Pre-marriage relationship support: why is it recommended?

Whilst it's not compulsory, sometimes having relationship counselling before you marry can be a great idea, and it is recommended for all couples planning to marry. All civil celebrants are required, by the Attorneys General Department, to provide to each of their bridal couples an information pamphlet called "Happily Ever ....... Before and After", which explains why this type of counselling is important.

In the Ballarat region, Centacare’s "Preparing for Marriage" program offers the chance for newly engaged couples to strengthen their relationship. It focuses on communication skills and others essential relationship aspects to try to help the couple develop and maintain a strong relationship (application link here). The aim is to help each couple best plan and  prepare for their married life, because sometimes couples don't think about the longer relationship of actually being married, and sometimes the romance of planning a wedding just takes over and problems get swept away in all the romantic ideals.

Miranda & Chris.

We were so lucky with Miranda and Chris' rehearsal and wedding. I am amazed that we did not drown at any point. On the day of the rehearsal we had thunderstorms, but just not during the time of the rehearsal (it bucketed down before and afterwards!) And on the day of the wedding? Blue skies, but quite humid. It was a family celebration, with most peple travelling great distances to be there to enjoy the celebrations. This couple had chosen Stacey Taig from "Simply Magical Celebrations" to do their styling, and it turned out so beautifully: well done Stacey! And well done to Miranda and Chris: congratulations on your wedding, I hope you have a wonderful married life together.

Carla & Michael: married on a very hot day!

Carla and Michael were married last weekend, at The Novotel Forest Resort, at Creswick, which is a terrific venue, with incredibly helpful staff, and a lovely wedding wedding lawn overlooking the golf course and trees. This was a wedding where I knew two of the groom's Uncles and a cousin, proving that the world is smaller then we think, and I love it when there is a personal connection with the couple. And what can I say about this bridal couple? They are incredibly warm of spirit, friendly, inclusive, loving and family focussed, with the bride's grandfather sharing a reading with us all. There were a lot of laughs and a couple of tears, from the bridal couple and the audience, making this a beautiful ceremony to be a part of (even though it felt like it was eleventy-gabillion degrees!)

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians 3:12-17

Above all, have love which is the bond of perfection. You are God's chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.

Let the message of Christ, in all its richness find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This is the word of the Lord.