Private marriage intensives in Greenville, NC

Along with our main office near Charlotte, we hold private intensives near Greenville, in eastern North Carolina. Greenville is a little more rural and a little slower, while still being the largest city east of I-95 in the state, with a university, a major hospital, parks and miles of greenway along the Tar River. If a calmer setting appeals to you, it’s a good fit.

The retreat itself is the same as in Kannapolis: just the two of you and one counselor, the same structure, the same follow-up, and the same price. When you call, tell us which location is easier for you and we’ll let you know what’s available.

A simple plan for your trip

• Arrive the day before, leave the day after. Build in rest. Don’t land late, rush, and expect the first day to feel peaceful.
• Stay somewhere quiet. Ask for a room away from elevators and ice machines, with easy parking and simple food nearby.
• Clear the deck. Line up childcare, pet care and work coverage, and plan to be unreachable during retreat hours.
• Protect your privacy. Use a plain calendar title like “out of town,” and skip social posts and check-ins.

Coming from Virginia

Greenville is our closest location to Richmond and Hampton Roads. See our travel guide for couples coming from Richmond, Virginia.

If you live nearby

Even if you live close, we strongly recommend staying in a hotel. It takes you away from chores, kids, pets, TV and the thousand small distractions at home, so you can focus on each other. Couples have a much fuller experience when they do.

If you’d like to stay a little longer

Some couples add a quiet extra day after the retreat before heading home. Greenville’s greenway and town commons are good for an easy walk together. If you truly want to slow down, the historic waterfront town of Washington, North Carolina (“Little Washington,” founded in 1776) is a short drive east, with a riverside path, a marina, shops and restaurants, and kayaks or boats to take out on the water.

Getting here

Nearest airport: Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV), with daily flights from Charlotte. Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) is about 1 hour 30 minutes by car and has direct flights from all over the country.

• Raleigh, NC: about 1 hour 30 minutes
• Wilmington, NC: about 2 hours
• Norfolk, VA: about 2 hours 30 minutes
• Richmond, VA: about 2 hours 45 minutes
• Charlotte, NC: about 3 hours 45 minutes

Where to stay nearby

Lodging is not included, and that works in your favor: because you are the only couple, you choose where you stay and what fits your budget. After you schedule, we send you a list of hotels close to your counselor's office.

Look for a quiet, businesslike hotel rather than a busy destination, ask for a room away from elevators and ice machines, and choose somewhere with easy parking and simple food nearby.

What to expect when you arrive

Each retreat day is about four hours with your counselor, followed by about two to two and a half hours of homework (except the final day). Many couples feel tired by the end of the day, in a good way, so plan for quiet evenings and good rest.

We ask couples to stop discussing their issues about a week before arriving, and to save those conversations for the retreat.

Local questions