10 Must Ask Pre Marriage Questions

It is easy to get caught up in the romantic idea of marriage. Too often we think we will be swept off our feet, have the wedding of our dreams, possibly buy a home, maybe have children, and live happily ever after.

Rarely do couples think how will we handle unemployment? Who will take the trash out? Who's family will we see on the holidays? What will we do if we can't have kids? Even more alarmingly, many couples aren't even aware of basic information about each other: credit scores, criminal background records, health problems, the other person's middle name.

To ensure a happy and lasting marriage, it is crucial for couples who are interested in marrying to understand why they are getting married, what they expect of their marriage, and how they will work through the inevitable ups and downs of life that will test their commitment to each other. While several churches and other organizations offer pre-marital counseling to help couples understand if they have what it takes to survive marriage, many people are hesitant to do this because of the cost or it makes them feel uneasy or awkward.

If counseling is not your style, these must-ask-questions are a great way to get started before you get swept away in the planning of your wedding: