How Marriage Preparation Courses Help You Spot Relationship Red Flags

When you’re in a relationship, especially one that’s heading toward marriage, it’s easy to get swept up in love and excitement. But, sometimes, we overlook subtle signs that things aren’t as perfect as they seem. Relationship red flags are warning signs that can indicate deeper issues, and spotting them early can save you from heartbreak later on.

The good news? You don’t have to go through it alone, and identifying these red flags is something you can work on before your wedding day. A marriage preparation course can be a game-changer, helping you strengthen your bond and prepare for a lifetime of happiness together.

What Are Relationship Red Flags?

A red flag is a warning sign. It’s something that doesn’t feel quite right, but we might ignore it, hoping it’ll go away. In healthy relationships, couples communicate openly, set boundaries, and resolve conflicts together. However, when certain issues appear, they can be the start of bigger problems if not addressed.
Here are a few common red flags you might notice in your relationship, and how you can use a marriage preparation course to work through them.

1. Lack of Communication

Communication is the foundation of any relationship. If you and your partner struggle to talk openly, it’s a huge red flag. It might show up as avoiding tough conversations, not being able to express your needs, or even shouting instead of discussing things calmly.
Marriage preparation courses help couples develop healthy communication habits. They provide tools to express feelings and listen actively, which can be a life-saver for any couple.

2. Disrespect for Boundaries

Healthy relationships thrive on respect—especially when it comes to boundaries. If your partner ignores or dismisses your personal space, emotional needs, or physical boundaries, it’s time to pay attention. A relationship where one person doesn’t respect the other’s boundaries is not healthy.
In a marriage preparation course, you’ll learn how to set and respect boundaries. Understanding how to balance each other’s needs is key to building trust and connection.

3. Avoiding Conflict Resolution

Every relationship has disagreements. What matters is how you handle them. If one or both of you avoid conflict altogether or get stuck in unhealthy patterns of arguing, that’s a red flag. Some couples argue over small things but never address the big stuff, leaving unresolved issues to pile up.
A marriage preparation course teaches conflict resolution skills. You’ll gain strategies for dealing with difficult topics, finding solutions together, and strengthening your emotional connection.

4. Controlling Behaviour

Control in a relationship is never okay. It can look like one person making all the decisions, isolating the other from friends or family, or always trying to “fix” their partner. Over time, this behaviour erodes trust and creates resentment.
In marriage prep, you’ll learn how to support each other without controlling each other. A healthy marriage is about partnership and mutual respect. A marriage preparation course can help you develop this mindset from the start.

5. Trust Issues

Trust is everything in a marriage. If there’s a lack of trust, whether it’s because of jealousy, dishonesty, or cheating, it can damage the foundation of the relationship. Trust issues are often subtle at first, but they can cause deep emotional pain if not addressed.
A marriage preparation course can help you build trust in your relationship. By focusing on communication and transparency, you’ll develop the tools to work through any trust issues before they get worse.

6. Different Life Goals

If you and your partner are constantly disagreeing about your future together, this could be a sign of a bigger issue. While it’s normal to have some differences in a relationship, having completely opposing life goals—like differing views on children, career paths, or where to live—can create tension and uncertainty.
One of the best parts of a marriage preparation course is that it encourages you to talk about your future together. Discussing your life goals early on can ensure that you’re both on the same page, which will make for a stronger, more cohesive marriage.

7. Financial Struggles

Money is one of the leading causes of stress in relationships. If you and your partner have different views on money, this can lead to arguments and resentment. Whether it’s about spending habits, saving, or managing debt, financial issues need to be dealt with before they affect your relationship.
Marriage prep courses often include a focus on money matters. Learning how to manage finances together and set financial goals as a couple is a crucial part of preparing for marriage.

8. Emotional Manipulation

Emotional manipulation is a form of control that can look like guilt-tripping, gaslighting, or making the other person feel responsible for everything. If you feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells or that your feelings don’t matter, these are serious signs of emotional manipulation.
In a marriage preparation course, you’ll learn how to foster a healthy, supportive relationship. Emotional manipulation is never okay, and learning how to deal with it is vital for both partners’ well-being.

9. Unresolved Past Issues

If one or both of you are carrying emotional baggage from past relationships or childhood, it can affect your marriage. These unresolved issues can manifest as insecurities, jealousy, or a lack of trust.
A marriage preparation course can provide tools for addressing past traumas and emotional wounds. It encourages couples to face difficult emotions together and work through them as a team.

10. Lack of Appreciation

Feeling unappreciated in a relationship can lead to feelings of resentment and frustration. If you and your partner take each other for granted, it’s time to reevaluate how you express gratitude and love toward each other.
One of the key elements of a marriage preparation course is learning how to nurture and appreciate each other. Small gestures of love and gratitude go a long way in keeping a relationship strong.

A Word on Abusive Relationships

If you’re experiencing any form of abuse—whether emotional, physical, or psychological—this is a red flag that cannot be ignored. Abuse is never acceptable, and a marriage preparation course will not fix or change abusive behaviour. If you are in an abusive relationship, it’s important to seek professional help immediately. Please reach out to a counsellor, therapist or DV Connect. 

Why a Marriage Preparation Course is Worth It

The good news is that it’s never too late to start working on these red flags. A marriage preparation course helps you develop the skills and tools you need to navigate challenges and build a solid foundation for your marriage. Whether it’s strengthening your communication, understanding your partner’s needs, or planning for your future together, marriage prep helps you start your life together with intention and clarity.

Taking the time to invest in your relationship before your wedding can prevent many of these red flags from becoming major issues later. It’s not about fixing problems, but about preparing for the challenges every couple faces.
If you want a deeper connection, better communication, and a stronger partnership as you approach your wedding day, a marriage preparation course could be the best decision you make. It’s not just about saying “I do”—it’s about knowing how to handle life together as a team. And if you are looking to get married for the second or third time, check out my blog about how to best prepare for that here. 

Ready to start preparing for a lifetime of love and partnership? Click here to learn more about my marriage preparation course and how it can help you and your partner build the foundation for a strong, healthy marriage.