Preparing for marriage: what to discuss before the wedding
Preparing for our marriage
Thirty days to discuss beforehand what gets argued about later.
30 days · 15 minutes a day · done together
Quick answer
Preparing for our marriage is a 30-day journey of about 15 minutes a day to work together on one concrete area: preparing for marriage. Each day brings a short reflection, a guided conversation and a small practice. You start it when you need it, each at your own pace, and whoever starts it can invite their spouse to walk it together.
Who this journey is for
- You are getting married and have discussed the wedding more than the marriage.
- Some topics keep getting postponed to avoid arguing before the date.
- You want a structured path, not a list of tips.
If none of this sounds like you, another journey probably fits better. The free assessment points to it in five minutes.
What you will learn
- To put the numbers on the table without drama.
- To discuss kids, roles and faith concretely.
- To define boundaries with both families before the wedding.
- To name the expectations each of you takes for granted.
What each day looks like
A short reading
About what is happening, without blaming either of you.
A guided conversation
One concrete question, with a way of asking it that does not end in a fight.
A practice
Something small to do that same day. This is the part that changes something.
At your pace, and together if you want
Each of you marks your own days. If you invite your spouse, you both see each other’s progress.
The daily content of each journey is written by the 3CORD pastoral team.
This is day 1
More than a wedding
Look beyond the wedding day toward the marriage you want to build. · Genesis 2:18-24
In the creation account, God sees that it isn't good for the man to be alone and makes him a suitable companion. When the man sees her, he recognizes her with joy. And the text concludes with the design of marriage: leaving, cleaving and becoming one flesh.
Marriage wasn't a human invention or a social custom. It was God's idea from the beginning. And His design is profound: a lifelong union of two people who become a new unit.
In the midst of preparations, the wedding can easily take all the attention. Decisions about the celebration are many and urgent. But the wedding is only the entrance. What really matters is what comes after: years of living together, decisions, crises, joys, growing together.
Today you'll pause to look beyond the wedding. What marriage do you want to build? Why do you want to marry? What do you dream of ten, twenty or forty years from now? Having that vision clear will give you direction for everything ahead.
To practice today
- Each of you write three reasons you want to marry the other.
- Each of you describe how you imagine your marriage ten years from now: how you treat each other, what you do together, which values guide you.
- Share your answers and look for what you have in common.
To talk about
- How much time do we spend preparing the wedding and how much preparing the marriage?
- What excites you most about marriage?
- What scares you?
To pray
Lord, thank You for the gift of marriage, which was Your idea from the beginning. Help us prepare not just for a wedding, but for a life together. Give us a clear vision of the marriage You want for us. Amen.
Scripture is given by reference and paraphrased. Days 2 to 30 continue in the app, with Premium.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Preparing for our marriage journey?
30 days, at about 15 minutes a day. You can pause and pick it up again: progress counts completed days, not calendar days, so a break does not force you to start over.
Do we both have to do it at the same time?
No. Each of you keeps your own progress and can open whichever day you need. Whoever starts the journey can invite their spouse from the app; if they join, each sees the days the other has done. And if your spouse is not ready yet, you can walk it alone.
Do I need to pay to start?
No. Day 1 of every journey is always free. To keep going, the app has a 7-day free trial with no card, and if one spouse subscribes, the other has access too.
What if halfway through we realize we need professional help?
That is a good sign, not a failure of the journey. These journeys accompany and practice; they do not replace counseling or therapy. The healthy move is to do both.
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3CORD offers faith-based support and educational content. It is not therapy, clinical counseling, or medical, psychological, legal or financial advice.