Invest in the venue or the relationship? Maybe you can have your cake and eat it too (after all, wedding cake is delicious!)
According to a study conducted by The Knot, in 2023 the average American couple spends approximately $35,000 on their wedding day. If the details of the big day were a predictor of wedded bliss, Americans would be living happily ever after. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Predictors of a happy marriage can be found more on the emotional spectrum rather than within the tangibles. The way a couple communicates navigates conflict, and has shared meaning with one another carries more weight than the type of flowers adorning the aisle.
Couples can gain these skills and insights through premarital counseling. A recent study determined that only 36% of couples participate in premarital counseling (Miguel, 2022). One reason couples noted for not prioritizing counseling was that the wedding planning itself occupied too much time and energy. Another reason listed was that the wedding was already costly enough without adding on counseling costs as well.
Couples seem to have their priorities jumbled up, maybe they can have their cake and eat it too! Here are some tips to solidify your foundation before the big day:
- Don’t lose touch of who your partner is. Talk often and ask questions. Download the Gottman Card Deck app and learn each other’s Love Maps.
- Share the reasons you love your partner, often!
- Turn towards your partner for support and comfort, avoid seeking this from others or muscling through hard things alone.
- Choose to see the best in each other, after all, you are on the same team!
- Understand and support one another goals.
The foundational skills needed to prioritize the actual relationship and set yourself up for marital satisfaction will cost pennies compared to the price tag of the big day. Premarital counseling is often brief, but the value is immeasurable. The wedding may only last 6 hours, but marriage is for a lifetime. Why not grab the opportunity to build a solid foundation and have an amazing wedding day? Visit our Marriage Marathon page to consult with Robin and to learn more about how the premarital marathon can make your relationship even better.