When couples decide to get engaged, they many still have a degree of autonomy from the each other. This could mean that they still have separate bank accounts, have no children, or live in separate houses.

The commitment to marriage fundamentally alters people’s lives, and is more than just the presentation of a wedding ring. This is something which couples need to bear in mind before making the ultimate decision. It is very unwise to start to plan a wedding, if no consideration has been made to how life will function as a married couple. The last thing which you want to happen is to enter the marriage blind and being shocked when you realise the true nature of everyday life following this.

There are certain issues which we would recommend that you consider with your partner before planning the actual ceremony. Firstly, make sure that both of your finances are in order and that you are not too reliant on one person to pay all the bills – this may be an acceptable situation in theory, yet it could produce some degree of resentment in the future.

Secondly, consider your partner’s relationship with your family and their commitment to engage with them at special events. Whilst this should not be the only reason to put off the marriage, it is definitely something which may need to be worked on to ensure that your family presents you with their full approval.

Thirdly, if one of the partners has children already then it is important to discuss the added commitment which this would generate. Within this it is also worthwhile to discuss your partner’s willingness to have children in the future, as this can be an imperative factor for some people in making the commitment.

Finally, you may need to consider different religious beliefs, in terms of how and where the wedding should be conducted. Sometimes this does tend to be a sticking point between families, however with some thought and degree of empathy, there is always a way around these issues.

These are just some of the factors which should be considered before planning your wedding.