Preparing for Married Life

When we start a new hobby, a new job or learn a new skill, we take the trouble to prepare ourselves, so we can make the most of it. Preparing for our wedding day can take up a lot of our time and energy, but we are starting out on a new phase of life together. It's worth investing some time and effort in giving ourselves the best possible start in married life. In this section you will find articles, books and courses that can give you that "good start". Throughout the rest of the site you will find lots more to inform, entertain and encourage you in the years ahead. We hope you will come back and explore when the honeymoon is over.

Local Marriage Preparation Providers
Find out about courses near you that you can attend to prepare for your married life.

National Organisations Providing Marriage Preparation
Some service providers offer their programmes at venues around country.

Premarital Self-Help Resources
Looking for resources that you can use together at home?

Resources for those Wishing to run Marriage Preparation Courses
Looking for resources for your marriage preparation course?

Before you say "I do" Seven Crucial Questions to Ask Yourself Before Marriage from Relate

Changing your name - the ins and outs Changing your name on getting married (or even on divorce) can be an important part of establishing a new identity. Here's the official advice on what you can and can't do.

Choosing the Right One: 16 Questions to ask yourself before you marry A simple and comprehensive set of questions to consider before you decide to marry.

Cohabitation vs Marriage There is a world of difference between just living together, and being married!!

In Love But Worlds Apart: Insights, Questions, and Tips for the Intercultural Couple A self-help workbook for today's adult man and woman from two different cultural backgrounds who are considering, or who have already begun, a marriage partnership with each other

Married for God Find out God's plan for marriage

Ready for marriage? How do we know we are right for each other? What happens if we are not compatible? This book seeks to answer such questions.

Why are cohabiting couples so unstable Insights into the factors behind the relative instability of cohabitation drawn from latest research

Why marry? Have you given it any thought as to why you want to get married?

Marriage can save you money! Five simple ways that being married can save you money

Trained for Marriage? Have you had any training for marriage?

FAQs - Getting Married in the Church of England Frequently asked questions around getting married in church

Growing Together An excellent and thought provoking book which encourages you to talk through all sorts of important issues

Highway Code for Marriage Wanting to build strong foundations into your marriage?

Pocket Prayers for Marriage A wonderful little book of prayers for all the joys and challenges of married life

Rules of Engagement A wedding planner with down to earth relationship advice

Getting married ... second time around! Weddings are hard enough to plan the first time round. How do you deal with children, ex-partners, etc?

How to Get Married Again A guide to second weddings

Prenups for Lovers: A Romantic Guide to Prenuptial Agreements Clear and entertaining, this book is a good starting place for those considering a prenuptial agreement.

Prenuptial Agreements Examine the Pro's and Con's of drawing up an agreement on your property and children.

Thinking of marrying someone from another culture? Marrying across cultures brings special challenges - examine how this might affect your marriage.

Marriage Means Find out what marriage meant to 36 engaged couples as they looked forward to married life.