Being in love is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world. We’re all for love here at Easy Weddings, but we also know that being in love doesn’t always mean that a couple will end up together.
It can be exciting when you and your significant other decide that you’re ready to take the next step and commit to one another in marriage, but it can also be daunting. So here are a few of our favourite tips of the signs you’re ready for marriage.
You can keep something alive
For those couples who aren’t ready for children, being able to commit to something separate from yourselves shows both dedication and nurturing. Whether it’s a plant, a goldfish or a pet, there is a certain amount of dedication and routine involved in feeding, watering and walking. Of course being able to keep a dog alive is most important than being able to water a plant, though arguably not as hard to forget. Regardless, is the two of you have a ‘pet’ project you’re able to nurture and commit to together it shows that you can be loving and committed for the long term. And no, a pet rock doesn’t count.
You both know how to budget
Money can have a horrible ability to make things worse rather than better. It can be particularly tricky down the road when life starts throwing lemons at you and can lead to a lot of potential arguments. So being able to budget both as an individual and as a couple means that you’re prioritising not only your own needs but the needs of your partner as well. It doesn’t matter whether you’re saving for a house, a holiday or concert tickets, making sure you’re on the same page when it comes to financial goals can save a lot of heartbreak down the line.
You’ve spent an extended period of time together
You might live together, or maybe you’ve spent three months travelling the world, either way spending an extended period of time with your partner can help make or break a relationship. When you’re in such close quarters with another person those little habits you love so much can become very annoying very quickly. It’s also a lot easier to take stress out on someone else when they’re the person you’re coming home to after a long workday. So already knowing how you work with each other when you’re all up in each other’s grill can be helpful before you walk down the aisle.
You’ve had the kids talk
Regardless of whether you want kids or not, your partner should know how you feel about this subject. You could want to be DINKs long-term or you could want a small footy team running around at your feet. But the most important thing is to make sure you and your significant other are on the same page when it comes to having kids. Children are a big commitment at the best of times so it’s important to make sure you’re both ready to take the leap into parenthood. For one person to sacrifice having kids for another, or one person to sacrifice their no-kids lifestyle could lead to resentment in your relationship down the road. Which isn’t the nicest way to start a marriage.
You’ve taken care of each other when you’re sick
People may joke about man-flu, but being able to look after one another through sickness and health is what marriage is all about. Being able to look after your partner when they’re sick not only means that you’re able to care for their needs, but it also means that they are letting you in in the first place. Particularly when it comes to mental health, some people can find it hard to let down those walls, even to their partner. So being able to care for them means that they’ve put their trust in you and let you know what’s going on. We all know that trust is a major part of any healthy relationship, and for someone to trust you when they’re at their most vulnerable is quite an honour.
You know all their dirty little secrets
Relationships are about opening doors and letting people in. And while that can come with leaving the door open when you go to the bathroom together, it also comes with letting your partner know what you got up to before your relationship. A trusting and honest relationship means not being blindsided by the other person’s secrets. No matter how trivial or serious something is if you think your partner may not be on board with someone from your past it’s always best to talk about it with them honestly and openly before you walk down the aisle. You never know when these things are going to come out, and being open with them in the first place means they won’t feel blindsided if it does.
You’ve assembled furniture together
You might laugh, but there’s just something about trying to assemble a flatpack that gets the emotions running high. Marriage is about loving one another at your best and at your worst, and this definitely falls into the latter category. But in all seriousness, building furniture can also be a great way to work as a team towards a common goal. It can show you how you work together under pressure as well as how you react to being told what to do. The race for the instructions is on…
You both want to get married
While it may seem obvious to say on a wedding blog, making sure you both actually want to get married is also really important before you walk down the aisle. No one wants to be forced to do anything, and like kids, sacrifices can lead to resentment in your relationship. Making sure you’re actually both on the same page when it comes to marriage is key before you tie the knot.
You can’t live without them
At the end of the day, your significant other should be someone you’re deeply in love with and can’t imagine living without! Marriage is a celebration of that love and sharing it with more people you love. And for many people, that’s all that matters.
