Marriage preparation classes

Haha dont forget to go buy a new pencil case and pens!!

My best mate had to do this cos she was getting married ina church and said it was ridiculous.....having to prove your love to god or something.

One of the reasons i went for civil ceremony!!

My oh's sister also had to do this to marry in her choice of church......they went to one session where they had to write down what they thought their partner wanted to change about themselves.

they then went round the room sharing their answers and other couples were saying (or things to this effect!!)

"to not work over hours so to be at home more" to be more involved in 'family time' (oh i dont know-just really fluffy stuff!)

then my sil said "erm his beer belly" and her H replied "the size of her bum" ?

they had not really grasped the idea i think!!!

Ours sounds more relaxed than that, even though there are 4 of them. The first two (in January) are about our wording/hymn choices, order of service requirements, what happens on the day etc. The second two (February) are all about us, our marriage, the difficulties we may face and how to communicate better.

They're a lovely congregation so should be fun.

I will definitely have a new pencil case though.

Hmm my 1st marriage was in a church and we had one of those appts... its quite entertaining.

ours was similiar to Amethysts account.. hehe.

its usually a "group" session..!! :o)

Lolllllllll amy... your SIL and hubby sound like me and my OH! I'd be putting "his addiction to watching bike racing on the TV" and he'd be writing "her addiction to wedding websites!".

Sounds like the sort of thing that should be taken seriously but would make us both laugh..

Oh well i think we are starting our classes this friday at 8pm???? (after mass - no pub for me this friday) have no idea how many we have to go to but do know it is compulsory and without the signature on the piece of paper to say we are good boy and girl they refuse to marry us so no bunking off class

Do you go to church regularly?

These sound like fun to me.

Just found out OH and I have way diffrent ideas on parenting....uh-oh

? it reminds me of that film with Robin Williams and Mandy Moore. I didn't think classes like those existed here, just the US. Hummmmm........ I'm sure our vicar doesn't run those..............

Have fun Cricket Bride! ?

I think the second lot sound like a good idea. The Vicar will want to help your marriage to last forever ?

Really hope we don't have to do these, I hate group stuff cos I'm deaf so I can never follow what's going on! Do all churches run them or does it depend what type of church you are marrying in, CofE, Catholic, etc?

Ohhh you have a few?? in my parish we have to attend a marriage prep for a entire day

Breakfast and lunch are provided which is ace its on a saturday from 9-5 we meet doctors, solicitors and run through the service in the church in the afternoon. So im looking forward to it in a way. Kinda of exciting

But its complusery to, othewise no marriage in church for us if we dont go I dont mind as long as its not embarressing im not good at sharing with the group if you get me lol it gets me soo nervous

ours in on november 13th lol and were getting married on sept 2011. Do you think thats A bit earlier??? x x

Oh it's times like this i'm pleased i don't follow any religion! lol xx

I agree, SamSam. It's sweet!

Broomfield, ours total 8 hours so it could be done in a day. Not sure why they're not really.

I think it'll be a really interesting thing to attend. I'm sure we'll get a lot out of it.

Lol no luck!! mind be on your best behaviour ? x

We've got the option of these and I'm quite looking forward to them - think they'll be interesting.

They're not compulsory at our church though - it depends on which vicar is marrying you.

Enjoy!

Another interesting thread!!!

Me and my H2B are Christian and we're having Marriage Counselling. Something that personally i think is very important. It being done by Our Pastor who knows us both very well and it's 13 sessions, each done privately. Ours have bee nothing like the funny ones described!! Although i think i'd quite like to have a group session!!

So far we've covered a few topics including life plans, family, finance and conflict resolution. It very much practical advice, centred around preparing us for marriage and the things we honestly dont know much about right now. I've found it realy useful. Every church is different but my Pastor wants to feel like he's not just marrying us and sending us off into the big world of marriage but that he's given us as much knowledge as possible to make sure that the marriage lasts forever....

I know two couples who went for professional marriage counselling (outside of the church) and felt like it was of benefit to their marriages. The key, i guess, is communicating with your OH, pre-marital classes and counselling are suposed to be designed to do just that but not everyone will need them.

?

That's what I was thinking!!! lol

I'm glad I'm having a civil ceremony, though the classes should certainly be interesting!!!