Questions to Ask Before Engagement
Essential questions to help you understand your partner's values, goals, and expectations before making the commitment to engagement and marriage.
1What are your core values and how do they guide your decisions?
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What are your core values and how do they guide your decisions?
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Why this works
Understanding their values helps you see if you're aligned on fundamental principles that will guide your life together.
2How do you envision our life together in 5 years?
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How do you envision our life together in 5 years?
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Why this works
Learning about their long-term vision helps you see if your goals and dreams are compatible.
3What are your thoughts on having children and how would you raise them?
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What are your thoughts on having children and how would you raise them?
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Why this works
Understanding their parenting philosophy helps you see if you're aligned on one of life's most important decisions.
4How do you handle conflict and what's your approach to resolving disagreements?
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How do you handle conflict and what's your approach to resolving disagreements?
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Why this works
Learning about their conflict resolution style helps you understand how you'll work through challenges together.
5What are your financial goals and how do you approach money management?
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What are your financial goals and how do you approach money management?
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Why this works
Understanding their financial philosophy helps you see if you're compatible on money matters, which often cause relationship stress.
6How important is your career to you and how do you balance work and personal life?
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How important is your career to you and how do you balance work and personal life?
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Why this works
Learning about their work-life balance helps you understand their priorities and how they'll approach family time.
7What are your thoughts on religion, spirituality, and how they fit into family life?
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What are your thoughts on religion, spirituality, and how they fit into family life?
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Why this works
Understanding their spiritual beliefs helps you see if you're aligned on faith and how it will influence your family.
8How do you envision dividing household responsibilities and decision-making?
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How do you envision dividing household responsibilities and decision-making?
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Why this works
Learning about their expectations helps you understand how you'll share the practical aspects of married life.
9What are your thoughts on maintaining relationships with extended family?
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What are your thoughts on maintaining relationships with extended family?
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Why this works
Understanding their family dynamics helps you see how you'll navigate relationships with in-laws and extended family.
10How do you handle stress and what do you need for support during difficult times?
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How do you handle stress and what do you need for support during difficult times?
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Why this works
Learning about their stress management helps you understand how to support them and what they need from you.
11What are your thoughts on personal growth and how do you want to continue developing?
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What are your thoughts on personal growth and how do you want to continue developing?
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Why this works
Understanding their growth mindset helps you see if you're compatible on personal development and change.
12How do you envision handling major life decisions together?
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How do you envision handling major life decisions together?
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Why this works
Learning about their decision-making process helps you understand how you'll approach important choices as a couple.
13What are your thoughts on intimacy and physical affection in marriage?
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What are your thoughts on intimacy and physical affection in marriage?
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Why this works
Understanding their views on intimacy helps you see if you're compatible on this important aspect of marriage.
14How do you handle change and what's your approach to adapting to new situations?
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How do you handle change and what's your approach to adapting to new situations?
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Why this works
Learning about their adaptability helps you understand how they'll handle the changes that come with marriage and life.
15What are your thoughts on maintaining friendships and social connections?
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What are your thoughts on maintaining friendships and social connections?
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Why this works
Understanding their social needs helps you see how you'll balance your relationship with other important connections.
16How do you envision handling disagreements about major life decisions?
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How do you envision handling disagreements about major life decisions?
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Why this works
Learning about their approach to major disagreements helps you understand how you'll work through important conflicts.
17What are your thoughts on traditions and how do you want to create new ones together?
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What are your thoughts on traditions and how do you want to create new ones together?
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Why this works
Understanding their views on traditions helps you see how you'll blend your backgrounds and create your own family culture.
18How do you handle disappointment and what's your approach to managing expectations?
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How do you handle disappointment and what's your approach to managing expectations?
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Why this works
Learning about their disappointment management helps you understand how they'll handle the inevitable challenges of marriage.
19What are your thoughts on maintaining individual identity within marriage?
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What are your thoughts on maintaining individual identity within marriage?
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Why this works
Understanding their views on individuality helps you see how you'll balance togetherness with personal growth.
20What are your biggest fears about marriage and how do you want to address them?
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What are your biggest fears about marriage and how do you want to address them?
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Why this works
Learning about their fears helps you understand their concerns and how you can support each other through challenges.
Building a Strong Foundation
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Having Meaningful Conversations
Create a Safe Space
Choose a comfortable, private setting where you can both be honest and vulnerable without judgment.
Listen Without Defensiveness
Focus on understanding their perspective rather than immediately defending your own position.
Ask Follow-up Questions
When they share something important, ask follow-up questions to get deeper understanding and show genuine interest.