What is The Marriage Preparation Course?
The Marriage Preparation Course was developed in 1985 by Nicky and Sila Lee (authors of The Marriage Book) to help couples invest in their relationship for a lasting marriage.
Over five sessions, the course will help you to:
- Recognise the importance of commitment
- Understand and appreciate your differences
- Learn the art of communication
- Resolve conflict
- Spend time together
- Recognise the influence of your family background
- Develop a good sexual relationship
- Talk about your goals, values and dreams
Who is it for?
The Marriage Preparation Course is for any engaged couple planning to give their marriage the best possible start. The course is also for couples who would like to explore the idea of getting married, or for couples where one or both partners have been married previously.
The course is based on Christian principles but 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 Marriage Preparation Course, you and your partner are hosted by a married couple and seated near a few other engaged couples. Each couple’s privacy is respected as there is no group discussion and no requirement to disclose anything about your relationship to anyone else.
Each session consists of food and/or drink, a practical talk and a time for discussion between you and your partner. Background music ensures that you can chat in complete privacy. You will never be asked to share anything about your relationship with anyone other than your partner.
Prior to the start of the course or during the first few sessions, you may be sent a Couples Survey via email. This is a questionnaire and not a test of compatibility; it is designed to help you and your partner highlight issues that are important to discuss before getting married. It also affirms areas of strength in your relationship.
Watch the short video below to hear couples share their experience of the course: