The Big Decision: How Do I Know?

In the excitement of being in love it can be hard to think straight and make sensible choices. You may have trouble deciding if it's right to tie the knot.

Here are some questions for you to think about. They're just a guide to help you listen to your heart, listen to your head, and feel sure about your decision.

Are you sure you're not just infatuated? When you're in love, you tend to turn a blind eye to the flaws in your partner's personality. Make sure you are basing your decision to get married on a deeper understanding of your lover or partner.

How well do you know your partner? Have you seen them in their own family, with their own friends? How do they behave with your group of pals? Do they mingle and mix well? This will help you suss if your partner is comfortable with people and can make a place for themselves, in keeping with their own personality.

Are you good friends as well as being lovers? Are you compatible with each other on different levels - sexually, emotionally and intellectually? Great sex can't keep your marriage alive forever. Both of you need to share an emotional bond with each other too.

How well do you communicate with your partner? Do you think the two of you can solve all problems by talking it through? Do you find it easy to talk to your partner without fear of offending them or being judged? Are you able to talk openly and honestly about tricky issues you might disagree about? Are you able to resolve conflicts peacefully and amicably?

Do you have a lot of respect for your partner? Can you say that you love and admire them for the person they are? What qualities do you like in your could-be life partner? Make a list.

Do you love and admire them as the person they are, not the person you want them to be? Do you find yourself constantly correcting them, or trying to 'improve' them?

Do you share the same expectations of the wedding? Do you expect a grand affair, while they're imagining a simple ceremony? Is there any expectation of dowry or bride price? Does this square with your politics?

Are you both comfortable with each other's career prospects? Have you discussed your career options and ambitions with each other? Does this fit in with your own plans for yourself? If the two of you are keen on pursuing your own careers, have you discussed household roles and responsibilities?

Have you and your partner discussed living arrangements after marriage? Will you be sharing a house with your partner's family? If so, how does that make you feel? Do you have any objections to that? Do you think this arrangement will help your relationship blossom or could it get stifling? Have you discussed this with your partner?

Have you discussed whether or not you will have children? This needs a detailed discussion. If you decide to wait a while before having children, what will happen if you do get pregnant early in your marriage? Would you have the baby? Or would you consider an abortion? Would your partner support that decision?

Do you both share similar values? Have you ever had arguments on matters that you feel strongly about? Do your views match on topics like women's rights, sexual harassment, abortion, adoption, other religious communities, tribes or homosexuality?

What is your partner's relationship with money? Are the two of you totally compatible on this issue? How does your partner behave when it comes to spending? Do you tend to find them too tight-fisted or too extravagant? Can you discuss money openly? Will you be sharing a bank account or manage and keep finances independent? Are you expected to share in the family's expenses, and if so, how much? Will one of you be dependent on the other, and are you happy about that?