Marriage isn’t just a romantic commitment. It’s a financial one, too. From shared expenses to long-term planning, tying the knot means your money is about to become a team sport. Yet many couples walk down the aisle having never discussed how they’ll manage debt, spending habits, or big money goals.
The truth is that money is one of the top sources of tension in a marriage. But it doesn’t have to be. Starting honest conversations and making strategic financial moves before you say “I do” can prevent conflict and help build a foundation of trust, transparency, and shared vision. If you’re engaged (or thinking about getting engaged), here are 10 important financial moves you and your partner should make before the wedding.
Have the Full Money Talk
One of the most important things you can do before marriage is to lay all your financial cards on the table. That includes income, savings, debts, credit scores, and even your attitudes about money. This isn’t a one-time conversation. It should be an ongoing dialogue, but it starts with honesty. Discuss what financial security looks like to each of you, and don’t shy away from past mistakes. Transparency now will prevent surprises later.
Check Each Other’s Credit Scores
Your partner’s credit score doesn’t merge with yours after marriage, but it does matter, especially if you plan to buy a home, lease a car, or take out a joint loan. Sit down and check your scores together. If one of you has poor credit, it may be wise to delay certain financial moves until you’ve had time to improve it. This also opens the door for conversations about financial responsibility and shared credit goals.
Understand Each Other’s Spending Styles
Are you a saver while your partner is a spender? Do you stick to budgets while they tend to impulse buy? Understanding each other’s money habits is key to navigating joint expenses. Talk through day-to-day spending habits and what financial boundaries you’re comfortable with. Creating mutual expectations before marriage helps you avoid the classic “Why did you spend $300 on shoes?” fight down the road.
Decide How You’ll Combine (or Not Combine) Finances
There’s no one right way to handle finances in a marriage. Some couples merge everything into one joint account, others keep individual accounts and split bills, and some do a hybrid of both. What matters is that you both agree on the system. Having this discussion ahead of time ensures that you’re aligned and that one person doesn’t feel like they’re losing financial autonomy or bearing more of the burden.
Create a Joint Budget
Before you officially combine households, start creating a joint monthly budget that reflects your future life together. Account for fixed expenses like rent or mortgage, groceries, insurance, and savings goals. Don’t forget fun money and unexpected costs. Building a budget before the wedding lets you practice managing money together and figure out how to handle shared responsibilities.
Discuss Wedding Costs and Expectations
Weddings can be a major financial strain, and disagreements about how much to spend can start your marriage off on the wrong foot. Sit down and have an honest conversation about how much you can realistically afford and who’s contributing. If parents are helping out, clarify expectations around that money. Aligning on your wedding budget isn’t just about the event. It’s about your shared values around money.
Make a Debt Management Plan
If either of you is bringing debt into the marriage, whether it’s student loans, credit card debt, or car payments, you need a plan. Decide whether you’ll pay off debt individually or together and how it will factor into your overall budget. Debt can be a major source of tension if it’s not addressed early, but working together on a payoff strategy can actually strengthen your partnership.
Set Shared Financial Goals
What does your financial future look like together? Do you want to buy a home? Travel? Start a family? Launch a business? Whatever your dreams are, align them with real numbers and timelines. Setting financial goals as a couple not only gives you direction but helps you stay motivated and accountable. Whether short-term or long-term, goal setting builds unity.
Talk About Life Insurance and Wills
This may not be the most romantic conversation, but it’s an important one. Once you’re legally bound to each other, your financial decisions affect each other in new ways. If one of you were to pass away unexpectedly, would the other be financially secure? Consider getting life insurance, drafting or updating wills, and naming each other as beneficiaries where appropriate. It’s a gesture of love and responsibility.
Schedule Regular Financial Check-ins
Establishing the habit of regular money check-ins before the wedding is one of the smartest things you can do. Set a date once a month to sit down, review your budget, track your goals, and talk about any upcoming expenses or financial concerns. Making this a normal part of your routine will keep you both on the same page and help you adapt when life throws you curveballs.
Marriage Is a Financial Partnership—Treat It Like One
Marriage brings a lot of joy but also a lot of shared responsibility. Being proactive about your financial life together doesn’t just protect your wallet. It protects your relationship. By being honest, intentional, and strategic with money from the very beginning, you can avoid common pitfalls and build a stronger, more united partnership. Don’t wait until after the wedding to talk about finances. Start now because the sooner you build financial trust, the sooner you can start building the life you want together.
Did you and your partner talk about finances before getting married? What move made the biggest difference, or what do you wish you’d done sooner?
Read More:
Recently Married? Consider These Estate Planning Tips
Getting Married? Here’s Why It’s Time to Create a Will
Riley Schnepf is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to pop culture, she’s written about everything under the sun. When she’s not writing, she’s spending her time outside, reading, or cuddling with her two corgis.
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