Short answer
Families should discuss important matters that can affect married life, while allowing the prospective spouses to understand each other directly.
Islamic Guidance
What Islam teaches
Marriage involves mutual rights and responsibilities. Consultation and honesty before marriage can help prevent misunderstandings later.
Practical Guidance
What you can consider
Discuss residence, career, education, finances, family responsibilities, children, religious practice and major expectations before accepting a proposal.
Sources
Qur'an 4:19; Qur'an 5:1.