Premarital Counseling with ElopeRVA

The months before a wedding can be stressful, exciting, and filled with so much to do. There are often invitations to send, receptions to plan, and a ceremony to coordinate. With everything planning a wedding entails, it can be easy to forget about the one thing that truly matters: you, your partner, and the relationship you’re continuing to build together.

ElopeRVA wants to help you do it all! We want to be there to assist you in planning the perfect wedding and we also want to help you take care of your relationship and one another.  As we work to better support you, we are thrilled to announce a new premarital counseling service, available only to ElopeRVA clients. Research published in the Journal of Family Psychology demonstrated that couples who opted for premarital counseling reported higher levels of marital satisfaction and experienced a 30 percent decline in the likelihood of divorce over five years.

What is premarital counseling?

Premarital counseling invites you and your partner to better prepare for marriage. It involves setting time aside for meaningful conversations about “big topics” that are mediated by a trained facilitator with experience in premarital counseling.  Rev. Jamie Lynn Haskins is an ordained Chaplain and certified premarital counseling provider and is excited to offer this opportunity to our clients.

Rev. Jamie Lynn Haskins ; photo by Heather Frable

Why choose premarital counseling with ElopeRVA?

Our premarital counseling is research-based and customized to meet your needs. Each couple will take an assessment separately that points to strengths as well as possible growth areas for both individuals and for the relationship. Following the assessment, Jamie Lynn will provide custom resources and lead you in conversation that helps you go deeper as a couple and come to a clearer understanding of what you both want and need.

 What should we expect at our first session?

Premarital counseling involves four 60-minute sessions. During your first session, you will be provided with the results of your assessment as well as resources tailored to your needs as a couple. In conversation with Jamie Lynn, you will create a counseling plan and decide what you’d like to address in your time together. After designing your plan, you will jump right into conversation about what matters most—who you are as individuals and who you are together!

What will we discuss in premarital counseling? 

Counseling is tailored to each couple and your needs. Common topics can include: relationship dynamics (including strength and growth areas); communication, conflict resolution, couple dynamics as they relate to family-of-origin dynamics; financial management, relationship roles; sex and affection; children and parenting, and spiritual beliefs.

If you are interested in premarital counseling with ElopeRVA please fill out our contact form so that we can set up a time to talk. We would love to be apart of your day and help you take care of your relationship and one another.

Why elope? Five reasons why eloping might be perfect for you

More and more, couples are forgoing traditional weddings and choosing to elope. When my husband and I eloped in 2018, we faced many challenges as an interfaith couple. Having two weddings was out of the question and after being together for six years, we wanted to get on with spending the rest of our lives together. 

Eloping allowed us the freedom to get married our way and we have absolutely no regrets. 

Whether you’re facing the same challenges that my husband and I did or you’re simply weighing all of your options, here are my top five reasons why eloping might be perfect for you and your partner. 

1. You want to save money and time

The average cost of a U.S. wedding is nearly $40,000, according to WeddingWire’s 2019 Newlywed report. You don’t have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to have a dream wedding. At ElopeRVA, we can help you put together a ceremony fit with everything from custom flower arrangements to high-quality photography that won’t drain your savings account. 

While you’re saving money, you’ll also be saving time. Planning a traditional wedding requires months of hassle and hard work. You’re looking at 13-18 months of planning for a traditional wedding. On the other hand, ElopeRVA can have you ready to say “I do” in a matter of weeks or even a few days for more spontaneous couples. 

2. You’re in an interfaith relationship 

Planning two separate weddings isn’t feasible for everyone and not all interfaith couples have the support of their families. Eloping is a great way for you and your partner to meet in the middle and create the ceremony that works best for the both of you. The opinions of others won’t be a distraction. As I stated before, eloping is about enjoying the freedom to get married your way. 

3. You want adventure 

Not having to worry about accommodating 100+ guests opens up your ability to get married wherever you want. You could jetset to the destination of your dreams, exchange vows and enjoy a blissful honeymoon right after. Eloping is perfect for couples that really want to get creative without breaking the bank or dealing with a lot of stress. 

4. You want to focus on intimacy 

Eloping allows you to strip away the pressure and anxiety that often comes with traditional weddings. You and your partner can focus on and celebrate each other in an uninhibited way. It’s incredibly hard to focus solely on your partner when you’re playing host to a large wedding. However, when you elope, your dream wedding can come to life without anyone or anything getting in the way of your most intimate moments. 

5. You don’t actually like being the center of attention 

If you cringe just thinking about exchanging your vows in front of a large audience, eloping is definitely a great option for you. Not everyone likes being the center of attention especially when they’re expressing their deepest feelings for their significant other. Social anxiety doesn’t have to disrupt your wedding day. Eloping creates a safe space for you to be completely vulnerable without watering down your thoughts or emotions. 

Eloping opens up a world of opportunities for couples to commit their lives to one another in a way that fits who they are and what they want. If this sounds like the right step for you, learn about the services ElopeRVA offers and get in touch so we can start helping you bring your special day to life.