First Things First of Greater Richmond

RESOURCES BY SUBJECT l FTF LIBRARY

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 Bare. First 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

National Healthy Marriage Resource Center launched April 2006 www.healthymarriageinfo.org

Articles & News

Should we Live Together before we say "I do?" – National Healthy Marriage Resource Center (PDF - 34 KB)
Many Couples Giving Up Sex in the months before Wedding By DAVID YOUNT (link for article)
**NEW*** How Effective Are Premarital Prevention Programs? (link for article) A recent study by Carroll and Doherty (2003) evaluated the effectiveness of premarital prevention programs and produced some promising results. Results revealed that the average person who participated in a premarital prevention program was significantly better off afterward than 79% of people who did not participate. The findings suggest that premarital prevention programs are generally effective in producing immediate and short-term gains in interpersonal skills and overall relationship quality and that these improvements are significantly better than nonintervention couples in these areas. It does not compare those programs that are most effective, however it does indicate that Premarital Prevention is effective and identifies PREP and Relationship Inventories such as PREPARE or FOCCUS (above) as effective strategies whether presented by mental health professionals, clergy or laity!

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