No one knows exactly what to expect when it comes to getting married. While plenty have assumptions, the reality is often one filled with unexpected scenarios and surprises of every variety. Only the future will tell for certain what your union will bring. Still, you can get an idea of what’s in store by looking over these details on what you should know when heading into marriage.

Your Spouse Will Irritate You

Does your significant other get on your nerves from time to time? When you spend a good chunk of your time with the same person, little quirks and character traits can start to grate. Sadly, marriage tends to exacerbate the frustration these pet peeves can bring out. The best advice is to let go of the small stuff. If something your partner does is truly problematic, you need to address it. For smaller irritations, accepting the traits as a part of your partner’s personality can usually be the more gratifying solution.  

Naturally, there will come times when it won’t be easy to accept or get over an annoyance you’re experiencing. When this occurs, you definitely want to verbalize the problem and come to a resolution with your spouse. Allowing an emotional wound to fester increases the odds of compounding the problem with other grievances you might have. The more these problems mount without being confronted, the more stress it puts on your relationship. Conflict resolution will look different for every couple, but it is a key aspect of nourishing a healthy marriage.

Your Marriage Will Involve a Lot of Negotiation

Most people have heard that “marriage involves compromise.” However, the truth is not so straightforward. Marriage is more like a series of negotiations. For two people to both feel content and have their needs met, both individuals need to be flexible and willing to concede when necessary. Of course, such negotiations are rarely going to feel like those conducted in a boardroom. From heated arguments about important decisions to late-night debates over pointless matters, learning how to best negotiate with your partner is key to the success of your marriage. 

What’s important to mention before you tie the knot is that certain things might be non-negotiable for some people. If you want to have children and your partner doesn’t, this is a topic that has to be addressed before you wed. Though important subjects tend to come up in a relationship before marriage enters the conversation, you should make conscious effort and ensure you’re on the same page.

You Need To Actively Spend Time Together

Spending time with a person and inhabiting the same space are two different experiences. After getting married, you’ll tend to occupy space more often than not with your partner. While this happens in all relationships to a degree, you must be mindful to actively spend time together as well. This means doing things together as a couple, whether that be tackling a home project or going out for drinks with friends. Regular “date nights” are popular with married couples nowadays, as it allows for the chance to break routine and commit to a scheduled romantic night. 

You’ll Have a Lot of Fun

While a lot of surprises about marriage can feel like downers, this isn’t the full picture. You should know that marriage is an adventure and one that looks different for each couple. As you grow your life together, you’ll have fun in new and unexpected ways. The shared experiences you live through and milestones you hit together will make for a journey unlike any you’ve taken yet.

Marriage might be full of twists and turns, but that’s part of the charm of the arrangement. The more you know about marriage and what to expect, the easier it is to feel prepared for whatever life throws at your relationship.