3 Ways to Attend Marriage Preparation Classes

1. Why Marriage Preparation Classes?

With the divorce rate as high as it is, and many people coming from families with divorced parents, it's now more important than ever that engaged couples take marriage preparation classes. Some research states that marriage preparation classes can decrease the chance you and your partner will divorce by 30 percent. Marriage preparation classes teach couples how to deal with stress, which is at an all-time high as more and more couples attempt to both have careers and raise children at the same time. You can take marriage preparation classes through your parish or with a marriage and family therapist.

2. Find out if Your Parish Requires It

Some parishes or even religions require couples to attend marriage preparation classes before they'll let you get married. If this is the case, you may have to sign up for classes months in advance. Sometimes these classes are over in a few hours, sometimes they take months to complete. Understand that if you take a marriage preparation class through your church or parish, it will have a religious theme to it. It won't just be about you and your partner's day-to-day life, but about how God fits into that life. Ideally, you should talk to the person who'll be witnessing your wedding before you make commitments about reception halls, cakes and flowers to make sure you can attend your marriage preparation classes before your wedding. You also should find out if there are any additional classes you're required to take. Some churches or parishes require that you take natural family planning classes or attend weekend couple retreats.

3. Be Prepared for Lots of Talking

Marriage preparation classes will take you through any issues that may come up in the course of your marriage. You'll learn how to deal with stress, compromise and talk to your partner. You may play games, take quizzes or role play certain scenarios. Sometimes issues or emotions come up that you'll have to deal with. Most of the time, the person facilitating your marriage preparation classes can help you. However, marriage preparation classes aren't usually couple or individual counseling sessions; they're not therapy. If you or your partner requires therapy or you think you may need some couples therapy, ask your facilitator for a referral or be prepared to attend extra classes with this person.