3 to 12 months before the weddingGuideline
Talk through the big questions
Children, money, careers, in-laws and chores. Before the wedding, not after.
Why It Matters (Clinical Guidance)
- Couples who agree on these early fight less about them later.
- An unfair split of housework after children predicts lower happiness, especially for women.
- Any dowry demand, even an indirect one, is a red flag and an offence.
Two Approved Approaches
Option A: Talk at home
Two relaxed evenings, phones away.
Option B: With a counsellor
One guided session with a trained couples counsellor.
Primary Citation: Couple research (Gottman; PREPARE/ENRICH)
Last checked: October 2026 • Medical review panel forming