6 Things All Couples Should Do Before Getting Married

DeAnna Janes
Apr 09, 2016

They’re the J to your Bey, and you simply cannot wait for them to put a ring on it. But hold up – just because you finish each other’s sentences, you’ve got a million shared interests and they’ve seen the contents of your ahem drawer, doesn’t mean you’re necessarily ready to walk down the aisle. It’s one thing to make relationship resolutions, but here’s a list of must-dos — from silly to serious — before you say your “I dos.” Plus, we got Dr. Michelle Golland, a Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist and all-around love guru, to weigh in.

1. Exchange digits. As in, the passcode on your smartphone. You know everything there is to know about each other, right? Well, “everything” includes the contents of one’s most precious technological device. Dr. Golland says, “If your S.O. keeps passwords on his phone, isn’t willing to have the hard conversations needed to move to the next step or is more concerned about [his parents’] feelings or thoughts than yours around big issues,” then he’s not ready to get married.

2. Watch each other’s favorite TV shows. As much as it pains you to indulge in the caveman etiquette that is him hogging the remote control, just know that you’ll soon be queuing up My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, to which he will inevitably also become addicted. Compromise is an important lesson to learn before you tie the knot!

3. Bump heads. No one likes to argue, but occasional squabbles can be beneficial: They show that you are two people with differing opinions and viewpoints who are willing to share them. “Conflict is healthy and normal. Learning how to handle differences is critical. The worst scenario is when one partner believes being married means things are always good,” Dr. Golland says. Plus, if you didn’t fight, you couldn’t make up.

4. Explore “cheating.” The definition, that is. Trust is huge in marriage. And since cheating means different things to different people, it’s important to get on the same page. “Emotional infidelity is a relationship killer, as much as sexual infidelity. There shouldn’t be anything you say about your partner to someone else that you are not brave enough to say to your partner yourself,” Dr. Golland says.

5. Eat this, pass that! Let’s be honest, the quickest path to intimacy is via garlicky pasta, slurpy ramen, Mexican food and all of their… shall we say, aftereffects. “If you can’t pass gas in front of your partner or they won’t in front of you, then you have some work to do around letting go of ego and awkwardness and the need to be seen as perfect, which will be a killer to the relationship. Gas happens, and life gets messy and stinky at times!” Dr. Golland says.

6. See a shrink together. Even if you get along swimmingly, every couple can gain insight by chatting with a professional. “Every person should be willing to come in and talk to an expert about their relationship and how to communicate best with each other. To me, having a shrink or therapist who is your go-to person around emotional challenges is no different than having a good mechanic or chiropractor,” Dr. Golland says.

Got something to add to our must-dos? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!

(Photos via Getty)

Your Horoscope Says 3 Lucky Signs Will Have A Magical Week

We're officially one week into Scorpio season — are you feeling it? Is your intuition heightened? Are you super sensitive and a bit more introverted? It’s a good time to slow down, feel your feelings, and tap into the inner wisdom of your soul. Scorpio is often misinterpreted, perhaps because this season coincides with Halloween, the decreasing daylight in the northern hemisphere, or simply Scorpio’s intensity and power. A key word for Scorpio is transformation, which is never easy.

Think of the caterpillar’s metamorphosis — its time in the cramped and dark cocoon. That primordial, gooey existence is anything but comfortable. Transformation requires time, a willingness to experience discomfort, and patience before emerging as a beautiful butterfly.

Ajaila Walker

Scorpio is one of the healing signs in the zodiac, and while the Sun is in Scorpio, we can make great strides toward healing ourselves and helping others. There’s nothing superficial about Scorpio — it demands depth, wanting to uncover layers and expose what’s hiding. That’s why it’s a great time to focus on your inner world and subconscious mind. All forms of therapy are beneficial during Scorpio season, but psychotherapy is especially powerful if that's an option for you.

Eager to know what this transformational energy has to offer? Read on for your weekly horoscope to understand how this can impact your sun and rising sign!

​Astrological Overview For Your Weekly Horoscope

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The New Moon in Scorpio occurs on November 1 at 9 degrees of Scorpio. You'll want to check your birth chart to see where 9 degrees of Scorpio falls — this is the area of your life where you can experience transformation and growth. New Moons are powerful times to plant seeds for future growth, to dream and plan for the coming month. Take time to reflect on what truly matters during this period of darkness and inward focus.

Yuliia Tretynychenko

Mars, the planet of action and determination, has been opposite Pluto, the planet of transformation, for months. Both Mars and Pluto co-rule Scorpio, creating an intense and volatile energy. This opposition becomes exact again on November 3 and 4. Use this energy to propel yourself in a new direction and honor your true self. Strength and focus can harness this intensity for personal breakthroughs, but be cautious in making impulsive decisions during this time — on the global stage, tensions may rise, and there could be heightened aggression.

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Adding to this turbulent energy, Mercury, the planet of communication and learning, leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius on November 2. As Mercury exits Scorpio, it forms a beneficial trine to Mars and a sextile to Pluto. This is a powerful opportunity for words to contribute to healing, so take care in how you communicate. Be mindful of the power your words hold, especially as Sagittarius can be blunt and outspoken. While Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 9, focus on expanding your consciousness, learning new skills, and broadening your horizons.

Key Dates For Your Weekly Horoscope

Ashley Singerling

  • November 1 — New Moon in Scorpio
  • November 2 — Mercury enters Sagittarius
  • November 3-4 — Mars and Pluto opposition becomes exact

Read Your Horoscope Based on Your Sun and Rising Signs

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Aries (March 21 – April 20)

You’re being asked to dig deep into your subconscious this week. Keep your eyes and ears open for messages from dreams or moments of creativity. Meditation or solitude may reveal powerful realizations. If you feel the need to make a major life change, be sure your decisions come from the heart. You’re on the cusp of a creative breakthrough, but make sure your actions are driven by authenticity.

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Taurus (April 22 – May 21)

Relationships are in focus for you. This is a great week for couples therapy or deep, transformative conversations with your partner. Be willing to make changes that benefit your relationships, home, and career. Your sensitivity may be heightened, so incorporate self-care and self-love into any changes you make. Don’t shy away from this potential for growth — there’s tremendous opportunity for profound shifts.

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Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Good fortune and harmony are possible, but luck won’t just fall into your lap — you need to be proactive. This could show up in your relationships with others or in your relationship with yourself. Kindness, equality, and fairness are key to success. Be cautious around people exhibiting aggressive behavior. You’ll receive back what you give out, so practice kindness and ensure you’re approaching things with fairness and balance.

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Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

You prefer to avoid conflict, but this week you’ll have the chance to step out of your comfort zone. You don’t have to be confrontational, but a bit of assertiveness will help you move toward your goals. The seeds you plant during this New Moon will grow stronger if you add passion and creativity. Follow your intuition, especially when making important decisions. Your dreams need a touch of energy and action.

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Leo (July 23 – August 22)

The Mars-Pluto opposition has likely stirred up some drama in your life. Have you mustered the courage to start something new? If not, this week offers an opportunity to fully step into your authentic self and begin a new chapter. Don’t hold back, but be prepared for uncharted territory. Your relationships, particularly with yourself, may need a refresh. Self-love and self-care are essential as you embark on these transformations. You might even consider sprucing up your home or making a move.

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Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Career growth is in focus this week, but you’ll need to find a balance between your home life and work life. You may feel the urge to do more in both areas, but it’s crucial to stay grounded. Pay attention to details and avoid overindulgence. A balance between home and work will lead to the best results — be sure to tend to both areas without letting one consume the other.

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Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Your finances and values are the focus this week. Now is the perfect time to ensure your financial life is in order. Meet with a financial planner or make sure your will is up to date. This planning will give you peace of mind and reduce future stress. Once Mercury moves into Sagittarius on November 2, you’ll feel freer to have fun and pursue adventure, knowing that your financial security is taken care of.

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Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Your power and determination will only grow as the week progresses. Use this time to tap into your inner authority and work toward concrete goals. There’s likely to be movement in your career, but it won’t happen overnight. Patience and sustained effort are required. Cultivate joy and focus on long-term goals — there’s no rush, but steady progress will lead to great results.

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Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Mercury entering your sign on November 2 invites expansion and learning. If you’ve been waiting to start a new project, learn a new skill, or expand your understanding of the universe, now is the time. Subjects like spirituality and philosophy will be easier to grasp during this time. Be mindful, though — your blunt communication style could come off as caustic, so take a breath before you speak.

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Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Mental well-being should be a priority. Use this time to focus on learning and honing your skills. Your approach to life and work is inspiring to others. If you’ve been dealing with self-doubt, discard any negative self-talk and practice self-compassion. You have a natural ability to teach others, so don’t hesitate to share your knowledge with those who might be facing something similar to your experiences.

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Aquarius (January 20 – February 19)

This week focuses on your community and your relationship with like-minded people. Group learning and activities will be more impactful than solo efforts. Mercury in Sagittarius from November 2 will encourage you to learn through travel and adventure. Something exciting and transformative is on the horizon — seize the opportunity for growth through connection with others.

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Pisces (February 20 – March 21)

It’s time to focus on your physical health. The energy of this week will make it easier to start a health regimen and stick to it. While you may become more serious about your health, don’t push yourself too hard. Take small, steady steps to make lasting changes. As the week progresses, you’ll feel more confident and enthusiastic about these positive changes to your well-being.

Looking for a more thorough reading? Reach out to Tina at SevenSistersAstrology.com!

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Sophie Turner Finally Opens Up About Joe Jonas Divorce: “It Was Incredibly Sad”

It's clear that celebrity breakups aren't slowing down anytime soon, and Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's has been a heartbreaker for sure. Rumors about the couple's split began when TMZ reported that they were "heading" for divorce, and even though Joe posted a picture to his Instagram with his wedding band in full view on September 4, the couple later announced they're getting divorced. Here's everything we know about their relationship timeline from when they met to how they're both handling the post-divorce life.

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From their red carpet debut to their engagement, the couple has chosen exactly what they wanted to announce — and what they want to keep private. "I’m in a relationship, but it’s a very private relationship," Sophie told The Sunday Times.

"I'm very protective of the life we've built...You never want to market yourself as a celebrity couple. It's not that cool," she tellsElle UK. "And my daughter never asked for any of this. I know what it can do to your mental health to be in this industry, and to be photographed every day and have the comments. It's not something I want her to deal with unless she says, 'This is what I want to do.' We're quite strict about that."

"When we started dating, I realized that I didn't have a ton of stuff that was just for me," Joe told MR PORTER. "And in the end, it makes me a better person to have something for myself."

However, the singer's privacy is more about about his loved ones than himself. “You’re protecting your family, your friends and those around you,” Joe told Entertainment Tonight. “You wanna be really protective over how much you wanna share in your personal life, and I feel like as artists, we get the opportunity to express our heart through our music, and so that’s where I’m personal and honest as I can be.”

A Timeline Of Joe Jonas And Sophie Turner's Relationship

2016 — Joe Jonas Slid Into Sophie Turner's DMs

"We had a lot of mutual friends, and they’d been trying to introduce us for a long time," Sophie told Harper's Bazaar in 2019. "We were following each other on Instagram and he direct-messaged me one fine day, out of the blue."

This is actually super similar to how Nick Jonas made the first move on his wife Priyanka Chopra Jonas! After finally meeting IRL and realizing they liked each other, Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner became exclusive in private before deciding to take their relationship public.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

January 1, 2017 — Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner Go Instagram Official

Sophie posted a photo of Joe smoking a cigar on a boat to Instagram on January 1, 2017, with "Miami daze" as the caption.

"You do feel like you’re living in a fishbowl," she told Marie Claire UK about celebrity life later that summer. "It’s frustrating [that] it’s the most mundane things that make the news – how boring! There are really no other headlines?"

October 2017 — Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner Get Engaged

By the time fall 2017 rolled around, the couple was madly in love and announced that they were engaged with matching Instagram posts (his reads "She said yes," and hers reads, "I said yes.")

"I think once you’ve found the right person, you just know," she told Rolling Stonein 2019.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

May 2019 — Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner Get Married

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner got married in Las Vegas in May 2019. "We had to get legally married in the states, so we thought it'd be really fun to get all of our friends, invite them out, and do an impromptu wedding," Joe told GQ. "It kind of blew up in our faces because my parents called me the next morning and they were like, 'Did you just get married?' And I realized I told everybody, but I forgot to tell my parents."

June 2019 — Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner Get Married...Again!

However, it seems like Mr. and Mrs. Jonas were able to see the second round of nuptials, a more-private ceremony at the end of June 2019. The official ceremony took place at Le Château de Tourreau in Sarrians, France. Kevin and Nick Jonas were Joe's groomsmen, while Sophie's Game of Thrones costar (and BFF) Maisie Williams was her maid of honor.

July 2020 — Sophie Turner Gives Birth To Baby Willa

The internet was over the moon when Sophie was seen with a baby bump, and TMZ reported that the couple gave birth on July 22, 2020, before later revealing the baby's name is Willa.

"[They] are over the moon," a source told Entertainment Tonight at the end of July 2020. "The couple is already obsessed and can't stop gloating about their new addition. The couple is taking time to enjoy this special moment and have only shared the news and updates with family and friends."

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

July 2022 — Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner Have Baby No. 2

It's been a busy few years for both Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner. The Jonas Brothers released Happiness Begins in 2019, followed by this year's The Album, while Sophie starred in X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Staircase, and Do Revenge. But unknown to the rest of the world, they were also getting ready for baby number two!

Sophie showed up to the May 2022 Met Gala cradling a baby bump, and then made her official pregnancy announcement in an Elle UK feature the next day. "The greatest thing in life is seeing my daughter go from strength to strength," she says in the interview. "We're so excited to be expanding the family. It's the best blessing ever."

In July 2022, PEOPLE confirmed that the couple had welcomed their second daughter!

September 2023 — Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner Announce Their Divorce

TODAY received an exclusive petition saying Joe Jonas has filed for divorce from Sophie Turner, and that their marriage is "irretrievably broken." He also states that the divorce is in the best interest of their daughters, and that the couple will "have shared parental responsibility" moving forward.

On September 6, the couple shared joint statements to their Instagram accounts. "After four wonderful years of marriage we have mutually decided to amicably end our marriage," the statements read. "There are many speculative narratives as to why, but truly this is a united decision and we sincerely hope that everyone can respect our wishes for privacy for us and our children."

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner came to a new (temporary) agreement on where their kids would live after Sophie sued Joe for "wrongful retention" of their children in New York. According to new documentation, the two children will stay in New York, which both Joe and Sophie have consented to.

"After a productive and successful mediation, we have agreed that the children will spend time equally in loving homes in both the U.S. and the UK," Joe and Sophie said in a statement the week of October 11. Since the agreement legally lasts until January 7, the former couple will "jointly submit a status report letter" before December 23, according to the agreement.

On January 11, a new UK custody plan for Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner was approved, leading Sophie to drop last fall's wrongful retention claims on January 17 "with prejudice, and without attorneys’ fees, expenses, costs and/or disbursements awarded to either party."

Sophie Turner/Instagram

September 2024 — Sophie Turner Gets Real About Motherhood Following Joe Jonas Divorce

Sophie Turner opened up about her role as the titular character in Joan, a new TV series, and shared how art is imitating life. "If I hadn’t been a mother, I don’t know if I would have been able to bring the same energy that I did into it," she said (via The Sunday Times). Though she mentioned it's not easy being a "single mother," some people took what she said out of context.

She wasn't talking about herself, but her character Joan's efforts to do the unseemly to have her child back in her life. Still, she clarified her comments via her Instagram stories so there's no confusion about her words. IMO, I don't think she needed to do that because being a mother is hard. Caring for children isn't just about candid Paparazzi or social media posts. When you're doing it by yourself or with a support village, it takes time, effort, consistency, repetition, and so much more!

Luckily she and Joe Jonas are able to have a situation where they're co-parenting so they can alternate between working and caring for them.

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October 2024 — Sophie Turner Celebrates New Beau's Birthday...

There have been PLENTY of rumors about Sophie Turner and Peregrine Pearson lately, but she's been understandably tight-lipped about it all. It seems like she's ready to be more forward about her new boyfriend, though! On October 27, 2024, Sophie posted a birthday celebration for Peregrine on Instagram. She wrote, "Happy Birthday my angel pie 🥧🎉 30, flirty and thriving 🎈" alongside a carousel of adorable snaps throughout their relationship.

...And Makes Rare Comments On Divorce From Joe Jonas

On October 30, 2024, Sophie opened up to Harpers Bazaar about her divorce from Joe Jonas. “I’m going through a legal process right now where I can’t really say much, but it was incredibly sad," she said. "We had a beautiful relationship, and it was hard.”

Even though she described the relationship as "beautiful," she also explained that she felt like her life was "on pause" when she wasn't in England. She explained, "I just never really feel like myself when I’m not in London, with my friends and family. I was away for so long – six years – and it was when my friends were getting engaged, and when I got pregnant."

Now, after missing out on "key experiences" with her people, it's clear Sophie is more than happy to be back in London.

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This post has been updated.

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Melissa Barrera Is "A Changed Person" After 'Scream' Exit — Exclusive

Almost a year after her exit from the Scream franchise, Melissa Barrera is opening up about what the experience has taught her. In a conversation about her new movie Your Monster (in theaters now), Melissa exclusively told Brit + Co she feels like a whole different person than she was last year.

After posting about the Palestinian and Israeli conflict in November of 2023, Melissa was fired from Scream 7 (production company Spyglass later told Variety in a statement they believed her comments "[crossed] the line into hate speech.")

  • Melissa Barrera opens up about life after last year's Scream controversy.
  • She says she's "grateful" she "survived" the experience, "and that I'm stronger for it."
  • The actress also reveals she's focusing on how to make the industry and the world "better and safer for everyone."

Brownie Harris/Paramount Pictures

"I definitely feel like a changed person," the In The Heights actress tells B+C. "I definitely feel like my priorities are completely different than they were a year ago. I see the world through different eyes now, I see people through different eyes. I see the industry through different eyes, and I'm so grateful for that."

While the experience — and the fact the experience was so public — was difficult, Melissa says she's come out better on the other side. "I'm so grateful for everything that I went through, even though it was really hard, I'm so grateful that I lived it and that I survived it, and that I'm stronger for it," she continues. "And that I know I have a focus of what I wanna keep doing, not just for me and my career, but like, how can I contribute to the industry and to the world to make it better and safer for everyone?"

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The end of the year brings plenty of reflection, whether you're someone who thrives on journal prompts or you prefer to yap over a bottle of wine with your best friend. But a viral Sundance interview from January, in which Melissa Barrera says the experience with Spyglass started helping her "finally figure out who I'm supposed to be," proves she's been reflecting all year long.

"Everybody's kind of like thinking of like, 'What does the future hold? Like, how do we make it better?' And I have been thinking that for a year," she says. "There's people that have actually been on this journey for way longer, and it's them that we should be thanking for our world not being like over with right now, you know? They're the ones that continue to make changes for the better and to fight for better things for all of us."

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After Melissa Barrera's exit from Scream, news broke that Jenna Ortega wouldn't return for the seventh installment. Melissa called Jenna a "good egg" in a January interview with Rolling Stone, and gave Brit + Co some insight into that viral video of the onscreen sisters laughing during Scream 6 press.

"I was so sick during the whole press," she says. "We were laughing because I would start choking on my cough, so it was hilarious — or I would start laughing and it would make me cough and then I couldn't stop. So yeah, we were laughing a lot during that press run because I was sick as a dog."

Okay, I need these two in a sister comedy ASAP.

You can see Melissa Barrera in Your Monster now, and watch Scream and Scream 6 on Paramount+.

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