Before I Say

Building stronger relationships

Before I Say…

Before big decisions are made, it’s worth slowing down and asking honest questions. 

The Before I Say courses are designed to help couples create space for meaningful conversations—about communication, expectations, conflict, family, and what it really looks like to build a healthy relationship over time.

These experiences aren’t about rushing decisions or having everything figured out. They’re about gaining clarity, understanding each other more deeply, and taking intentional next steps—wherever you are in your relationship.

Before I Say “I Do”

Before I Say “I Do”

(for engaged couples)

Engagement is an exciting season—but it can also be easy to focus on planning a wedding and overlook preparation for a marriage.

Before I Say “I Do” is a four-week, in-person course for engaged couples who want to enter marriage thoughtfully and intentionally. Together, you’ll explore how you communicate, how you handle conflict, how your families have shaped you, and how to keep loving each other well when real life sets in.

This course is less about having all the answers and more about building the basic tools every healthy marriage needs—through guided conversation, reflection, and shared experience.

It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about being prepared.

Next session begins: November 5, 2026

registration coming soon
Before I Get Serious

Before I Get Serious

(for dating couples discerning next steps)

Are you and your partner starting to wonder where this relationship is headed?

Maybe marriage has come up—or maybe you’re still figuring out whether it should.

Before I Get Serious is designed for dating couples who want space to slow down, ask good questions, and discern next steps together. Each session focuses on a different topic and is structured more like a guided date night—creating room for conversation, reflection, and honest dialogue in a relaxed setting.

This course isn’t about pushing toward engagement. It’s about helping couples better understand each other, assess compatibility, and gain clarity about whether moving forward together makes sense.

Next session begins: August 6, 2026

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What to Expect Each Week

Each evening is designed to help you slow down, connect with your partner, and have meaningful conversations before marriage. While every session focuses on a different topic, each week follows a similar rhythm:

Welcome & Check-In

We’ll begin by reconnecting as a group, reflecting on the previous week’s homework, and creating space to celebrate what you’re learning together.
Teaching & Conversation

Each session includes practical teaching on a key area of marriage, such as love, communication, conflict, or family dynamics.

Rather than simply listening to a presentation, you’ll spend time talking through guided questions with your partner, applying the concepts to your own relationship in real time.
Interactive Activities

Throughout the course, you’ll participate in hands-on exercises, reflection activities, and assessments designed to help you better understand yourselves and each other.

We’ll also incorporate insights from the PREPARE/ENRICH assessment to help personalize your experience.
Refreshments & Connection

There will be time each week to enjoy snacks and connect informally with other couples who are navigating a similar season of life.
Homework & Next Steps

Each session ends with a simple, practical homework assignment designed to help you continue the conversation at home and put what you’re learning into practice.
A Note About the Course

This course isn’t about having all the answers or building the perfect relationship. It’s about creating space to ask honest questions, learn new skills, and build a strong foundation for marriage.

Occasionally, we may include guest speakers, videos, or additional activities to enrich the experience. During our final session, you’ll have an opportunity to share feedback and discuss next steps for continued growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you are welcome to if you are open to, but the only time you will be speaking about your relationship is with your partner.

The seminar “Before I Get Serious” is catered towards couples who are not yet engaged and have never been married before.

The seminar “Before I Say ‘I Do’” will cover material for new couples who have never been married. Mature couples are welcome to come to this seminar, but know it is catered for a specific demographic.

We will be providing snacks, coffee, tea, a notebook, and an assessment test through Prepare/Enrich. “Prepare/Enrich” (www.prepare-enrich.com) is an assessment test to help better understand yourself and your partners styles, habits, family, communication, etc. It will be used as a guide to help during the seminars.

Dress for a fun time, relaxing time. Wear something comfortable such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Yes! It would be great to have additional help spreading this seminar.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@thebridgemarkham.com.

 Just bring yourself and an openness to learn and grow as a couple.

At this time, we currently do NOT offer child care, but in some special cases, we are willing to make some exceptions. Please contact info@thebridgemarkham.com for any further questions.

This seminar is built around both parties being present for the seminar. Much of the time during the seminar will be spent around discussing with your partner different topics. If individuals were to register, they would not benefit from the discussion portion of the night.

No, it is not. The seminar is open to all couples who are looking to engage further with their partner prior to marriage or prior to getting engaged.

The “Before I Get Serious” seminar is catered to couples who are looking to get engaged.  Couples who have talked about marriage, or are thinking about marriage, this seminar is for you!

The “Before I Say ‘I Do’” seminar is catered to couples who are already engaged and are planning their wedding. If you are married and did not have a chance to get some marriage tools for your toolbox, you are also welcome to join, but know the material is geared around couples who are engaged.

CONTACT US


If you are looking for more information or would like to register for our next session, contact Pastor Teresa.