20 Questions

Questions to Ask a Girl Before Marriage

Essential questions to explore values, goals, and compatibility before making a lifelong commitment.

1

What are your top three life goals and how do you plan to achieve them?

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Why this works

Reveals her priorities and ambitions, showing whether your life paths and timelines can align harmoniously.

2

How do you envision our lives together in 5, 10, and 20 years?

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Why this works

Shows her long-term vision for the relationship and whether you share compatible expectations for your future.

3

What role does family play in your life and how often do you want to visit relatives?

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Why this works

Reveals family expectations and boundaries, which often become sources of conflict in marriage.

4

How do you handle conflict and what's your approach to resolving disagreements?

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Why this works

Shows her communication style and conflict resolution skills, which are crucial for navigating married life.

5

What are your views on finances, budgeting, and spending habits?

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Why this works

Financial disagreements are a leading cause of marital stress, so understanding her money philosophy is essential.

6

Do you want children, and if so, how many and when?

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Why this works

Addresses fundamental life decisions that must align for a successful marriage and family life.

7

What are your religious or spiritual beliefs and how important are they in daily life?

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Why this works

Shows her spiritual values and whether they align with yours, which affects major life decisions.

8

How do you define love and what does it mean to you in a marriage?

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Why this works

Reveals her emotional expectations and love language, helping you understand how to meet her needs.

9

What are your career aspirations and how do you balance work with personal life?

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Why this works

Shows her work-life priorities and whether they align with your expectations for family time and career support.

10

What are your non-negotiables in a relationship and what would you consider dealbreakers?

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Why this works

Identifies critical boundaries and expectations that must be respected for the relationship to thrive.

11

How do you handle stress and what support do you need from your partner?

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Why this works

Reveals her coping mechanisms and what she needs from you during difficult times.

12

What are your thoughts on household responsibilities and how should they be divided?

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Why this works

Addresses practical daily life expectations and prevents resentment from unequal workload distribution.

13

How important is physical intimacy to you and how do you communicate your needs?

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Why this works

Opens dialogue about expectations for intimacy and how to maintain a healthy physical relationship.

14

What are your thoughts on personal space and time apart in a marriage?

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Why this works

Shows her expectations for independence and togetherness, helping establish healthy boundaries.

15

How do you want to handle disagreements about parenting styles if we have children?

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Why this works

Addresses potential conflicts in child-rearing approaches before they become major issues.

16

What are your expectations for holidays, traditions, and family celebrations?

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Why this works

Reveals her values around traditions and how to navigate competing family expectations.

17

How do you handle change and what's your approach to life's unexpected challenges?

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Why this works

Shows her adaptability and resilience, which are crucial for weathering life's inevitable storms together.

18

What does forgiveness mean to you and how do you practice it in relationships?

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Why this works

Reveals her capacity for grace and whether she can move past hurts or holds onto resentment.

19

What are your health habits and lifestyle preferences regarding diet, exercise, and wellness?

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Why this works

Shows her approach to health and whether your lifestyles can complement each other in daily life.

20

How do you want to grow together as a couple and what does a successful marriage look like to you?

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Why this works

Reveals her vision for ongoing growth and whether you share the same definition of marital success.

Best Practices for Pre-Marriage Conversations

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

Best Practices

Create a Safe Space

Have these conversations in a private, comfortable setting where both of you feel safe being vulnerable and honest.

Listen Without Judgment

Approach these conversations with curiosity rather than judgment, seeking to understand her perspective fully.

Be Honest About Your Own Answers

Share your own thoughts openly and honestly rather than giving answers you think she wants to hear.

Question Sequences

The Life Vision Sequence

1
What are your top life goals?
2
How do you envision our future together?
3
What are your career aspirations?
4
Do you want children and when?

The Values and Beliefs Sequence

1
What are your religious beliefs?
2
How do you define love in marriage?
3
What are your non-negotiables?
4
What does a successful marriage look like?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Avoid Difficult Topics

Address uncomfortable subjects like money, sex, and family now rather than discovering incompatibilities after marriage.

Avoid Making Assumptions

Don't assume you know what she thinks or wants. Have explicit conversations about expectations and values.

Don't Rush the Process

Take time to have deep, thoughtful conversations rather than checking boxes. These discussions build foundation for marriage.

Conversation Templates

The Comprehensive Pre-Marriage Discussion

1
Step 1: Start with life goals and vision for the future
2
Step 2: Discuss values, beliefs, and non-negotiables
3
Step 3: Address practical matters like finances and household
4
Step 4: Explore emotional needs and relationship expectations

The Follow-Up Check-In

1
Step 1: Review previous discussions and any changes
2
Step 2: Address any concerns that have come up
3
Step 3: Discuss how to handle disagreements
4
Step 4: Reaffirm commitment and shared vision

Further Reading

"Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married" by Gary Chapman
"The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" by John Gottman
"The Meaning of Marriage" by Timothy Keller
"Before You Say 'I Do'" by H. Norman Wright

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