A key difference between Prepare/Enrich and the Couples Survey in The Pre-Marriage Course is the involvement of a more mature married couple who can serve as a positive role model for the couple preparing for marriage. Many young couples lack a strong support network, so these support couples take an active interest, share their experiences, and model a healthy, lifelong marriage. They invite the couple into their home for a meal and facilitate conversations using the survey report as a guide.
Prepare/Enrich provides a validated assessment covering many aspects of a relationship—such as communication, conflict resolution, family dynamics, finances, and spiritual beliefs—with tailored feedback reports. It’s more data-driven and aimed at identifying specific strengths and growth areas.
In contrast, the Couples Survey in the Pre-Marriage Course is designed to be more reflective and conversational with a married couple. It’s intended to spark meaningful discussions with an experienced couple who can share wisdom, stories, and support, rather than provide scored or detailed feedback.
There is a training video available about the Couples Survey and Support Couple Training HERE, plus an older, more detailed video here. Both are worth watching to understand how the Support Couple and the Couples Survey work together. The main idea is the Support Couple’s role in guiding and encouraging the couple through open, honest dialogue.
When you’re logged into Marriage Builder, select "Supporting Tools," then scroll down to "Resources for Support Couples." There, you will find some helpful samples of the Couples Survey. Take your time reviewing the material, as it explains the Couples Survey and how a Support Couple is key.