Annual Planning for Couples (Pilot Experience)

A practical, half-day for couples to align on values, time, finances, and goals for the year ahead.

Why this exists:

Most couples want to feel aligned, but… life moves too fast.

Children, work, friendships, travel, and finances become scenarios to react to instead of plan for.

For the last 10 years, Mike and I have done a dedicated Annual Planning Day for our marriage. It’s become the anchor day that keeps us aligned, intentional, and on the same team.

This pilot brings that process (a light version!) to couples in a structured, guided, and encouraging format.

What You’ll Walk Away With

By the end of the session, you and your spouse will have:

  • A shared set of family values

  • Clarity on your “family season” and the boundaries you need

  • A map of your key relationships and where to invest this year

  • A draft plan for time, vacations, and big commitments

  • A simplified view of your financial picture

  • A short list of individual and shared goals for 2026

  • Tools to repeat this process on your own each year

This is not marriage counseling or conflict resolution training, nor is it really about emotional health.

It is structured reflection and planning with your real life in mind.

About Us

We’re Mike & Bri Semmel, married 10 years in the DC area with 3 kids under 5.

Our marriage theme has always been #TeamSemmel. We each have a lot of energy, a lot of personal goals and interests, and it’s important to us that we remain a team in the midst of a busy, full life with a lot of moving pieces.

Our commitment to annual planning has paid off over the past 10 years in so many ways! It helps us root for each other, makes space for us to voice hopes and concerns, gives us language for what’s important, and is an anchor when we disagree on what’s best.

We believe planning is important for singles and couples! The vision for this initial pilot is to test tools, templates, and flow. Our hope is to build a more robust offering and begin to offer that in the Fall of 2026 with feedback from this pilot incorporated.

The Particulars

  • Pilot Format

    Saturday, February 7th | 9AM - 1PM in Falls Church, VA

    Light pre-work for both spouses will be assigned in advance.

    During our time together, we’ll walk through guided modules, individual reflection, and couples working sessions.

  • Childcare

    If you’d like to take advantage of childcare, your kids are welcome to join ours with trusted (background checked) sitters at our house.

    We would ask that you contribute ~$7/hour per child.

  • Pricing

    Because this is a pilot, this is a pay-what-you-can event. Your feedback will help shape the full version of this offering for future couples!

    This type of event is usually $200-800. Our suggested donation is $100 per couple to help cover expenses.

Let us know you’re interested!

Whether you’re on the fence or all in, let us know you’re interested using the form below. Include any questions you have and we’ll respond within 24 hours.

FAQs

  • Ideally, yes! We’re targeting February 7th because we believe you’ll need some prep time individually in January to help make this event impactful for you and your spouse together.

  • You and your spouse have the liberty to choose what role faith plays in your planning. For us, faith is an integral part of our values & beliefs, but the tools we use are not aligned with a particular faith.

  • Potentially! The modules are designed for couples but depending on interest, we’d love to have you participate. Please contact us if this is of interest to you.

  • We have a group of trusted (and background checked) care givers on hand to watch our kids during this session. We would love to have your kids join ours if it makes your life easier! Please indicate your kids’ ages in the form when you contact us if this is of interest to you.