1. Planning to Marry Planning the Wedding of Your Dreams

2. The Engagement Period Final stage of dating process leading to marriage Signals the start of a couple’s planning for married life

3. Usually starts with a formal announcement The giving or receiving of a ring confirms this commitment

4. Allows time for the couple to plan their wedding Families, customs and traditions must be considered

5. During the Engagement: Couples should:  Take an honest look at their relationship  Discuss children  Discuss money  Work on better communication

6. Planning for Married Life Role Expectations:  Many roles for the marriage partners

7.  Our role expectations are strongly influenced by the roles our parents took  Important for the couple to talk about their roles

8. Planning for Married Life Dividing roles:  Don’t divide work by gender, but by what each does best  Complementary roles – each takes on a role that supplies what the other person lacks  Role sharing – working together to complete a task

9. Planning Finances Planning Finances :  Money is the most common thing for couples to fight about  Talking and planning beforehand will help decrease conflict  A budget planned by the couple will help them manage money

10. Premarital Counseling:  Can be done by a licensed therapist or clergy  Facilitates a couple’s progress toward a “we- oriented” attitude and away from a “me-oriented” one  Helps with communication

11. Breaking the Engagement:  Happens when one or both decide they are not ready for marriage  If either partner doubts that the marriage will be successful, then the engagement should be broken

12. Planning the Wedding:  Respect everybody's opinion and accept the customs and traditions of both families  Be mindful that this is the joining of two families, not just two individuals

13. Marriage Laws:  Legal contract between the man, the woman & the state  Couple must enter into contract by mutual consent (willingly)  Must meet physical and health requirements

14. Bride & Her Family Pay For: Engagement announcement Wedding invitations & postage Wedding gown Floral arrangements & corsages Organists, pianists, soloists Bridal attendants’ dresses/gifts Groom’s wedding ring Reception: food, entertainment

15. Groom & His Family Pay For: Engagement ring Marriage License Clergy Fee Groom’s attire Groom’s attendants’ attire/gifts Bachelor party/rehearsal dinner Bride’s wedding ring Honeymoon

16. The Wedding Ceremony: 1.Is a legal union performed by a licensed official 2.Publicly symbolizes the couple’s commitment to each other

17. Assignment Research the marriage laws in your state and then write a detailed plan for getting everything done in time for the wedding.