Ready to Wed: 12 Ways to Start a Marriage You'll Love

I purchased this book as an aid for providing premarital counseling for a couple before I conducted their wedding ceremony. I was so impressed with it, that I gifted it to the couple (they were thrilled!) and bought another copy for future use. Highly recommend!

I am soon to be married and four month and my fiancé and I started to read Ready to Wed until our premarital counseling starts. I hope this review is helpfulReady to Wed does well by way of giving men and women insight about what they opposite sex thinks, feels and value in the context of marriage. Understanding each other is key to any relationship because from this insight flows an appreciation for how God has made the genders. Though many of insights tend to be on presumptions end they provide a practical format and tools to discuss such as personalities differences and expectations. In a positive way, the authors are persistent to communicate how quickly positive attributes in dating can transform into negative attributes after living together in a short time. In that way it has helped us stay on guard against the tendency we humans have to see positive attributes as negatives one. Such can destroy communication. I can see this book being really valuable in helping couples who are caught in the emotions of marriage and the thought go the honeymoon and yet unintentionally avoid deep discussions. On the other side I wish the book did better to emphasize the importance of preaching the gospel to ourselves and to each other in light of the insight we gain. The authors make attempts at referencing scriptures that remind us of what the Bible says but preaching the Gospel to ourselves when we are insecure, mad and are uncertain what to do with sudden negative emotions we experience should be our first response, rather than "think positive thoughts about our spouse" like the authors suggests. I know that they means well and will undoubtedly agree to this suggestion but this "think positive thoughts" and other exercises at times causes me concern that couples think that by doing all these questions, charts and tests that they will get it "right"the first time. Just as a caution to readers anywhere: Over obsessing about how to handle conflict, over analyzing personality differences, labeling people often causes more conflict. I'd like to suggest repentance and confession as a form of dealign with the above; take your eyes off yourself and off your spouse and pay attention to Jesus he guides us to all understanding

This is a really terrific book on getting ready for marriage. I heard the authors on the radio and said I have to get their book. I bought it for a family member who just got engaged and felt like I had to read it myself first before recommending it. I read it and it was better than the radio interview had indicated. I learned about myself and my marriage. The ironic thing is that I have been married for 31 years. I am not a young engaged man and it still had much insight for me. This book would make a great tool for premarital counseling as it covers, insightfully, all of the topics that a young man and woman should consider. I wouldn't recommend any couple go without premarital counseling of a pastor or professional, but I plan to send this as a help to my family member who will likely be away from his fiance for much of their engagement and unable to meet with a counselor in person.

My fiance had heard about this book when I was deployed and going through our first deployment as a couple (second deployment overseas for me). She was told about this book from another couple at the church we attend together and we both got the book and started reading it and discussing the chapters each week or when I could. We both loved the advice and the topics the book had listed and talked about. We both had learned from it and will do our best to implement the teachings that each chapter talked and keep our already healthy habits of praying together over food and before bed. If you and your future spouse are looking for a good book to read for premarital counseling, this is a good one to get and read.

This book is fantastic. I purchased one for my daughter, and it went over so well that I purchased a couple more copies,, one for her fiancé, and one for another friend who is engaged. The chapters will hold your interest,,, they are funny in parts, to the point,,, give you lots of suggestions andtips you can use, and there are assessments you can go online and take as well, to pinpoint areas you are strong in and areas you need to grow in.If your fiancé is nearby,,, one book should be sufficient, but two copies would be great if you will end up reading the book separately.

My fiancé & I started reading this books right after we got engaged and it has been so helpful in getting some conversations about the future going. We also have marriage counseling through my church, and the content of this books goes right along with what we're discussing. I appreciate the transparency in many of he chapters, as well as the practical tips and advice. The questions following each chapter are a great way to ignite discussions and help you evaluate where you are and where you want to be as a couple.

Best thing you can do for your future marriage is read this book together. Find a mentoring couple and WOW! It completely transformed our relationship into a healthy thriving God loving marriage. We went into this book, believing we got our relationship on track, but boy were we wrong-- This book completely transformed how we communicate, how we love, listen etc. etc. it truly has been a blessing.

My fiancé and I are almost through this book and have loved it so far! The authors were not afraid to cover some of the harder topics all the while keeping each chapter interesting and interactive. The "time to talk" questions at the end of each chapter have facilitated key conversations and have brought laughter and joy as well. I would highly recommend this to any couple planning to be married!

I will be getting married in a few months and I learned even more from this book than from our marriage councelling sessions. The authors use lots of stories to illustrate their points. I felt that this provided me with good expectations going into marriage - expect that things won't always be perfect, we will argue, but that we can grow closer as a couple through it. It also provided great biblical perspective on marriage.

This is excellent reading for engaged and married couples. Gives real life examples and thought provoking suggestions