Preparing for marriage is exciting and many women dream of that special day when they finally marry the man of their dreams. You know, the one where all of the attention is on her in that gorgeous white dress. The flowers, the decorations, and the fancy cars are there, and let’s not forget, her Prince Charming. However, the perfect wedding doesn’t mean women will breeze through married life. Read on to learn how to prepare for marriage and be a great wife!
Preparing for Marriage | Tips for the Future Wife
In this article:
- How Women See The Wedding Day
- The Reality of A Marriage Life
- 10 Wifely Tips Every Single Woman Should Learn
How Women See the Wedding Day
Most women have an idea of what age they’ll be when Mr. Right asks her for her hand in marriage. She has the colors picked out, the ideal season, the wedding party, and even the guest list! To many women, the wedding day is the turning point in her life that will lead to her happily ever after. Many of us have focused (let’s be honest) so much time and thought on the wedding and the marriage. But, we have never spent enough time and energy on the most important part — preparing for marriage to become the wife you should be!
The Reality of Married Life
I, too, used to get excited about getting married, having a family, and living the fairy tale princess life. But then, it happened; reality hit me smack in the face. I started paying attention to women who were already wives and quickly noticed that marriage takes work! I’m talking about 24/7/365 work! The great thing about the marital covenant is when you give it your all, you can live “happily ever after!”
10 Wifely Tips Every Single Woman Should Learn
As a woman involved in a courtship, I’ve obtained the counsel of women who have been married for 10+ years. I asked two questions I believe will help me prepare to be the best wife I can be. The first question is, “What are some things you wish you would have done to prepare for marriage differently?” The other question is, “What advice would you give that would help me to be the wife that God calls women to be?”
I have received great wisdom and advice from Godly women who have been married for close to 40 years! I’d like to share that advice with the single women who are also preparing for marriage.
1. Develop an Intimate Relationship with God
You can’t enter into a successful covenant with a husband if you don’t have one with God first. Seek biblical wisdom, study the word, develop a life of prayer, and be dedicated to living for God. This will strengthen the marriage covenant when God allows you to walk into that season. A three-cord strand is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
2. Master the Art of Fidelity and Trust
No man wants a woman who can’t be faithful nor one who turns her neck at every fine man she sees. Learn to be 100% committed prior to a serious courtship. Be happy with what God has blessed you with and cultivate your relationship. It’s also important to be a woman of your word. If you promise to do something, be sure to do it!
3. Develop the Ability to Take Care of a Home
Ladies, to be a great partner in marriage, we must bring the ability to emotionally and physically take care of the house. Learn to set an atmosphere of peace and love. Avoid quarrels when possible. Practice gentleness with others that cross your path.
4. Learn How to Cook!
My mother once told me that a woman who can’t cook is not cute! We know that men like to eat. Let’s be serious here — we all need to eat to live. Eating out all of the time can become expensive, and who doesn’t love a home-cooked meal from time to time? If you cannot do anything beyond boil water, invest in a cookbook. Try one new meal a week, and you’ll quickly improve your cooking skills.
5. Make Smart Financial Decisions
If you desire to marry a man who provides and makes the best decisions for his family, you need to do the same. Smart men don’t want to marry a woman who spends way more than she saves. Work on your budget, and be sure to have an emergency fund that covers 3-6 months of expenses along with retirement savings. Preparing for tomorrow is important. The ability to manage money is important in marriage.
6. Be Complete as One
Be comfortable with not having a man this season. Learn to be happy on your own. Find joy in those things that make you happy. Love what you have, and don’t covet what others have. Spend time in your singleness doing the things you love to do. Travel, find hobbies, and do the things married women tell you that you won’t have time to do when you get married and then become a mother.
7. Learn the Art of Compromise
Marriage will be about give and take. While you’re single, learn that you don’t always have to be right, and accept most things won’t always happen your way. Be willing to sacrifice what you want for the benefit and happiness of others. Wives have to compromise many things. The earlier we learn to compromise, the better off we’ll be in a marriage.
8. Be Committed to Pursuing Your Dreams and Supporting Others
It’s important to have your own goals and motivations prior to becoming one with your future husband. The single season is a great opportunity to begin building your career or business or working towards other goals. Learn how to support family and friends in their endeavors as well. When you become a wife, you will have to support your husband’s dreams, possibly at the expense of yours. You must be okay with this level of sacrifice and compromise prior to committing to marriage.
9. Know What Submission Is and Be Ready to Walk in It
Many people shy away from this discussion. Submission is not equivalent to obedience. Submission is yielding in love. Study God’s design for marriage and understand the role of a wife. In your singleness, God is your husband. Submit yourself to Him. Trust His plan and timing for your life. Seek His guidance in all that you do. Practicing submission will now be the driving force behind it and will become second nature to you once you become a wife.
10. Be Holy and Feminine in Your Conduct
Always carry yourself as a classy woman who walks with confidence. Men want a woman they’re proud to take home to their families. They want a woman with high self-esteem, one who walks gracefully, and respects herself and others around her.
Let this infographic be your guide. Download it now and use it as a reference later.
Preparing for marriage is a complex process every single woman must understand. Single women should devote their attention to God, so they can become complete before they get married. Marriage is a sacred bond between God, a man and a woman. This is a great starting list to help single women prepare for a lifetime commitment.
Whether you are single or married, what other tips for becoming a wife can you add to the list above? Share them in the comments section!
Up Next: Preparing To Become A Husband – 10 Tips For Single Men
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on January 11, 2012, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Tanika Jones is a marketing professional, aspiring Christian author, and a student at Rhema Correspondence Bible School. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Armed Magazine, a Christian magazine created to “Spiritually Equip You for Victory in Battle.”