COUPLES spend months planning their wedding day but little time planning for married life.
That is why Thrive Community Church at Caringbah will have a five-week preparing for marriage course starting April 30.
Pastor Dan Hardie and his wife Jools, who are in their 30s, will be course hosts.
"No one sets out to get married then split, but with close to a 50 per cent divorce rate in our country, preparing for marriage could be the best investment they [couples] make," Mr Hardie said.
"Jools and I were greatly helped in our engagement and early married years with counselling and a marriage course that helped us work through some of our conflicts and differences."
The course will cover relationship expectations, conflict resolution and families.
It is open to people outside of the church.
Australian couples including those in same-sex relationships will be allowed to apply for $200 "relationship vouchers" from July 1, with the federal government confirming the start date of the 12-month trial.
Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews said the scheme would "help couples achieve a greater degree of happiness and stability and thereby a better environment for their children".
Thrive Community describes itself as "a young modern church with a big focus on serving the local community and helping irreligious people wrestle with issues of life and faith".
Registration/details: thrivecommunity.com