Plan your launch event

It's time to plan your event whether it’s a Valentine’s dinner, cocktail night, summer BBQ or salsa dancing party. Invite married and cohabiting couples to a relaxed, informal dinner that gives them a ‘taste’ of The Marriage Course.

Remember the key ingredients to a successful launch event

  • Superb atmosphere
  • Great food
  • Entertaining talk
  • Personal stories

A few helpful things to consider when you plan the evening

  • Decorations
    1. Candles, twinkly lights, flowers and chocolates are great for a romantic ambiance
    2. A menu card adds to the special atmosphere
  • Music
    1. Live band or recorded background music
  • Food and drink
    1. Decide on either a 2 or 3 course meal
    2. Who will cook: your team, a caterer or will you negotiate a deal with a restaurant or café?
    3. Are drinks included or should guests bring their own?
    4. You may also want to consider charging a fee for the night to cover the cost for the meal.
  • Talk - The Marriage Course party talk – an essential ingredient of the evening
    1. Do it live or show all or part of the DVD
  • Personal Stories
    1. It’s great for your guests to hear from couples who have done the course before. Your couples need to have a good story! It doesn’t need to be dramatic but something that shows that a particular session was effective and or helpful.
    2. It’s good to get different couples to represent different demographics and ethnic backgrounds – for example try picking an older couple, a middle-aged couple and a younger couple. Think about choosing a couple who were in trouble but they can now see a way to improve their relationship, a couple who were happy but have seen the benefits.

Download a more detailed checklist and example schedule to help you run a successful launch event.

Make sure every couple leaves with several invitation postcards with information about your next Marriage Course, have your hosting team hand them out as people leave.

Follow up

A few days after your event, send a card or make a phone call to thank guests for coming to your event and invite them to The Marriage Course, starting soon near them.

 

Event Checklist
Example Timings