By the team at actually
The Marriage Retreat has a new home...
We've rebranded and become a little shinier and better. Check us out below or, if you're feeling nostalgic, go to the old site.
THIS SITE IS NOT LONGER FUNCTIONAL. CHECK OUT OUR NEW HOME.
Build a life together.
Invest in your relationship, talk about the big stuff, and grow together with 2-week or weekend, expert-led, virtual premarital counseling courses.
"We wanted to know what we didn't know and have the right conversations. For us, this was about prioritizing time and space for the most important thing in our life."
RILEY & JORDAN
DAYS 1 - 3
Communication
by a couples / executive coach
DAYS 4-6
Intimacy
by a sex coach
DAYS 7 - 9
Finances
by the founder of an innovative couples finances app
DAYS 10 - 12
Splitting the Work
by a dual-career, executive-turned couples therapist
DAYS 13 - 15
Values and the Future
by an expert therapist duo with 20+ years experience
+
We customize each program to your needs and are also able to cover topics like moving in together, religion, in-laws, dual-career planning, kids and parenting, etc.
What does it look like?
Premarital counseling, in some form or another, has been around forever. Nearly 50% of couples participate in some way and it's proven to increase relationship satisfaction. But today it's often rooted in religious institutions, nearly inaccessible, and feels like work.
We re-designed it from the ground up to be secular, fun, inclusive, and proactive. For modern couples in a COVID-world where you live, work, and love together...often all in the same room.
2-week or single-weekend experiences
$100 per couple with a money back guarantee
100% virtual with 5 live, expert-led, group sessions
Ongoing resources and offline exercises with your partner
Q&A with experts and cohort-customized programming
What happens at the end?
You’ll have a plan for the future on each topic and the start of a highly intentional partnership to grow together. Tactically, you'll have a ritual for checking-in and reflecting on your relationship each year.
New cohorts start every few weeks. The current cohort is sold out, but the next one starts on 9/22 (with expert-led sessions at 7:30 PM ET on 9/22, 9/24, 9/29, 10/1, 10/6). Check out upcoming cohorts below or ask us a question.
Testimonials
"We wanted to know what we didn't know and have the right conversations. For us, this was about prioritizing time and space for the most important thing in our life."
MARRIED COUPLE TOGETHER FOR 5 YEARS
"I was a little nervous about the group dynamics, but liked that we could keep it anonymous. But afterwards having some new couples friends who went through the experience with us was one of the best parts."
ENGAGED COUPLE DATING FOR 10 YEARS
"We loved the questions and reflection. We still refer back to our answers when we’re talking about big decisions like money or kids, to see if either of our perspectives have changed."
COUPLE DATING 2 YEARS
"This is exactly what we were looking for. We had always heard of our friends doing premarital counseling before getting married but we didn't know where to turn. This was a great way to make sure we were on the same page before getting married."
COUPLE DATING 5 YEARS
Want to dip your toe in the water first? We'll send a list of questions that every couple should ask based on leading academic research.
F.A.Q.
How much of a time commitment is this?
It depends. Every 3rd day there is a 60 minute live discussion with an expert. On other days you can expect to spend 10-20 minutes, but it's 100% up to you and some couples spend significantly more time while others spend significantly less time.
We're not engaged or don't have plans to get married...
About 1/2 of our couples in the past were not engaged (e.g., dating or already married). Regardless of your relationship status, this is a great way to build a life together.
We've been married a long time already...
See above :)
Can I give this to a friend?
Yes! This is more fun when shared and also makes for a great gift. Send us a note here with "gift" in the subject line and we’ll give you both a 50% discount.
Is this for straight couples only?
No! All relationships are welcome.
How is this different from traditional premarital counseling? And what if we already have a counselor?
Traditional premarital counseling usually involves ~4 sessions with an in-person counselor or therapist. We know that not everyone has access to that or can afford it, particularly with shelter-in-place. So we built this to be a lighter-weight, more accessible way for couples to get started on their journey. You'll hear from some of the very best experts from the comfort of your home.
Why is it done in a group?
By leveraging the group, we're able to bring in world-class experts at a more accessible price. There's also proven benefits to working in a group and many couples say it was one of their favorite parts. However, if you don't want to be in a group, we do that too! Send us a note and we'll set you up with your own private program.
Got it!
Check your inbox for a little love note from us...just kidding, we've only just met. It's an email with next steps :)
If you're excited and ready to get started, you can reserve your spot in the next cohort on 9/22 below (with expert-led sessions at 7:30 PM ET on 9/22, 9/24, 9/29, 10/1, 10/6). If the timing on the next one doesn't work, you can always push your spot to the next cohort.
2 WEEKS, $100, 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Build a life together.
Invest in your relationship, talk about the big stuff, and grow together with secular, premarital counseling.
If you're excited and ready to get started, you can reserve your spot in the next cohort on 9/22 below (with expert-led sessions at 7:30 PM ET on 9/22, 9/24, 9/29, 10/1, 10/6).
2 WEEKS, $100, 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Build a life together.
Invest in your relationship, talk about the big stuff, and grow together with secular, premarital counseling.
If you're excited and ready to get started, you can reserve your spot in the weekend cohort on 10/3 below (with expert-led sessions on 10/3 and 10/4).
1 WEEKEND, $100, 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Build a life together.
Invest in your relationship, talk about the big stuff, and grow together with secular, premarital counseling.
If you're excited and ready to get started, you can reserve your spot in the next cohort on 9/22 below (with expert-led sessions at 7:30 PM ET on 9/22, 9/24, 9/29, 10/1, 10/6).
2 WEEKS, $100 $50, 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Welcome!
We'll reach out soon to confirm your cohort date, get a few more details from you, and see if you have any questions.
By the team at actually
6 Questions Every Couple Should Ask
Based on leading academic studies and expert therapist recommendations
3 questions to ask each other all the time...
#1
How can I best support you this week? What's one thing I can take off your plate?
Knowing that your partner has your back and is there for you is highly correlated with relationship satisfaction.
#2
Is there anything we should celebrate (big or small)?
Some studies have shown that how couples celebrate the good times is even more important than how they deal with the bad times.
#3
What's one thing my partner did recently that I appreciate? What am I grateful for in this relationship?
Countless studies have shown that one of the most important predictors of relationship satisfaction is simple gratitude and appreciation.
3 questions to ask each other every once in a while...
#4
Think of your parents' or a close friend's relationship...what do we want to do differently or the same?
Much of your approach to relationships is rooted in what you were surrounded by growing up.
#5
Are we avoiding anything right now?
Are there any hard conversations we need to have but keep putting off?
How you handle the tough conversations can affect every aspect of your relationship, in both positive and negative ways.
#6
As a couple, when are we happiest (what are we doing, who are we with, how does it start)? How might we create more of these moments?
Understanding the patterns in your relationship can help you take control of both the good and the bad.
If you enjoyed these questions you'll love our expert-led, virtual premarital counseling courses where you can invest in your relationship, talk about the big stuff, and grow together.
By the team at actually
A gift for two!
Carly Schulte has purchased you and your partner a spot in our expert-led, virtual premarital experience. It's a way to invest in your relationship, talk about the big stuff, and grow together by covering 5 topics with world-class experts: Communication, Intimacy, Finances, Splitting the Work, Values.
Enter your email below to claim your spot and check out the details!
By the team at actually
Got it!
We'll send an email soon to confirm timing and details. The next cohort starts on 9/1 with 60-minute, group-facilitated live sessions at 7:30 PM ET on 9/1, 9/3, 9/8, 9/10, 9/15. Let us know if that timing works below!
Upcoming cohorts
All of our courses are designed by experts, 100% virtual, and cover the same core topics: Communication, Intimacy, Finances, Splitting the Work, and Values. We offer a mix of 2 week and weekend programs.
0 SPOTS LEFT
9/1/2020
2 weeks 5 sessions $100
60 min sessions on 9/1, 9/3, 9/8, 9/10, 9/15 at 7:30 PM ET
SOLD OUT
4 spots left
9/22/2020
2 weeks 5 sessions $100
60 min sessions on 9/22, 9/24, 9/29, 10/1, 10/6 at 7:30 PM ET
5 spots left
10/3/2020
1 weekend 2 sessions $100
180 min sessions on 10/3, 10/4
Upcoming
Hear when we open up new cohorts below...
The details...
All of our courses are designed by experts, 100% virtual, and cover the same core topics: Communication, Intimacy, Finances, Splitting the Work, Values. Every 3 days an expert will cover a different topic with a live, 60-minute group discussion at 7:30 PM ET.
Our courses
Multiple Options
Each option is designed by experts, 100% virtual, and covers the same topics: Communication, Intimacy, Finances, Splitting the Work, Values
EASIEST
Self-Serve Starter
Insights, research, and exercises directly by text message.
HIGHEST RATED
Group Learning
Facilitated group discussions via Zoom with world-class experts.
MOST EFFECTIVE
Expert Deep Dives
Get matched with an expert therapist for several sessions.
HIGHEST RATED
Group Learning
Facilitated group discussions via Zoom with world-class experts.
MOST EFFECTIVE
Expert Deep Dives
Get matched with an expert therapist for deep dive sessions.