Marriage Prep Talks

[LadyBimbs]

Hi I heard from my Muslim colleague that they have to attend a mandatory talk/course on marriage life before tying the knot. This is to better prepare them for the changes that they will go thru after marriage. I thought this sounded interesting and I'm sure it will be a useful tool for me and my HTB. I saw on the ROM website that there lots of organizations doing such talks. Has anyone here attended such talks? Care to share ur experience and also Which organization did u sign up with? Thanks!

 

[lovemylife]

My htb and I are going for a marriage prep programme as well. Are individual sessions better or group sessions?

 

[LadyBimbs]

You can try Family Service Centre (http://app.msf.gov.sg/dfcs/familyservice/default.aspx)

They do have couple's session which you and your htb can consider. It is good that you realised that marriage requires work and lots of understanding, going for such sessions doesn't mean that you have an issue in your relationship, but rather you are both open to the idea of learning new methods in making the relationship works.

Thank u for the advice. Have u attended the session w FSC before?

 

[LadyBimbs]

My htb and I are going for a marriage prep programme as well. Are individual sessions better or group sessions?

Hi that's nice to know I'm not the only one who wish to attend such programmes. Have u shortlisted any organization for this? I think group sessions will be good as if there is an interactive session we can better understand the situation of other couples and learn from it?

 

[lovemylife]

Hi that's nice to know I'm not the only one who wish to attend such programmes. Have u shortlisted any organization for this? I think group sessions will be good as if there is an interactive session we can better understand the situation of other couples and learn from it?

Hi actually I am keen on both group and individual sessions. However my htb is only keen on individual sessions as he feels uncomfortable opening up in front of a group esp about relationship issues ....and I guess we have to be open to sharing in a marriage prep programme. So now I'm thinking the pros and cons of group vs individual.

For group sessions, I have shortlisted fei yue as they seem to have good reviews. For individual sessions, I have emaild several and so far I have only seen family life society providing this service. Note that the listing on rom website is not updated as some have stopped this service (after I have emailed to enquire)

Individual sessions are about $350. Group sessions are $200. There's also a $70 rebate from govt after you have completed the course.

Also, certain churches conduct marriage prep programme so if it is applicable to u, you can check with your church. However both of us are free thinkers so can only source elsewhere.

Hope to hear other feedback from couples who have attended these sessions !

 

[LadyBimbs]

Hi actually I am keen on both group and individual sessions. However my htb is only keen on individual sessions as he feels uncomfortable opening up in front of a group esp about relationship issues ....and I guess we have to be open to sharing in a marriage prep programme. So now I'm thinking the pros and cons of group vs individual.

For group sessions, I have shortlisted fei yue as they seem to have good reviews. For individual sessions, I have emaild several and so far I have only seen family life society providing this service. Note that the listing on rom website is not updated as some have stopped this service (after I have emailed to enquire)

Individual sessions are about $350. Group sessions are $200. There's also a $70 rebate from govt after you have completed the course.

Also, certain churches conduct marriage prep programme so if it is applicable to u, you can check with your church. However both of us are free thinkers so can only source elsewhere.

Hope to hear other feedback from couples who have attended these sessions !

Wow! Thanks for the information. Will check out fei yue. Hope to register for one soon.

 

[rachelyn]

I remember when I filed for notice of marriage, there was an option to attend a marriage prep talk. I opted for No then but now I think it might actually be good for us. A google search will give us a list of courses, but how do we know which one is better, considering some are of different prices? And how long is the course?

 

[aiaiai48]

Hi there,
I have a marriage prep course under Eagles Mediation and Counselling Centre to let go as I have attended a marriage prep course which is held by my church instead
http://emcc.org.sg/marriage-journey/marriage-preparation-programme/

The cost of the course is $370 (2 group sessions) (price negotiable)

per the MSF website, there is a $70 rebate on completion of the course from MSF as well (this information is accurate on the 10 Mar 2015)
http://app.msf.gov.sg/Policies/Marriages/Preparing-for-Marriage

Sms me on 831 82 831 for more info/ email [email protected]
Thanks

 

[kumara]

We've attended the marriage preparation course many years before - it's really good. The course we did was done by a church and it helped us better understand each other's personality, conflict styles, finances (including any debts that your other half may not know about), how to deal with finances, purchasing styles, dealing with family members, in-laws, leadership style (for your household), children, decision-making, etc etc.

Some of it may be difficult conversations that couples never had before their wedding and can surface as "but I thought we'd do that" assumptions and disagreements. So it's good to iron any of those things out.

 

[StrawberrieShortie]

Found this information on Ministry of Social and Family Development website:
- Fei Yue Community Services
- Care Corner Singapore
- Cornerstone Community Services
- Society of Sheng Hong Welfare Services

Currently, 2 versions of PREP are offered to couples – a 2-hour introductory lunch-time talk, as well as a comprehensive 12-hour workshop.

2-Hour PREP Introductory Lunch-time Talk
3 This is a 2-hour seminar-style lunch-time talk that is designed to incorporate key principles and skills extracted from the full PREP workshop. The talk is held at the Singapore Registry of Marriage (ROM) from 12 to 2pm, Monday to Friday. Interested couples may sign up for this talk during the process of e-filing for their marriage. Couples will be assigned a class on the same day as their verification of documents and statutory declaration date.

12-Hour Full PREP Workshop
4 The 12-hour full PREP workshop will be carried out over a 2-day session, covering a total of 12 topics including communication, conflict management, commitment, and problem-solving.


Hope this helps!

 

[cheesecakefan123]

I have attended before, i would say that it is encouraged for couples to attend. For my case, we have learned abt topics that shld be discussed prior to wedding to prevent conflict. Sometimes ppl get so excited abt planning a wedding but forgot to align their values and beliefs in preparation for a marriage. Wedding is short term, marriage is long term

 

[AceOfXF]

Hi hi..my ROM is in march 2016, planning to sign up as well.. looking at the bishan one Connect2 because is near my house. Anyone attended it before ?

 

[StrawberrieShortie]

i attended the first session of the PREP 8.0 pre-marriage workshop with my fiancé and it was pretty good I must say. It focuses on understanding personalities (especially your partner’s) and learning techniques in resolving conflicts. What I really liked was it comprises of couples with all the same purpose coming together and that really helped I felt..

I registered via MSF, but the location of the training was at Cornerstone. The facilitators were also an actual married couple, so that really helped.

One more session to go, and will share my thoughts after the entire workshop

 

[kinkedtail]

6 hours per session sounds really intense though. Most courses have 1.5 - 2 hours sessions. Do u think shorter sessions would be better?

 

[bonbons]

@StrawberrieShortie so yours is 2 sessions in total? Looking forward to hearing your review after you finish the workshop!

 

[StrawberrieShortie]

@kinkedtail in my opinion, the 12-hour session was alright in terms of duration, but i would have preferred if it was not so rush. would be ideal if it was like a 3D2n weekend retreat without our gadgets.. then you can be practicing while taking some time off from everything too. i haven't been to the 2 hour session at ROM, but a couple i met during a workshop went for the 2 hour session, and that was more like a talk instead of a workshop where you can practice etc. The 12 hour workshop was split into 2 sessions, over 2 saturdays. so it was like 9.30am to 5pm each saturday.

@bonbons i finished session 2 of 2 on saturday, and overall, i feel that the session is really helpful for couples in setting expectations, and learning techniques on communication, issue resolution etc. As above, it's over 2 consecutive saturdays, so in my session, there were another 7 couples who were there. age group ranged from 20 plus to 30s? and the duration of the relationship ranged from 1+ to us at 7 years. I really liked how people of the same purpose came together, so it was quite fun and very interactive. the improvements that can be made could be the venue.. it's a little cozy for 16 pax. imagine a bedroom size, and we are all inside.. the seating arrangement is theatre style. Personally, i would have preferred a larger area, preferably with some tables instead of just chairs.. but all in all, my HTB and i really enjoyed the course.. and happy to have met other couples with same objectives as us

 

[kemise]

heyya, are marriage prep talks/counselling necessary? After some research, it is pretty expensive... but seems like it's useful?

 

[AceOfXF]

heyya, are marriage prep talks/counselling necessary? After some research, it is pretty expensive... but seems like it's useful?

My bf complain like mad when he was there... used phone play games etc..doodling on the workbook. Nv pay attn. But aft the course he used the techniques they taught when needed and i was surprised. Hahaha!