What is the most important thing to know before getting married?

-L

Are you a guy or girl.. and how old are you

You should know that if you are getting married because it's the next step, it's the thing to do or its because its what your partner wants, you are getting married for the wrong reasons.

You need to know that it is what YOU really want. Do not let yourself get pressured into a marriage by your partner, family, of anyone else. You need to consider what's going to change, where will you live? How will the expenses be paid? A better planned marriage is a less stressful marriage. Don't make the leap until you have a solid platform to land on. Good luck.

You should know that once you are married - it isn't "happily ever after"

It is hard work. It can be wonderful and fulfilling. It can be heartbreaking too.

You should know that married life is not what fairytales are made of.
No matter how much you love your spouse.

And know that you are now a team - you will and should always consider the feelings of the person you married when you make decisions. Because now it effects you both.

Oh and don't get to caught up on planning the wedding.
Get caught up on the marriage!

You should know that it can possibly end one day no matter what your spouse promises now.

You should know that you won't always get along, you will fight and at one time or another you or he will want to leave. If you're strong, work together, love each other and act as a team then you can survive.

You should know that the honeymoon doesn't last forever, in fact it sometimes doesn't even last through the honeymoon.

You should know that once you have kids it will be harder, then you'll have to think of more than just him/her and yourself.

You should know that money can cause a big strain on a marriage, that's what causes most marriages to end.

You should know that saying those vows is a pledge to be together forever, not to leave when someone better looking, richer, more attentive comes along.

You should know that marriage means be there for the good times and the bad, no matter what.

You should know that 50% of marriages end in divorce. Why? Because they didn't know the things you should know.

You should know how each other feels about religion and politics and you should not expect that the other person will change his/her views. You should know for sure that you two are compatible on the really important issues.

You should know if what your doing is the RIGHT one.

You should make sure that you can trust and rely on him anytime.

You need to make sure he is not the cheating type.

As a divorcée in what feels like a still fairly new relationship where we are still discovering a lot about each other (thankfully), these are my thoughts.

Apart from all the good advice you've read so far, the most important way to start a marriage is for you both to have that 'forever' feeling.

Also a shared vision and the freedom to pursue your dreams from the outset of your relationship can keep you connected and satisfied throughout your marriage. Even so, be aware that what we want can change over time and you won't always be in sinc with each other.

A major challenge in a marriage is to avoid putting your partner in a box with a fixed mind-set of who you believe them to be (their strengths and weaknesses), so be prepared to work at rediscovering each other afresh from time to time, giving each other room to continue growing as an individual.

You should know YOURSELF, and love yourself. If you do not love yourself, you don't know how to properly love someone else.

You should know that marriage is WORK, and that even though you always LOVE your partner, you don't always LIKE them--and that's hard to work past.

You should know how to communicate with each other, and should trust each other enough that you can say even the things that hurt to each other--especially if it is said out of concern. (Honey... you're really gaining weight. I love you anyway, and still think you're sexy, but you need to start working out for your health)

You should know that you are still TWO people, with interests of your own. Being joined at the hip with no other friends, or doing EVERYTHING together just isn't healthy.

You should know that divorce just isn't an option. If you walk into a marriage with the idea that you will NOT be getting a divorce, you'll do everything possible to make it work.

No one is perfect:)-

(Not even your mother-in-law!)

You should know if you can deal with your partners bad side, as well as the good side. (If they have one!)

Through thick and thin ,good times and bad.

I will love you when you are unlovable.

We shall laugh together!!