20 Questions

101 Questions to Ask Before Getting Engaged List

Comprehensive list of 101 essential questions to ask before getting engaged to ensure you and your partner are truly compatible and ready for marriage.

1

What are your core values and beliefs, and how do they align with mine?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding fundamental compatibility and whether your core values are compatible for a lifelong partnership.

2

What are your thoughts on marriage, and what does it mean to you?

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Why this works

Important for understanding each other's expectations and beliefs about marriage and commitment.

3

What are your financial goals and spending habits, and how do we handle money together?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding financial compatibility and how you'll manage money as a couple.

4

What are your career goals and aspirations, and how do they fit with mine?

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Why this works

Important for understanding how your careers will work together and what support you'll need from each other.

5

What are your thoughts on having children, and how many do you want?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding your family planning goals and whether you're on the same page about children.

6

What are your parenting philosophies and values, and how do they align with mine?

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Why this works

Important for understanding how you'll raise children together and what values you'll instill in them.

7

What are your thoughts on religion and spirituality, and how important are they to you?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding your spiritual beliefs and how they'll influence your relationship and family life.

8

What are your thoughts on family relationships, and how do you want to handle them?

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Why this works

Important for understanding how you'll manage relationships with extended family and what boundaries you'll set.

9

What are your thoughts on communication, and how do you prefer to handle conflicts?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding how you'll communicate and resolve conflicts in your relationship.

10

What are your thoughts on intimacy and physical affection, and what are your needs?

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Why this works

Important for understanding your physical and emotional intimacy needs and how you'll maintain connection.

11

What are your thoughts on household responsibilities, and how do you want to divide them?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding how you'll manage daily life together and what responsibilities each person will have.

12

What are your thoughts on social life and friendships, and how do you want to maintain them?

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Why this works

Important for understanding how you'll balance your relationship with other important relationships in your life.

13

What are your thoughts on personal space and independence, and how much do you need?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding how you'll balance togetherness with individual needs and personal growth.

14

What are your thoughts on travel and adventure, and what experiences do you want to have?

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Why this works

Important for understanding your shared interests and what experiences you want to have together.

15

What are your thoughts on health and wellness, and how do you want to support each other?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding how you'll support each other's health and wellness goals and what lifestyle you want to maintain.

16

What are your thoughts on education and learning, and how do you want to continue growing?

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Why this works

Important for understanding your commitment to personal growth and how you'll support each other's learning and development.

17

What are your thoughts on retirement and aging, and how do you want to plan for the future?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding your long-term planning and how you'll prepare for the future together.

18

What are your thoughts on traditions and celebrations, and what do you want to create together?

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Why this works

Important for understanding what traditions you want to maintain and what new ones you want to create together.

19

What are your thoughts on change and adaptation, and how do you handle life transitions?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding how you'll handle life changes and what support you'll need from each other.

20

What are your thoughts on forgiveness and second chances, and how do you handle mistakes?

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Why this works

Important for understanding how you'll handle conflicts and mistakes in your relationship and what forgiveness means to you.

Pre-Engagement Relationship Assessment

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Be Honest and Open

Answer all questions honestly and openly. This is the time to be completely transparent about your thoughts, feelings, and expectations.

Listen Actively

Pay attention to your partner's answers and ask follow-up questions. This shows your engagement and helps you understand their perspective.

Take Your Time

Don't rush through these questions. Take time to think about your answers and discuss them thoroughly with your partner.

Question Sequences

The Values Explorer

1
What are your core values and beliefs?
2
What are your thoughts on marriage?
3
What are your financial goals and spending habits?
4
What are your career goals and aspirations?

The Family Seeker

1
What are your thoughts on having children?
2
What are your parenting philosophies and values?
3
What are your thoughts on religion and spirituality?
4
What are your thoughts on family relationships?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Avoid Difficult Topics

Don't avoid asking about difficult or uncomfortable topics. These are often the most important questions to ask before getting engaged.

Avoid Making Assumptions

Don't assume you know the answers to these questions. Ask them directly and listen to the actual responses.

Don't Rush the Process

Don't rush through these questions or try to answer them all at once. Take time to discuss each topic thoroughly.

Conversation Templates

The Values Seeker

1
Step 1: Start with: "What are your core values and beliefs?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What are your thoughts on marriage?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What are your financial goals and spending habits?"
4
Step 4: Complete with: "What are your career goals and aspirations?"

The Family Explorer

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What are your thoughts on having children?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What are your parenting philosophies and values?"
3
Step 3: Investigate with: "What are your thoughts on religion and spirituality?"
4
Step 4: Assess with: "What are your thoughts on family relationships?"

Further Reading

"The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman
"Questions for Couples" by various authors
"Relationship Communication" by various authors

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