Every couple deserves space to step away from daily pressures and focus on their relationship. That’s why marriage retreats have grown in popularity. In 2025, you’ll find retreats for nearly every stage of a relationship—whether you’re engaged, happily married but wanting growth, discerning whether to stay together, or in full-blown crisis.
Some retreats are scheduled group events held on set dates, while others—like private marriage intensives—can be booked on demand. At The Marriage Restoration Project, we offer both: group retreats scheduled throughout the year and private intensives available year-round for couples who need immediate support.
As a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, and ordained Rabbi with over 20 years of experience, I’ve worked with couples across all stages. My work has been featured in Business Insider, AARP, and The Baltimore Sun. Again and again, I’ve seen how the right retreat at the right time can be life-changing.
Types of Marriage Retreats in 2025
1. Premarital & Newlywed Retreats
These retreats help engaged or newly married couples build strong foundations—communication, expectations, and conflict prevention. Research shows premarital education can reduce divorce risk and increase satisfaction over time.
2. Enrichment Retreats (Making a Good Marriage Great)
Even strong marriages need care. Enrichment retreats give couples a chance to recharge, strengthen intimacy, and reconnect outside of daily distractions.
3. Discernment Retreats (Should We Stay Together?)
When couples feel stuck between staying and leaving, discernment retreats provide space for clarity. The focus isn’t on pushing one decision but on helping both partners decide together with confidence.
4. Crisis Retreats (Marriage in Trouble)
When betrayal, infidelity, or deep disconnection threaten the marriage, weekly counseling can feel too slow. Crisis retreats compress months of therapy into days. Studies on Imago therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) show intensive formats can rapidly reduce distress.
5. Christian & Faith-Based Retreats
Faith-based retreats weave prayer, scripture, and shared values into the process. They’re ideal for couples wanting to strengthen both marriage and faith.
6. Non-Religious & Secular Retreats
Secular retreats emphasize communication skills and evidence-based tools. Our retreats are secular by design, but because I’m also an ordained Rabbi, some couples request that I integrate biblical or spiritual insights. I offer this only when asked, so every couple feels comfortable—whether faith-centered or not.
7. Luxury Destination Retreats
These retreats combine travel, wellness, and relationship enrichment. While not always clinical, they provide space for renewal in restorative environments.
8. Online & Virtual Retreats
Virtual retreats make relationship help more accessible in 2025. Couples who can’t travel or arrange childcare can still benefit from structured tools, though they lack the immersion of in-person events.
9. Group Retreats (Scheduled Dates)
Group retreats bring multiple couples together for shared learning. These events are scheduled on specific dates throughout the year. They are great for couples who enjoy community learning and want to plan ahead.
10. Private Marriage Intensives (On Demand)
Private intensives are fully customized and scheduled around your needs. At The Marriage Restoration Project, our 2-Day Intensive compresses 8–9 months of therapy into one weekend. We help couples break negative cycles, rebuild trust, and reconnect. Intensives are ideal for couples in crisis, post-affair, or those stuck after traditional counseling.
Marriage Retreat vs. Marriage Intensive: What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference between a marriage retreat and a marriage intensive comes down to privacy and scheduling.
| Feature | Marriage Retreat (Group) | Marriage Intensive (Private) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Group, multiple couples | Private, just you and a therapist |
| Scheduling | Fixed dates (plan ahead) | On demand, year-round availability |
| Privacy | Shared learning environment | 100% confidential, personalized |
| Focus | General tools & enrichment | Deep breakthroughs, crisis repair |
| Best For | Couples who enjoy community learning, premarital or enrichment | Couples in crisis, post-affair recovery, or stuck after traditional counseling |
- Marriage Retreats are typically group experiences. Multiple couples attend together on specific dates, learning relationship tools side by side. They’re great for couples who enjoy shared learning, community, and can plan ahead.
- Marriage Intensives are private, one-on-one experiences. A licensed therapist works exclusively with one couple for two full days (or longer), creating a safe and personalized environment for breakthroughs. Unlike retreats, intensives are available on demand, so couples in crisis don’t have to wait for a scheduled date.
That’s it: group vs. private, scheduled vs. on demand. If you want immediate, customized support, an intensive is the best fit. If you’re looking for a group setting and are available for the scheduled dates, a retreat may be right for you.
Where We Host Retreats
Couples travel from all over the U.S. for our intensives. Many come from:
- Baltimore & Washington, DC
- Philadelphia & New York City
- Los Angeles & Miami
Our group retreats take place on scheduled dates in Baltimore and sometimes Costa Rica. Meanwhile, our private intensives are available year-round and can be arranged wherever you are in any of our locations—whether you’re local or flying in. We also support couples virtually if travel isn’t possible.
Key Takeaways
- Marriage retreats in 2025 serve all stages: premarital, enrichment, crisis, discernment, and long-term growth.
- Group retreats are scheduled events with multiple couples; private intensives are on demand and fully private.
- Faith-based retreats strengthen spiritual bonds; secular retreats focus on evidence-based tools.
- Couples travel nationwide for intensives, with many flying into Baltimore, DC, Philly, and NYC.
- Virtual options make retreats more accessible for busy couples.
- Private intensives are the fastest path to breakthroughs when a marriage is in crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Retreats are group-based on set dates. Intensives are private, on demand, and personalized.
Group retreats typically cost $300–$1,500. Private intensives usually range from $5,000–$8,000 depending on length and follow-up support.
Yes. They’re convenient and accessible, and we find they give couples much of the same benefit, including the camaraderie of working together in a group setting.
Couples who want to integrate prayer, scripture, and faith into their relationship work.
Our retreats are secular, but couples sometimes request biblical or spiritual integration. This is optional and only provided in a private intensive when asked.
Yes. Premarital retreats focus on communication, expectations, and conflict prevention. All of our programs are perfectly positioned for premarital couples.
Our group retreats run on specific dates. Our private 2-day intensives are available year-round, so you don’t have to wait for help.
Yes. Many couples attend from cities like Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles. Others travel to join us for intensives or connect virtually.
Sources
- Johnson, S. (2008). Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. Little, Brown Spark.
- Hendrix, H. (2007). Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples. Holt Paperbacks.
- Gottman, J., & Gottman, J. (2015). 10 Principles for Doing Effective Couples Therapy. Norton.
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Couple Therapy Effectiveness Summary.
- Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Christensen, A., & Johnson, S. (2012). Research on the Treatment of Couple Distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1), 145–168.
