First of all, congrats! Or, should I say, condolences to your Pinterest boards, which have now transformed into a chaotic abyss of wedding dresses, floral arrangements, and DIY centerpieces you think you’ll have time to make. Also, a moment of silence for your inbox, now flooded with emails from venues you don’t even remember inquiring about.
Between dodging Aunt Karen’s “So, when’s the big day?” interrogation and perfecting your “OMG, totally surprised” engagement reaction for Instagram, there’s one tiny detail you might be overlooking, your actual relationship. You know, the thing that happens after the wedding hashtag retires? Yeah, that.
Before you get swept away in the land of monogrammed napkins and bachelorette party group chats, take a beat. A strong relationship is like a killer TikTok dance, it takes practice, coordination, and a little bit of embarrassing trial and error. So, let’s talk about 10 simple (and fun) exercises to strengthen your bond before you say I do!
1. The Great IKEA Test (a.k.a. DIY Couples Therapy)
You don’t really know your partner until you’ve tried to assemble a piece of IKEA furniture together. It’s the ultimate relationship boot camp: tiny screws, cryptic instructions, and the overwhelming realization that one of you has the patience of a saint, while the other is two minutes away from flipping a table. If you can survive assembling a MALM dresser together, you can survive anything.
2. Master the Art of Silent Communication (Through a Trip to Target)
Set a budget, enter Target, and try to leave without buying unnecessary things. Work on your silent couple telepathy, can you convey “No, we don’t need another candle” with just a glance? This is crucial practice for future Costco runs and resisting the siren call of seasonal decor.
3. Survive a Double Date With That Couple
We all know that couple. The one that overshares, bickers in public, and asks invasive questions like “So, how many kids do you guys want?” Think of this as a live-action case study on what not to do. Bonus points if you and your fiancé establish a safe word to escape gracefully.
4. Cook a Fancy Meal Together (and Try Not to Burn Down the Kitchen)
Forget takeout. Pick a recipe that requires actual effort (yes, more than microwaving leftovers), and make it together. Whether it’s homemade pasta or a five-course meal, teamwork is key. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek into how you both handle high-stakes situations, like realizing you forgot a crucial ingredient mid-recipe.
5. Get Lost (Literally) and Find Your Way Back
Go on a spontaneous road trip with minimal planning, just vibes and Google Maps. See how well you navigate unexpected detours and cranky “Why didn’t you turn back there?” moments. If you can make it through a road trip without a meltdown, you’re golden.
6. Have a Real Money Talk (Yes, Even If It’s Uncomfy)
I know, I know. Discussing finances isn’t sexy. But neither is finding out post-wedding that one of you thought “splurging on a fancy vacuum” was an investment, while the other prefers the “live with dust bunnies forever” approach. Get on the same page about budgeting, savings, and who’s really paying for that extra guac.
7. Watch a Terrible Reality Show and Predict the Drama
There’s nothing like bonding over mutual secondhand embarrassment. Find the most ridiculous reality dating show (looking at you, Love Is Blind), and make predictions about who will crash and burn. It’s entertaining and a great conversation starter about relationship red flags.
8. The “Trade Hobbies for a Day” Challenge
Each of you picks a personal hobby, and the other has to fully commit to it for a day. Whether it’s yoga, gaming, painting, or marathon-watching Star Wars, this exercise forces you to appreciate each other’s interests, even if you never, ever want to try them again.
9. The “One-Phone Date Night” Rule
Go out to dinner and only bring one phone. Yup, just one. No double-screening, no doom-scrolling, no Instagramming your meal before eating it (I know, tragic). It’s a simple test of whether you can enjoy each other’s company without technological distractions.
10. Write Each Other a Future “Oh Crap” Letter
Life isn’t always romantic sunset picnics. Sometimes it’s clogged sinks, bad haircuts, and existential crises over whether you should quit your job to “find yourself.” So, write each other letters for a future tough moment, reminding yourselves why you chose each other. It’ll be a much-needed dose of perspective when life gets messy.
The Final Takeaway: Love Is a Team Sport (With Occasional Side Quests)
Marriage isn’t about achieving Pinterest perfection. It’s about finding a person who will tolerate your weird quirks, remind you to take the laundry out of the washer, and still think you’re cute when you’re hangry.
So, before you pick the perfect Instagram caption for your engagement post, take a moment to build something even better, an unshakable bond with your future spouse.
And hey, if you’ve got any pre-wedding bonding stories (or IKEA horror tales), drop them in the comments. Let’s swap war stories!
Cheers to love, laughter, and hopefully not getting lost on your next road trip.