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Getting married

The tests, talks and paperwork that are easiest before the wedding, and the money and legal steps right after it.

21 evidence-backed steps • 3 easy steps pre-ticked
Getting married
Do These 5 First

Highest-Priority Actions for Getting married

If you only do five things in this stage, do these.

Before engagement, or as early as you canStrong researchWith your doctorWindow closes soon

Thalassaemia and sickle cell test for both

One blood test each (CBC + HPLC). Best done before the families fix the match.

Source: ICMR; National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
Details
2 to 12 months before the weddingGuidelineWith your doctorWindow closes soon

Rubella protection for the bride

A blood test, or an MR vaccine. Then wait 1 month before pregnancy.

Source: WHO; MoHFW
Details
Now. Years before a baby, if you canGuidelineMoney stepWindow closes soon

Get health insurance with maternity cover

Buy early. Maternity cover has a waiting period.

Source: IRDAI Insurance Products Regulations 2024
Details
The wedding week and the month afterGuidelineLegal step

Keep a signed list of wedding gifts

Each gift, its value and who gave it. Signed by bride and groom.

Source: Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of Lists of Presents) Rules, 1985
Details
When you start planning a babyStrong researchWith your doctorWindow closes soon

Start folic acid before trying for a baby

400 µg a day, from at least 1 month before trying.

Source: WHO; MRC Vitamin Study 1991
Details
Complete Checklist (21 Steps)

Every Step by Timeline Order

3 to 12 months before the weddingGuideline

Talk through the big questions

Children, money, careers, in-laws and chores. Before the wedding, not after.

Source: Couple research (Gottman; PREPARE/ENRICH)
Details
Before engagement, or as early as you canStrong researchWith your doctorWindow closes soon

Thalassaemia and sickle cell test for both

One blood test each (CBC + HPLC). Best done before the families fix the match.

Source: ICMR; National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
Details
Before the weddingGuideline

Know both your blood groups

Including Rh positive or negative.

Source: FOGSI and MoHFW antenatal guidance
Details
2 to 12 months before the weddingGuidelineWith your doctor

Infection check for both

HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis.

Source: MoHFW; WHO
Details
Before the weddingGuideline

Check sugar, thyroid and blood pressure

HbA1c, TSH, BP and weight, for both.

Source: FOGSI preconception care
Details
2 to 12 months before the weddingGuidelineWith your doctorWindow closes soon

Rubella protection for the bride

A blood test, or an MR vaccine. Then wait 1 month before pregnancy.

Source: WHO; MoHFW
Details
Before the weddingGuidelineWith your doctor

Catch up on hepatitis B and HPV vaccines

For whoever has not had them.

Source: IAP; WHO
Details
3 to 12 months before the weddingStrong researchWith your doctor

Genetic counselling, if it applies

If you are related by blood, or a condition runs in the family.

Source: ICMR genetics guidance
Details
Now. Years before a baby, if you canGuidelineMoney stepWindow closes soon

Get health insurance with maternity cover

Buy early. Maternity cover has a waiting period.

Source: IRDAI Insurance Products Regulations 2024
Details
2 weeks to 10 months before the weddingStrong research

Do a pre-marriage course together

4 to 8 short sessions on talking and solving problems.

Source: PREP and PREPARE/ENRICH trials
Details
4 to 10 months before the weddingCommon practiceMoney step

Fix one wedding budget

One total, plus a 10% buffer. No wedding loans.

Source: Common financial-planning advice
Details
Around the weddingGuideline

Decide when to plan a baby

Agree on timing. Use contraception you both trust until then.

Source: WHO family planning guidance
Details
The wedding week and the month afterGuidelineLegal step

Keep a signed list of wedding gifts

Each gift, its value and who gave it. Signed by bride and groom.

Source: Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of Lists of Presents) Rules, 1985
Details
Within 2 months after the weddingGuidelineLegal step

Register your marriage

Under your state's rules. Keep the certificate with your documents.

Source: Hindu Marriage Act s.8; Special Marriage Act 1954
Details
First 3 months of marriageGuideline

Learn one way to repair after a fight

Take a 20-minute break when angry, then start gently.

Source: Gottman couple research
Details
Within 6 months after the weddingCommon practiceMoney step

Term life cover for each earner

Pure term insurance, about 10 to 15 times yearly income.

Source: Common financial-planning advice
Details
First year of marriageCommon practiceMoney step

Build an emergency fund

6 months of essential costs. 12 if income is irregular.

Source: Common financial-planning advice
Details
1 to 4 months after the weddingGuidelineLegal step

Update IDs and nominees

Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank, EPF and insurance nominees.

Source: UIDAI; bank and EPFO rules
Details
When you start planning a babyStrong researchWith your doctorWindow closes soon

Start folic acid before trying for a baby

400 µg a day, from at least 1 month before trying.

Source: WHO; MRC Vitamin Study 1991
Details
3 months before trying for a babyStrong research

For the groom: get ready 3 months ahead

Stop tobacco, cut alcohol, avoid heat and steroids.

Source: WHO; andrology guidance
Details
In the first yearGuidelineLegal step

Make simple wills, both of you

Two witnesses. Registration is optional.

Source: Indian Succession Act, 1925
Details
Traditional Practices Checked

What Elders Suggest vs What Medicine Says

We honor caring tradition while keeping mothers and children medically safe.

Kundli matching

Traditional / Neutral

Culturally meaningful. It tells you nothing about health, so pair it with a blood test.

Myths Debunked

Common Misconceptions in Getting married

Myth: “Kundli matching tells you about health.”
Medical Truth: Only a blood test can show if you both carry thalassaemia or sickle cell.
Source: Medical review & clinical guidelines
Myth: “Rh negative girls should not marry Rh positive boys.”
Medical Truth: An anti-D injection in pregnancy manages it. It is not a reason to avoid a marriage.
Source: Medical review & clinical guidelines
Myth: “Insurance can wait until pregnancy.”
Medical Truth: Maternity cover has waiting periods of 9 months to 4 years.
Source: Medical review & clinical guidelines

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