WORKING, EVEN IF WE HAVE CHILDREN?
Discussing expectations and beliefs regarding parenting roles is crucial, especially in a cultural landscape where these roles can be diverse.
17 | WHAT KIND OF PARENT DO YOU ASPIRE TO BE?
If you become a parent, understanding the qualities you want to emulate is important for shaping your parenting approach.
18 | WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FATHER LIKE?
The relationship with one's father can leave a lasting impression. Discussing the impact of the father's role can provide insights into what has shaped each person.
19 | WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND EXPECTATIONS REGARDING FATHERHOOD?
Some individuals have deeply considered fatherhood, while others may not have thought about it extensively.
20 | HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEND HOLIDAYS WITH OUR FAMILIES?
Discussing family-related matters during holidays is essential, whether it involves spending time with both families on the same day or navigating the challenges of being away from family during certain occasions.
21 | WHAT CUSTOMS OR TRADITIONS DO YOU WANT TO INCORPORATE INTO OUR MARRIAGE/FAMILY, ESPECIALLY IF THESE ARE FROM CHILDHOOD? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON "SANTA" AT CHRISTMAS IF WE HAVE CHILDREN?
Exploring family traditions and discussing the incorporation of childhood customs into your marriage can lead to meaningful conversations.
22 | WHAT FAITH DO YOU WANT TO INSTILL IN OUR CHILDREN?
Discussing religious beliefs and the desired faith for your children is crucial for aligning values within the family.
23 | HOW DO YOU PLAN TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILY?
Understanding each other's plans and perspectives on providing for the family is an important aspect of marriage.
24 | WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN? PUBLIC SCHOOL VS. PRIVATE SCHOOL VS. HOMESCHOOLING?
Educational preferences can vary, and discussing these preferences early on can help in making informed decisions for the future.
25 | HOW DO YOU VIEW FERTILITY AWARENESS AND NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING? IS IT SOMETHING YOU ARE WILLING TO PRACTICE CONSISTENTLY?
Exploring views on family planning methods, including fertility awareness and natural family planning, is a topic that requires in-depth discussion for a shared understanding.
26 | WHAT ARE YOUR HEALTH AND EATING HABITS?
Understanding each other
's health and lifestyle choices is important for maintaining a healthy relationship.
27 | HAS SEXUAL INTIMACY BEEN A PART OF YOUR PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIPS?
Openly discussing past relationships, including experiences with sexual intimacy, is crucial for fostering trust and understanding.
28 | HOW DO YOU ENVISION HANDLING INFERTILITY?
Discussing potential challenges, such as infertility, and how you both envision navigating such situations is important for emotional support and understanding.
29 | HOW DID YOUR PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIPS CONCLUDE?
Understanding how past relationships ended provides insights into a person's relationship history.
30 | HAVE YOU EVER BEEN UNFAITHFUL IN A PAST RELATIONSHIP?
While delving into the past, discussing instances of infidelity and the choices made can contribute to openness and honesty.
31 | HAVE YOU EVER ENGAGED IN VIOLENT BEHAVIOR TOWARD A PAST PARTNER OR ANYONE ELSE IN YOUR LIFE?
Discussing past instances of violence is crucial for understanding and addressing potential red flags.
32 | HOW WAS CONFLICT ADDRESSED IN YOUR FAMILY GROWING UP, AND WHAT ISSUES TENDED TO CREATE CONFLICT?
Navigating conflict in a healthy and constructive way is a key aspect of a successful marriage.
33 | REGARDING TRUTH AND DIFFICULT SITUATIONS, WERE THINGS ADDRESSED OR BURIED?
Understanding how difficult situations were handled in the past provides insights into communication styles and coping mechanisms.
34 | WERE THERE TOPICS THAT WERE OFF-LIMITS OR UNDISCUSSED IN YOUR FAMILY?
Knowing whether certain topics were off-limits in the family can contribute to understanding communication dynamics.
35 | (APPLICABLE IF HIS MOTHER IS LIVING AND INVOLVED IN HIS LIFE) IF I EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR MOTHER'S ACTIONS OR BOUNDARY-CROSSING, HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
Addressing potential concerns about in-laws, particularly mothers, is important for setting boundaries and expectations.
36 | HOW WERE YOU TREATED BY YOUR PARENTS, AND WAS THERE ANY FORM OF ABUSE?
Discussing past experiences with parental treatment and the presence of abuse is a sensitive yet important conversation.
37 | HOW DO YOU PREFER TO RECEIVE SUPPORT?
Understanding how each person likes to be supported emotionally is crucial for providing effective support in times of need.
38 | DO YOU ENGAGE IN PORNOGRAPHY OR MASTURBATION? HOW OFTEN HAS THIS BEEN A PART OF YOUR LIFE?
Discussing views on pornography and masturbation, as well as any past experiences, is important for maintaining open communication about intimacy.
39 | HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR EMOTIONS? ARE YOU SKILLED AT UNDERSTANDING THEM, OR DO YOU TEND TO SUPPRESS THEM?
Emotional maturity is crucial in a relationship, and understanding each other's emotional management styles contributes to a healthy dynamic.
40 | HOW DO YOU ENVISION HANDLING AGING OR ILL PARENTS? IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF THEM LIVING WITH US?
Discussing potential scenarios related to aging or ill parents and how you both envision handling these situations is important for future planning.
41 | WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR SPOUSAL SUPPORT DURING TIMES OF SICKNESS OR SUFFERING?
Understanding each other's expectations regarding support during challenging times contributes to a strong foundation.
42 | WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS REGARDING HOUSEHOLD CHORES, COOKING, CLEANING, ETC.?
Discussing expectations for household responsibilities is essential for establishing a harmonious living arrangement.
43 | WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON VACATIONS? HOW OFTEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THEM?
Discussing preferences regarding vacations, including frequency and destination choices, helps align expectations for leisure time.
44 | ARE YOU OPEN TO COUPLES COUNSELING BEFORE AND/OR DURING MARRIAGE, FOR BOTH IDENTIFYING ISSUES AND IMPROVING COMMUNICATION?
Understanding each other's openness to couples counseling, if needed, is important for addressing challenges and fostering communication.
45 | DESCRIBE IN YOUR OWN WORDS WHAT A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST MEANS TO YOU AND HOW YOU NURTURE THAT CONNECTION.
Exploring individual beliefs and practices related to a personal relationship with Christ is crucial for understanding spiritual values.
46 | WHEN GOD’S WORD ENCOURAGES LOVING YOUR SPOUSE AS CHRIST LOVES THE CHURCH, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?
Clarifying personal interpretations of biblical teachings on love within marriage contributes to shared spiritual understanding.
48 | WHAT IS YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE?
Understanding each other's love languages, as described in The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, can enhance communication and emotional connection.
49 | WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS REGARDING FRIENDSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Discussing boundaries and expectations regarding friendships with individuals of the opposite sex helps establish trust and understanding.
50 | WHAT IS YOUR LIFE GOAL? WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE END OF YOUR LIFE?
Discussing individual life goals and aspirations provides insights into long-term visions and values.
Embark on this journey of exploration and reflection with the understanding that these questions serve as stepping stones to a deeper connection and a flourishing marriage.
Wishing you a future filled with enduring love and shared dreams.
Warm regards,
Sassi Photo
Founder & SEO of Eternal Love Galleries
