As a prelude to a large scale study of relationships, the Australian Institute of Family Studies recently conducted a small pilot study of marriage. Potential participants were drawn from respondents in the Australian Family Life Course Study who resided in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Ultimately, 30 respondents participated, comprising 22 married, five de facto, and three remarried respondents. Following a brief overview of some of the research literature on the topic of marital quality, this article provides an overview of the Marital Perspectives Study, and summarises responses to the following discussion topics: meaning of marriage; expectations of marriage; influences on expectations; perceptions of young people's expectations of marriage; perceptions of young people's attitudes towards marriage; keys to long-lasting marriages; ways of supporting marriages.