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This guide explores the vital stages of engagement and wedding planning. It defines engagement as a commitment to marry and emphasizes its purpose in preparing for marriage and transitioning from individuality to partnership. Readers learn about the significance of wedding customs, including prenuptial agreements and traditional rituals. The guide also addresses the complexities of broken engagements and offers strategies for successful wedding planning. Ultimately, it serves as a roadmap for couples to build a strong marital foundation.
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Chapter 31 Choosing Marriage Section 1: The Engagement Section 2: Making Wedding Plans
The Engagement • Definition: (in the dictionary)- attracted, involved, intermeshed • “a promise or intention to marry” • Purposes of engagement period: • Prepare for the wedding • Prepare for marriage • Working towards a transition from “me” to “we”
Engagement • Learning about each other (the book) • Identifying differences (the book) • Developing teamwork • Establishing new relationships- family, friends, children • Seeking advice- premarital counseling
Broken engagements • 1/3 of all engagements don’t result in marriage • Can be difficult but… whatever the difficulties of a broken engagement, they are far less than those of a troubled marriage or divorce
Making Wedding plans • A ceremony with significance- religious, family, friends • Contracts and customs • Contract- binding agreement between two or more people • Laws: marriage has restrictions on minimum age, mental soundness, certain diseases, blood ties (cousins) • A license to marry is issued by the state 30 days before, sometimes with a blood test
Prenuptial Agreements • Partners can write them on any issues they wish but are usually about: • Protecting property within marriage • Establishing ownership in case of marital breakup • Defining roles, rights, and duties of each partner
Customs • Rings- unending circle, gold- value, strength, and enduring quality • Engagement parties and showers- given by family and friends to celebrate • Bad luck to see each other • Vows- promises in front of friends, family and God (if religious) • Bride’s maids & Groom’s men- help the couple, and “stand up” for them
Wedding Concerns • Finances • Traditionally her parents pay • Now it is more common to split 2 (both parents) or 3 (the couple also contributes) ways. • Conflicts • Pleasing family (especially if they are paying) • Photos & seating
Chapter 32Building a Strong Marriage • What make a marriage strong? • Realistic expectations • Commitment-desire to make marriage work • Acceptance • Flexibility • Thoughtfulness • U-shaped satisfaction curve- highs and lows of marriage satisfaction
Skills and Resources in Marriage • Communication • Conflict resolution • Sharing intimacy • Sharing decisions • Common values • Managing resources • Spend time together
Resources for Married Couples • Family and friends • Marriage enrichment- religious or “retreat” • Counseling
The Hard Questions-Susan PiverWith a partner- choose 2 “chapters” to analyze Should agree or the relationship won’t work should discuss but different answers wouldn’t really matter wouldn’t even need to discuss would probably have come up in dating