Strengthen the Bond

Living Together Before Marriage
Are you ready to move-in together? Even if you already spend all your time joined at the hip—moving-in is a big step. Not only are you combining all your stuff, but you’re also eliminating the option to spend time alone at your respective homes. Not to mention you’ll have to deal with family members who do not approve of you living together before marriage. You should be ready for a higher level of commitment in the relationship before you even broach the subject. And be ready for some pushback on the idea.

Learning Not to Argue
Arguing is the silver bullet of relationships. To ensure the long-term success of your marriage, you both need to learn to avoid arguing. This, of course, is easier said than done. Getting couples counseling from a professional can be good way to build a strong foundation of productive communication.

Combing Your Wealth
Taking steps toward combing each others wealth can be a good way to demonstrate a higher level of commitment before tying the not officially. Try going in together on a certificate of deposit (CD) or other short-term investment. When your ready, add each other to your bank accounts and credit cards.

Keep Dating
Wedding planning can dominate your life together once you get engaged. Remember to keep things spicy between the two of you by taking breaks from planning and going out on dates.