How to Get Married by The School of Life

Many of us are attracted to the idea of marriage and yet feel a bit uncomfortable with the rituals that are traditionally associated with the big day. Perhaps the old ceremonies place too much emphasis on the supernatural or else seem unattuned to the complex realities of contemporary relationships.

In response to this dilemma, we have rethought exactly what the ideal wedding day would consist of and redesigned the entire process for the use of modern couples (including those seeking to renew their vows).

How to Get Married begins by proposing new ways of preparing for a wedding at a psychological level, suggesting how couples should ready themselves for the often tricky journey ahead and how to think through some of the thorniest issues that beset love. The book then presents an entirely practical and thoughtfully redesigned wedding ceremony, from picking out a suitable venue to suggested vows and readings. Finally, the book offers some ideas for how to approach the start of married life.

How to Get Married is a bold rethinking of one of humankind’s most important and popular rituals.

The book includes a pull out wedding service booklet and an emotional prenuptial contract.

Example content:

‘To marry is to recognise that we require structure to insulate ourselves from our urges. It is to lock ourselves up willingly, because we acknowledge the benefits of the long term; the wisdom of the morning after the storm.’

‘Together we embrace a set of limitations on one kind of freedom – the freedom to run away – so as to protect and strengthen another kind of freedom: a shared ability to mature and create something of lasting value, one whose pains are aligned to our better selves.’

‘The main preparation we need for marriage is not practical, but philosophical. We need to understand ourselves, our partners, the institution of marriage and the nature of love.’

We also have a Wedding Director who can join you to perform our Wedding Ceremony. We also offer pre-marriage counselling and couples counselling for couples who wish to talk openly and honestly about their relationship whether in preparation for or during a marriage.