Premarital Retreat: Marriage Prep

Retreat Description

With both the excitement and stress of considering engagement or planning a wedding, it’s easy for you and your significant other to overlook all that is needed to lay the foundation for a healthy marriage. Whether you’re considering engagement or currently engaged, Marriage Prep is a great weekend for you to learn essential skills beyond the wedding—how to navigate marriage expectations, communication, conflict management, and more.

Key Takeaways

A weekend away to focus on your relationship and reflect on what marriage preparation is all about
The chance to connect with other couples in a similar season of life
Clarity around the next steps in your relationship
Strategies for communicating effectively, managing conflict well, and creating healthy boundaries
Tips to having productive discussions regarding finances, family members, and intimacy in your relationship

Retreat Cost

$750 per couple
Includes all meals, lodging, and programming. Taxes not included.

About the Speakers: Dr. David Bank & Gena Ellis

Dr. David Banks is a marriage coach, author, and leadership trainer with a Ph.D. in Psychology. He’s passionate about helping couples grow in communication, purpose, and unity. Dr. Banks and his wife, Sylvia, have been married for 35 years and live in Texas. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

Gena Ellis is a counselor, speaker, and relationship coach passionate about helping couples grow stronger together. With over 30 years of marriage and a background in education and counseling, she brings wisdom and authenticity to every session. Gena lives in Chattanooga with her husband, Rev. Edward Ellis III, and their three sons.

How It Works

Choose a Marriage Retreat

We offer a wide variety of Marriage Retreats for couples in any stage of their journey. Browse our retreats and choose the best fit for you and your spouse.

Register Online

Once you've chosen your experience, complete the online registration form to secure your spot.

Strengthen Your Marriage

Attend your three-day weekend getaway at WinShape Retreat, where you’ll remove distractions and draw closer to your spouse and the Lord.

Your Registration Includes:

A private room with a king-size bed and private bathroom
Fresh meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—plus coffee, desserts, and plenty of Icedream®—all crafted by our world-class dining team
Full access to Berry College’s breathtaking 27,000-acre campus, covered with peaceful pastures and tree-lined trails
Christ-centered, research-backed content designed to help you grow closer and stronger as a couple
Space to slow down and truly connect—relax in a hammock, cozy up by the fire, ride bikes, play pickleball, or just be still together

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FAQs

Where are you located?

WinShape Retreat is located on the campus of Berry College in Rome, GA, approximately 1.5 hours northwest of Atlanta, GA.

Apple Maps Directions

Google Maps Directions

What are the accommodations like?

Our accommodations are similar to that of a hotel. Couples stay in their own private room with a king-sized bed and a private bathroom with a shower and dual sink vanity. Towels, linens, and a hair dryer are provided. In order to help foster an environment where couples can truly focus on one another, our rooms do not have TVs or telephones. We believe a rejuvenating weekend away starts with space to rest well.

What is the schedule during the retreat?

Check-in is from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Friday, and programming ends around noon on Sunday.

You’ll receive a detailed schedule of the weekend upon arrival, but you can expect breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as sessions in an auditorium type setting and free time.

What can we do during our free time?

During your stay at WinShape Retreat, you’re welcome to explore the beautiful Berry College campus on one of the many walking or biking trails—just stop by the Grand Chalet to grab a map. We also have a variety of other activities and games available. You can play pickleball, play disc golf, fish, hike, play board games, read, relax in a hammock, and more! Feel free to bring your own bikes, equipment, and games, but we also have everything you’ll need available for checkout at the front desk.

Do you provide counseling at Marriage Retreats?

Our Marriage Retreats do not provide time for one-on-one counseling with the speakers or any other staff members. If you feel you may need more in-depth help or your marriage may be in crisis, please contact us using the button below or check out WinShape Marriage Intensives.

Contact Us

Learn More About Marriage Intensives

What is your cancellation policy?

As there are often waiting lists for our experiences, please notify us at wsm@winshape.org as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend.

There is a $75 non-refundable administrative fee for every registration.

Up to 14 Days Before

Guests may cancel and receive a full refund, minus the $75 non-refundable fee. You may request a refund here.

Within 14 Days

Rescheduling is not permitted. Guests may transfer their reservation to another couple, but if this is not possible, all payments will be treated as a contribution to our Marriage Retreat scholarship fund and no longer available to be refunded.

Note: our Woven and Together in the Journey Marriage Retreats are non-refundable.

Looking to transfer to a different retreat date? Complete our Transfer Request form.

View More FAQs

Ready to Register?

Retreats fill quickly! Click the button below to complete your registration and secure your spot. If you have any questions or need assistance along the way, our team is here to help. You can reach us at 866-976-2774 or by email at wsm@winshape.org.

Premarital Retreat: Marriage Prep

Retreat Description

Key Takeaways

Retreat Cost

About the Speakers: Dr. David Bank & Gena Ellis

How It Works

Choose a Marriage Retreat

Register Online

Strengthen Your Marriage

Your Registration Includes:

FAQs

Where are you located?

What are the accommodations like?

What is the schedule during the retreat?

What can we do during our free time?

Do you provide counseling at Marriage Retreats?

What is your cancellation policy?

Ready to Register?

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