Paula Holt

Paula’s interest in marriage preparation began when I noticed a lack of easily accessible information and tools. Beyond some faith-based prep and a limited number of therapists offering premarital counseling, there was little available to help couples plan for their marriage and not just their wedding.

So, she set out to grow her knowledge in the field by obtaining multiple certifications in marriage education programs including:

  • The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

  • Couple Communication™

  • Prepare/Enrich

  • Bringing Baby Home

As a part of her self-directed training, she consulted numerous couples counselors, and later developed a Practically Married program to assist therapists in working with premarital couples.

She also launched the award-winning blog Marital Musings, wrote a column for the wedding inspiration platform Style Me Pretty, and has become a frequent speaker and contributor to publications and podcasts.

Prior to working in the marriage preparation field, Paula graduated from Stanford University and earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

“Paula’s training and research has provided her with a collective understanding of how to best help couples address the important questions before marriage so they can begin with a solid supportive foundation from which to grow.”

-Jocelyn Elderkin, MA, LMFT, Soleil Counseling

get to know paula

I’m a wife, mother of two, Chicagoan, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For fun I read nonfiction, drink red wine with friends, and listen to podcasts. I’m also an aspiring tennis player and a beast on the dance floor (if I do say so myself).