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 (in partnership with her local pastors), a 6 week preliminary counseling program for engaged 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.