Research-based • practical • live
Start your marriage strong.
A four-week, small-group premarital experience designed to help engaged couples have the conversations, gain the tools, and build the habits that support a thriving marriage.
The Challenge
Engaged couples deserve more than a box to check.
Our daughter and several of her friends ran into an unexpected challenge when they got engaged: it was hard to find premarital counseling that was:
- available when they needed it
- practical and research-based
- designed for real-life relationships
They didn’t just want a check-the-box experience. They wanted something that would actually prepare them for marriage.
The Solution
What we wish every engaged couple could experience.
A small-group, live premarital experience that combines decades of research with honest, practical guidance.
Not just information. Not just theory. But the real conversations and tools that help couples thrive.
What You’ll Experience
Four weeks built around the conversations that matter.
4 Live Sessions
- 190 minutes each week
Live interaction and expert guidance - 260 minutes
Engaging, research-based content - 330 minutes
Live Q&A for your candid questions
Core Curriculum Topics
Private 90-minute session
For couples who want a more personalized experience: add a private 90-minute session.
- Guided relationship assessment
- Personalized insights into your strengths and growth areas
- Space to ask anything you want in confidence
Details
Simple format. Meaningful investment.
Dates based on best group availability
Who We Are
Research, real life, and nearly 25 years of helping couples thrive.
For nearly twenty-five years, we (Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn) have researched and written about relationships, marriage, communication, and human behavior, helping millions of men and women better understand one another.
Both of us are Harvard-trained (Jeff with a law degree, Shaunti with an analytical master’s degree), and Shaunti also holds a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies from Regent University. Our books have sold more than three million copies worldwide and have been translated into 26 languages.
Get More Information
Interested in joining a Start Strong group?
Tell us a little about you and your wedding timeline. We’ll follow up with upcoming group options and next steps.
FAQ
Questions before you join?
What is a typical group’s size?
In order to make the experience as meaningful as possible for participants, groups will only launch if there are at least 5 couples participating and are limited to 10 couples. Once the minimum threshold of participants has been met, couples will be contacted with information about the actual start date of the group and asked to provide payment. Upon receipt of payment, the couple’s spot within the particular group will be reserved.
What is the composition of a typical group?
In order to make the experience as meaningful as possible, groups will be composed of participants sharing similar characteristics. All groups will consist of participants who seek to enter into what is traditionally viewed as the biblical framework of marriage—between one man and one woman. Initial groups will also prioritize participants who are getting married for the first time and between the ages of 22–40 years old. Participants sharing different characteristics, marrying for a second time, or older than 40 will be gathered into a group of participants sharing those characteristics.
What is the optional 1:1 coaching session?
This 90-minute coaching session will be conducted online with Shaunti and Jeff. The cost is $250.00. It will be scheduled at a time that works for all parties. Shaunti and Jeff will utilize an assessment tool known as SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts). Couples will be provided with a link for each party to take the assessment, independent of the other, before the coaching session. Shaunti and Jeff will review the assessment results with the couple and guide a personalized discussion based on those results. Couples can also use the time to ask Shaunti and Jeff questions.
When are groups scheduled/available?
During the first few cohorts of the premarital coaching experience, the schedule will be created based on the best availability for pulling together a group with a minimum of five couples. When you send in the contact form, Jeff and Shaunti will connect with you about the likely schedule options. Couples not able to register because the maximum of ten couples has been reached will be given priority in the next group cohort.
Does a couple need to be officially engaged to participate?
Someone who is not officially engaged can still benefit from this process. But be aware that pre-engagement counseling is different from premarital counseling. This 4-session journey is designed to help couples who have already decided to get married, rather than couples who are trying to decide whether or not to do so. All discussion and material will focus on starting your upcoming marriage strong. If both of you are comfortable with that, and you are likely close to getting engaged, you are welcome to join!