How does one prepare for marriage? This is a very broad question.
If youre talking about the physical things you will need to start your home start a
Hope chest. Start buying toaster, pillow & cases, dishes, pots & panes Etc
But more important than those things, is the Man G-d will brings to you.
First of all start by praying: Ask G-d for a G-dly man, a man that will lead you and your children in to the thing of G-d & deeper understanding of G-d & reading the word & prayer. Next start praying for your Children. That they will have the spirit of G-d from an early age, and keep with G-d, as they get older. And for a G-dly spouse for your children. And pray for your Grandchildren and for generations to come.
When it comes to making disunions about a husband Ask DAD and mom you have many years of wisdom at your fingertips. If you choose to listen and then do. Ask DAD & mom to pray and ask G-d for his wisdom to help guide them and you. And befor a decision is made to marry. You should pray and ask the L-rd if this is right, DAD & mom should pray and ask the L-rd if this is right, then your Rabbi [Pastor] should pray and ask if this is right. And if all are in agreement then it moves ahead.
The way I do courtship is like this: If a boy is interested in my Daughter, he comes to me; they are never allowed to be alone together, no kissing, and no driving off together. Its with a group or with a chaperone with them; they are never to be alone together. When the young man comes to me and asks if he can marry my daughter, I will ask him has he and his parents prayed about this. Then I will pray, then I will ask my wife to pray, then we will pray together, then we will go to my daughter and ask her to pray about this [this she would have done already I will just check with her] Now I will go to our Rabbi and ask him to pray. If all are in agreement then the date is set.
The dating thing as we know it today did not excess 100 years ago.
http://polynate.net/books/courtship/
Shalom.