While marriage and weddings are exciting, they’re also full of challenges and stressors that aren’t always fun to think about in the middle of planning your wedding. If you’re having trouble getting along with your partner and have decided that marriage counseling isn’t right for you, marriage intensives might be the solution you need to put the love and happiness back in your relationship before the big day comes around. What are marriage intensives? Here are four reasons why they can help your marriage thrive and four signs that they might be right for you.

You’re struggling in your marriage

Have you been struggling in your marriage lately? If so, maybe it’s time to take a step back and do some self-reflection. There are many reasons why marriages might struggle, but one of the best ways to fix these issues is by taking a break together. One solution is through couples retreats, also known as marriage intensives. This can help couples regain that spark they once had and help them find solutions together.

You want to save your marriage

If you and your partner are struggling to get along or if you’re just feeling stuck in a rut, marriage intensives might be the solution. These intensive weekends offer an opportunity to work on your marriage with the help of experts. As couples retreats, they can help couples fix their relationship problems in a matter of days.

You want to improve your communication

If you’re looking to improve your communication in a relationship, attending a couples retreat might be just the thing. Couples retreats are designed to help you get on the same page about everything from finances and goals, to parenting and sex. Plus, there are usually activities and workshops that allow you to take time out of your busy schedule to focus on just being together as a couple.

If this sounds like something you want in your life, keep reading.

You want to understand your spouse better

This is why couples retreats are so popular. A marriage intensive is a great way to get to know your spouse better, and learn how you can fix what’s broken in the relationship. There are many different types of intensives out there, but you should look into one that includes time with a therapist-like figure. This will give you an opportunity to have the discussion that you need to have without the pressure of an argument or heated disagreement. Plus, this type of activity will really open up new conversations between the two of you and help you feel more comfortable with one another after it’s over.

You want to learn new skills

If you want to learn new skills, but don’t have the time or money for a formal education, marriage intensives are a fantastic option. These are couples retreats that offer an entire weekend of classes on marriage enrichment. Topics range from communication and conflict resolution to financial planning and parenting. Couples spend 3-5 hours each day in class with the rest of the time being free to explore the city or relax at the hotel. Intensive weekends can also be tailored more specifically to your needs such as a relationship intensive or an intensive focused on religious faith. The list goes on!