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Premarital Preparation   

See 2008 PREMIER BRIDE  magazine page 5, free from bridal services locations, for a great article on preparing your marriage to last:  Romance, Rice & Reality.   

Click here for 2 for 1 discount coupon for Bridal Showcase pdf

  • Romance, Rice and Reality:  Pre-Marital Preparation Class. This class is designed to help nearly and newly married couples develop skills for building a strong & more satisfying marriage. 
  • Romance, Rice and Reality  workshop  (PREP).  Also called Fighting for your Marriage.   Communication and Conflict Resolution Tools that work based on long term University of Denver Research (and Christian version has Biblical Foundations).  Great for marriage preparation or for enrichment: www.PREPinc.com For scheduled workshops or to schedule in your organization or church call  282-9763(ext17).  Link for more info and next workshop.    Research on why it works.
  • Pre-marriage training makes a difference:  Research report from Premarital Education, Marital Quality, and Marital Stability: Findings From a Large, Random Household Survey
  • Tips from our Relationship Coach and other bridal experts at http://www.bridesight.com/resources.asp 
  • Marriage Mentors using a Relationship Inventory (FOCCUS or PREPARE) couples with a good Marriage Skills Education (A Lasting Promise Workshop (PREP or C-PREP)) plus God as Third Partner are the basic elements that will make a marriage be full of joy and last a lifetime.  for those of you who will not have the opportunity to have the best preparation, LifeBranch Institute International has a web site with an inventory of topics to discuss with a potential mate.
  • PREPARE/ENRICH Relationship Inventory from Life Innovations; used as counseling or mentoring tool. Training for Clergy & Counselors is available from Bob Ruthazer, Marriage Builders Alliance 282-9763(13) or Dr Maurice Graham at Shepherd Staff: 327-0707. For churches using, see website.
  • FOCCUS/REFOCCUS Christian based Relationship Inventory from FamilyLife Office; used as counseling or mentoring tool. Training for Clergy, Counselors or Marriage mentors is availabl from Marriage Builders Alliance 282-9763(ext13).
  • Preparing Cohabiting Couples For Marriage Video Workshop for clergy & Mentors also from FOCCUS Inc.
  • VIPCare: Pastoral Counseling and Premarital and Marriage Workshops monthly. contact  VIPCare 282-8332 for dates.
  • Christian Marriage Formation. Catholic Premarital preparation.. Loraine Tracy Coordinator 358-3539
  • Engaged Encounter in Richmond area:  A Wedding is a day, a Marriage is for a lifetime http://www.richmondvacee.org/  
  • The First Dance is a program to look at Family Dynamics of Wedding planning.  FTF occasionally offers a FREE group class or you may purchase the DVD at www.TheFirstDance.com    
  • Wedding Stress Coaching is available at  www.WeddingStressCoaching.com
  • "Before I Do"    a Great Premarital preparation book for premarital preparation. can be used with mentors or stand alone. Biblical Christian Perspective.  www.FullMarriageExperience.com 
  • Growthtrac.com:  tools for enriching your marriage www.growthtrac.com 
  • PREPARE To Last:  New Group Program for Premarital & Newlywed Couples. www.preparetolast.com 
  • Book: The F Word: A Fiancee Shares Her Story From "I Will"  to "I Do" by Kelly BareFirst hand experiences gained while navigating the premarital minefield provide reassuring and helpful information to ease the journey. Bare and her fiancee attended THREE marriage education classes and she distills the wisdom of many Smart Marriages experts in a user-friendly, accessible format
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National Healthy Marriage Resource Center launched April 2006 www.healthymarriageinfo.org 

Articles & News

Does Premarital Education Make a Difference?

  • Nearly one-third (31%) of currently married individuals reported somesort of premarital education experience.
  • The percentage of individuals who received premarital education has increased from 22% in the 1960s, to 32% in the 1980s, and 44% in the recent period.
  • Premarital education is associated with roughly a 30% decline in the odds of divorce for the couple.
  • The amount of time a couple spends in premarital education positvely effects the couple's relationship. The longer a couple spent in premarital education (up to 10 hours, and 20 hours respectively), marital conflict decreased, and marital satisfaction increased.
  • Individuals who participated in premarital education reported a higher level of marital satisfaction then couples who did not participate in premarital education.
from "Premarital Education, Marital Quality, and Marital Stability: Findings From a Large, Random Household Survey" by Scott Stanley, Paul Amato, Christine Johnson, and Howard Markman. Journal of Family Psychology 2006, Vol 20, No.1, pgs. 117-126

Other links:  http://www.bridesight.com 

These web sites are listed as a FREE Community Resource.  We do not endorse or promote any site or resource but rather list it for your convenience.  You are responsible for your decisions; Your use of the resources listed is at your own choice.  FTF and the Board is not responsible for any decisions you make