---
title: Engaged Couples | Catholic Marriage Preparation | Witness to Love
description: Explore resources and support for engaged couples to grow in faith, community, and prepare for a Christ-centered marriage with Witness to Love.
image: https://witnesstolove.org/hubfs/WTL%20Photos/Engaged%20Couples%20(1)%20(1).png
---

# Engaged Couples

## Catholic Marriage Preparation

We’re honored to journey with you as you prepare to make a gift of yourself to your beloved. In learning about the virtues needed for a happy marriage, walking with mentors of your choosing, and coaching from parish coordinators or Witness to Love Coaches, you’ll be prepared to say "YES" on your wedding day and share the light of your marriage with the world. It is our mission to renew the Church through relationships by giving you lifelines to hold on to and not hoops to jump through! Whether you choose parish or online coaching, both offer unmatched formation and community connection for an unforgettable marriage prep experience!

[ Find a Parish ](https://witnesstolove.org/contact-us?hsLang=en)

[ Online Coaching ](https://witnesstolove.org/begin-hybrid-experience?hsLang=en)

## Already connected with your church parish or virtual coach?

Sign in to view video content for meetings with your mentors!

[ Sign In ](https://courses.witnesstolove.org/?hsLang=en)

## Marriage Formation Pathways

We offer two pathways for a transformational marriage formation experience. You can work with your local Witness to Love parish or diocese, or we can do the coaching for you if you do not have a WTL parish nearby! Both options offer mentorship by local couples of your choosing and a connection to your parish for ongoing support.

### Parish Coaching

Witness to Love is active in over 500 parishes in the U.S, Canada, and beyond. A trained Marriage Formation Coordinator, priest, or deacon will guide you (and your mentors) in your journey to the altar, giving you the necessary materials and digital tools, while making you feel a vital member of the community! 

[ Contact Us to Find a Parish ](https://witnesstolove.org/contact-us?hsLang=en)

### Online Coaching

Not in Witness to Love parish, or looking for online marriage prep? No worries! You can still benefit from our unique mentor-led, virtues-based approach. Our trained coaches are here to guide you (and your mentors) in your marriage formation journey online. Simply click the button below to get started and one of our coaches will be in touch!

[ Begin the Hybrid Experience ](https://witnesstolove.org/begin-hybrid-experience?hsLang=en)

## How to Choose a Mentor Couple

When choosing a mentor couple, think of a couple who:

- Has been married in the Catholic Church for 5 years or more
- Is actively practicing their faith
- Has a marriage and family you both admire
- Attends your current or future parish or the church where you will be getting married
- Is not immediate family

## How it Works

 

We encourage you to invest at least 6 months in your future marriage and family. If you are getting married in the next 5 months, we invite you to discuss your options with your priest or deacon. 

**See the typical Witness to Love marriage formation process below! Your parish or dioceses may have slightly different requirements.**

![WTL_Couples Roadmap-Phase-1-white_v1](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Roadmap/WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-1-white_v1.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-1-white_v1.png)

**Phase I**

### Initial Preparation

📍  Meet with parish priest or deacon

📍  Choose a mentor couple

📍  Complete the premarital inventory

📍  Attend coaching session with parish marriage coordinator or Witness to Love Coach

![WTL_Couples Roadmap-Phase-2-white_v1](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Roadmap/WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-2-white_v1.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-2-white_v1.png)

**Phase II**

### Marriage Formation

📍  Register for a natural Family Planning course

📍  Monthly meetings with mentor couple

📍  Complete parish Scavenger Hunt activities

📍  Attend parish, diocesan or Witness to Love Be More Retreat

📍  Theology Discussion Night with mentors and clergy

![WTL_Couples Roadmap-Phase-3-white_v1](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Roadmap/WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-3-white_v1.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-3-white_v1.png)

**Phase III**

### Nuptial Mass Planning

⛪  Wedding Liturgy Planning with your priest or deacon

💍  Wedding Day

![WTL_Couples Roadmap-Phase-4-white_v1](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Roadmap/WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-4-white_v1.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-4-white_v1.png)

**Phase IV**

### Post-Wedding Day

📍  Join parish Be Light small group marriage communities

📍  Continued accompaniment from mentors

📍  Thriving generations of marriages and families

![WTL_Couples Roadmap-Phase-5-white_v1](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Roadmap/WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-5-white_v1.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=WTL_Couples%20Roadmap-Phase-5-white_v1.png)

**Phase V**

### Civilization of Love

👩‍❤️‍👨  Mentor younger couples

🎁 Find other ways to use your gifts to serve your community

💻 Get ongoing support from Witness to Love through our online resources

## About the Workbook

### Gearing Up for a Lifelong Journey

Each chapter contains “mountains to conquer” or common areas for growth in marriage, and “gear you will need” or virtues to support that growth. The online content are witness videos from real couples sharing their stories in one of these areas.

- #### [Chapter 1](https://witnesstolove.org/getting-married/engaged-couples#)
  
  **Mountains to Conquer**
  
  Communication, Clearing Up Conflict, & Commitment
  
  **Gear You Will Need**
  
  Justice, Courage, & Honor
- #### [Chapter 2](https://witnesstolove.org/getting-married/engaged-couples#)
  
  **Mountains to Conquer**
  
  My Family, Your Family, Our Family
  
  **Gear You Will Need**
  
  Mercy, Endurance, & Humility
- #### [Chapter 3](https://witnesstolove.org/getting-married/engaged-couples#)
  
  **Mountains to Conquer**
  
  Friendship & Community
  
  **Gear You Will Need**
  
  Tenderness, Patience, & Kindness
- #### [Chapter 4](https://witnesstolove.org/getting-married/engaged-couples#)
  
  **Mountains to Conquer**
  
  Living Your Vows
  
  **Gear You Will Need**
  
  Charity, Purity, & Honesty
- #### [Chapter 5](https://witnesstolove.org/getting-married/engaged-couples#)
  
  **Mountains to Conquer**
  
  The Theology of Marriage & The Sacrament of Matrimony
  
  **Gear You Will Need**
  
  Sacrifice & Self-Gift
- #### [Chapter 6](https://witnesstolove.org/getting-married/engaged-couples#)
  
  **Mountains to Conquer**
  
  Providing for Family, Home, & Leisure
  
  **Gear You Will Need**
  
  Wisdom, Moderation, & Gratitude

![Witness to Love Couple’s Guide: Gearing up for a Lifelong Journey](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Graphics/Engaged%20Couples%20-%20WTL%20Workbook%20(1).png?width=688&height=403&name=Engaged%20Couples%20-%20WTL%20Workbook%20(1).png)

## What Our Couples Are Saying

We’re honored to help couples build a strong foundation for their marriage vocation.

![Jeremy & Lindsay testimonial-couple-150x150](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonial%20Images/Jeremy%20%26%20Lindsay%20testimonial-couple-150x150.png?width=150&height=150&name=Jeremy%20%26%20Lindsay%20testimonial-couple-150x150.png)

> I believe we definitely grew as a couple, not only closer to each other, but closer to God and the church. We really focused on the sacrament of marriage throughout the preparation. We also talked about things that really happen after the wedding; not being 100% perfect all of the time and how to deal with conflict/differences.

##### Jeremy & Lindsay

![Payton & Cody](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonial%20Images/Feature%20Images%20-%20Witness%20to%20Love%20(1)-1.png?width=150&height=150&name=Feature%20Images%20-%20Witness%20to%20Love%20(1)-1.png)

> I would certainly recommend Be More Retreat to other couples. With each lesson being roughly 30 minutes or so long, you receive a great amount of knowledge regarding each topic that will certainly benefit those engaging in marriage

##### Payton and Cody

###### Witness to Love Couple, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, LA

![Jason & Allison](https://witnesstolove.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonial%20Images/Feature%20Images%20-%20Witness%20to%20Love%20(2)%20(1)-1.png?width=150&height=150&name=Feature%20Images%20-%20Witness%20to%20Love%20(2)%20(1)-1.png)

> Witness to Love has helped us to be more open to expressing our faith and relationship with others. We plan to continue to go to mass with our mentor couple on a regular basis, connecting with our church community with our mentor couple and we hope to become more involved in the parish.

##### Jason and Allison

###### Witness to Love Couple, Diocese of Lansing, MI

## Begin your journey!

Whether you choose parish or online coaching, both offer unmatched formation and community connection for an unforgettable marriage prep experience! Contact us to find a parish or begin your online Hybrid Experience today!

[ Find a Parish ](https://witnesstolove.org/contact-us?hsLang=en)

[ Hybrid Experience ](https://witnesstolove.org/begin-hybrid-experience?hsLang=en)

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