20 Questions

101 Questions to Ask Before Getting Married

Essential questions to help you understand your partner's values, goals, and expectations before making the commitment to marriage.

1

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

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Why this works

Reveals fundamental beliefs and helps you understand if your values are compatible and if you can build a life together.

2

What are your long-term goals and how do they align with mine?

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Why this works

Shows future direction and helps you understand if your goals are compatible and if you can support each other's dreams.

3

What are your expectations for marriage and what does it mean to you?

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Why this works

Reveals marriage expectations and helps you understand what marriage means to your partner and what they expect from it.

4

What are your views on children and family planning?

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Why this works

Shows family goals and helps you understand if you both want children, when, and how many.

5

What are your financial goals and how do you handle money?

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Why this works

Reveals financial compatibility and helps you understand if your financial values and habits are compatible.

6

What are your career goals and how do they align with family life?

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Why this works

Shows career priorities and helps you understand how career goals will impact family life and responsibilities.

7

What are your views on religion and spirituality?

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Why this works

Reveals spiritual beliefs and helps you understand if your religious and spiritual views are compatible.

8

What are your expectations for household responsibilities and division of labor?

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Why this works

Shows domestic expectations and helps you understand how household responsibilities will be divided and managed.

9

What are your views on communication and conflict resolution?

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Why this works

Reveals communication style and helps you understand how you'll handle disagreements and resolve conflicts.

10

What are your expectations for intimacy and physical affection?

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Why this works

Shows intimacy needs and helps you understand if your physical and emotional intimacy needs are compatible.

11

What are your views on social life and friendships?

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Why this works

Reveals social expectations and helps you understand how you'll maintain friendships and social connections.

12

What are your expectations for holidays and family traditions?

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Why this works

Shows tradition preferences and helps you understand how you'll handle holidays and family traditions.

13

What are your views on personal space and independence?

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Why this works

Reveals independence needs and helps you understand how much personal space and independence you both need.

14

What are your expectations for decision-making and major life choices?

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Why this works

Shows decision-making style and helps you understand how you'll make major life decisions together.

15

What are your views on health and lifestyle choices?

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Why this works

Reveals lifestyle compatibility and helps you understand if your health and lifestyle choices are compatible.

16

What are your expectations for support during difficult times?

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Why this works

Shows support needs and helps you understand how you'll support each other during challenges and difficult times.

17

What are your views on personal growth and self-improvement?

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Why this works

Reveals growth mindset and helps you understand if you both value personal growth and self-improvement.

18

What are your expectations for boundaries with family and friends?

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Why this works

Shows boundary needs and helps you understand how you'll handle boundaries with family and friends.

19

What are your views on technology and social media use?

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Why this works

Reveals technology preferences and helps you understand if your technology and social media habits are compatible.

20

What are your expectations for adventure and trying new things?

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Why this works

Shows adventure preferences and helps you understand if you both enjoy adventure and trying new experiences together.

Best Practices for Pre-Marriage Conversations

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

Best Practices

Focus on Core Values

Ask questions that help you understand your partner's core values, beliefs, and priorities to ensure compatibility.

Discuss Future Goals

Ask about long-term goals, career plans, and life aspirations to ensure you're heading in the same direction.

Address Practical Matters

Ask about financial habits, household responsibilities, and practical matters to ensure you can build a life together.

Question Sequences

The Values Alignment Sequence

1
What are your core values and how do they align with mine?
2
What are your views on religion and spirituality?
3
What are your views on personal growth and self-improvement?
4
What are your expectations for support during difficult times?

The Future Planning Sequence

1
What are your long-term goals and how do they align with mine?
2
What are your views on children and family planning?
3
What are your career goals and how do they align with family life?
4
What are your financial goals and how do you handle money?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Avoid Difficult Topics

Address difficult topics like finances, children, and family dynamics. These are crucial for long-term compatibility.

Don't Assume Compatibility

Don't assume you're compatible on important issues. Ask specific questions to understand your partner's views and expectations.

Don't Rush the Process

Take time to have these conversations. Rushing through important topics can lead to misunderstandings and future problems.

Conversation Templates

The Values Discussion Template

1
Step 1: Start with: "What are your core values and how do they align with mine?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What are your views on religion and spirituality?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What are your views on personal growth and self-improvement?"
4
Step 4: Connect with: "What are your expectations for support during difficult times?"

The Future Planning Template

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What are your long-term goals and how do they align with mine?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What are your views on children and family planning?"
3
Step 3: Understand with: "What are your career goals and how do they align with family life?"
4
Step 4: Learn with: "What are your financial goals and how do you handle money?"

Further Reading

"The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" by John Gottman
"Getting the Love You Want" by Harville Hendrix
"The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman
"Marriage Preparation" by relationship counselors

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