Who is it for?

• Are you engaged or seriously considering marriage?
• Do you want to have the best possible start to your marriage?

If you answered yes to these questions then The Marriage Preparation Course is for you.

The Marriage Preparation Course is for any engaged couple who wants to give their marriage the best possible start. It doesn't matter how long you have been engaged - some couples have set a wedding date, while others have not. Or if you have been living together and would like to explore the idea of getting married, or if one or both of you have been married before.

Whilst the course is based on Christian principles, it is designed for all couples with or without a church background. You do not need to be getting married in a church to come on the course.

What can I expect on the course?

The course takes place over five evenings. A typical evening starts at 7pm and finishes by 9.45pm. Each session includes:

Fantastic atmosphere that many say feels like a date night. Courses are run in all kinds of venues – homes, restaurants, cafes (after hours), community halls, churches, even a cruise ship - but wherever your local course is run you should find a great atmosphere and a friendly welcome.

A meal - you will probably sit together with two other engaged couples and a married couple known as a ‘support couple’ (they will be your hosts for the course). You can chat to the others or just use the time to talk to each other. At no time on the course will you have to disclose anything personal to anyone else.

Practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD. They include filmed clips of couples talking about their own experiences of marriage.

Coffee and discussion time as a couple. You will be given opportunities to discuss the topics with your fiancé(e). Music is played so you can’t hear couples and they can’t hear you!

No group work, so relax - you will not have to share anything about your relationship with anyone else.

Homework - at the end of each session you are given some homework to do together. This will help you to build on what you have learnt and give you the opportunity to apply it to your relationship. Don't worry - it won't be marked! It isn't looked at by anyone else and is just for your own benefit.

Support couples

You will be introduced to your support couple on the first evening. They will be a couple who have been married for at least two years. If the course you are attending is using the FOCCUS questionnaire, they will invite you to a meal at their home where you will have the opportunity to talk through any issues that have been raised by the course or through the questionnaire. Again, this is by no means compulsory but has been greatly appreciated by many couples.

What is the cost?

The cost of the course will vary at different venues. A basic charge is made to cover the cost of the meals and materials. Please check with your local course to find out what they charge.