Premarital Counseling
Premarital Counseling
In 2022, the average cost of a wedding was $29,195 according to the Wedding Report.
We all remember the commercial about priorities. In our case, it would go like this:
Cost of wedding dress: $1500
Venue Cost $10,000
Flowers $2,500
Marriage Preparation: PRICELESS!
So, how many people actually attend counseling prior to marriage?
While the numbers vary somewhat, most research indicates around 40% (mostly religious) couples attend some type of premarital counseling.
What does the research say?
A classic 2003 study in the journal Family Relations found a 30% increase in marital satisfaction for couples who completed premarital counseling compared to those that do not.
According to Les and Leslie Parrott, founders of the SYMBIS marriage assessment:
- 76% of married couples say they wish they had pre-marriage education.
- Couples who do not receive pre-marriage education are more likely to see their problems as atypical and unsolvable.
- 41% of divorced couples say lack of pre-marriage preparation contributed to their divorce.
Melanie’s Experience, Training and Studies:
One of Melanie’s biggest passions is helping engaged couples identify their core values surrounding numerous topics vital to the success of their future marriage.
Her training includes:
- SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) Facilitator
- Student of Everett’s Worthington’s Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling and REACH Forgiveness program
- Creator of The Marriage Readiness Experience (developed in collaboration with local pastors), a 6 weeks, with flexibility to extend based on topics that arise, preliminary counseling program for engaged couples.
The Marriage Readiness Experience
Preparing for marriage is one of the most meaningful investments an engaged couple can make. The Marriage Readiness Experience is a structured premarital program — typically six weeks, with flexibility to extend based on the topics that arise — designed to help couples build a strong, God-centered foundation before they say “I do.”
Each session integrates the SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) assessment with guided reading from Tim Keller’s The Meaning of Marriage, exploring topics including the purpose of marriage, heart beliefs shaped by your story, love languages, communication, finances, conflict, and forgiveness.
This program is also available for married couples seeking to deepen their connection, offered as the Marriage Enrichment Experience.
Format: Virtual sessions | Engaged or married couples
Melanie’s Areas of Specialization:
- Communication issues
- Conflict resolution
- Financial concerns
- Addressing “red flag” issues
- Covenantal marriage
My Family Counselor:
Offering heart-centered, biblical, evidence-based treatment.
Transformation is our privilege and our passion.
Reach out today for a complimentary insight call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Counseling:
How can an individual best prepare themselves for premarital counseling (and ultimately to saying “I do”?)
Many things will be discussed during premarital counseling. At MFC, the following are some of the topics individuals should be prepared to discuss:
- Individual strengths and weaknesses and impact on relationship
- Alignment of individual’s core values
- Past relationships and their effect on one’s core beliefs
- Financial, emotional, physical and spiritual intimacy and integrity
So, how long should couples spend in premarital counseling?
Most engaged couples spend 6 to 18 months preparing for the wedding day yet as many as 60% of them do not participate in any type of premarital counseling.
Honestly, the best case scenario would be to devote at least 6 to 9 months meeting with a counselor prior to walking down the aisle together. At MFC, we understand that this is often more of an investment than couples choose to make. For that reason, MFC offers 6, 8, and 12 week options for their Marriage Readiness Experience curriculum. We are prepared to take whatever time the couple needs to prepare them for marriage.
What advice would you offer engaged couples?
The biggest advice I would offer to couples planning to marry would be to communicate about everything! It is always concerning when an engaged couple comes to counseling having barely touched on essential issues such as faith, finances, intimacy, or plans for future family. At MFC, we desire to help bridge this communication gap so couples have a better idea of what to expect.
Couples who complete the Marriage Readiness Experience may continue with Marriage Momentum, a 12–16 week program designed for the early years of marriage and beyond. Contact Melanie for details.