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!
Already connected with your church parish or virtual coach?
Sign in to view video content for meetings with your mentors!
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!
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!
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 WTL 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 WTL 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 WTL 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
Mountains to Conquer
Communication, Clearing Up Conflict, & Commitment
Gear You Will Need
Justice, Courage, & Honor
-
Chapter 2
Mountains to Conquer
My Family, Your Family, Our Family
Gear You Will Need
Mercy, Endurance, & Humility
-
Chapter 3
Mountains to Conquer
Friendship & Community
Gear You Will Need
Tenderness, Patience, & Kindness
-
Chapter 4
Mountains to Conquer
Living Your Vows
Gear You Will Need
Charity, Purity, & Honesty
-
Chapter 5
Mountains to Conquer
The Theology of Marriage & The Sacrament of Matrimony
Gear You Will Need
Sacrifice & Self-Gift
-
Chapter 6
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
WTL 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.