Virtual Weekend Couple Expectations
Below are the expectations for couples attending a Virtual Sacramento Engaged Encounter Weekend. Please review them to prepare for the best possible experience for you and your fiance.
Availability
- The time and attention commitment for a virtual weekend is the same as a traditional weekend
- Make arrangements as if you were going away for the length of the weekend
- Work
- Pets
- Childcare
- Other things that would demand your attention
- You will be online for the duration of the scheduled weekend times
- Schedule of the Weekend
Friday evening: 7:00 PM to 10:15 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM**
Sunday: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM**
**Meal breaks for lunch and dinner will be approximately 45 minutes
Technology
- Reliable internet service is required – high speed internet preferred
- You will need a device with a webcam (a cell phone is not recommended)
- You can share this device as a couple, or each use your own
- Our preference is sharing a device to make our logistics easier
- Please make sure your device is charged/plugged in
- We will be using Zoom to run the weekend
- Prior to the weekend, please download Zoom Client for Meetings: https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting
- We will do a check in on the Wednesday prior to the weekend at 7:00 PM
- We will send a separate email with a link for this check-in
- We anticipate the test run will last no longer than 45 minutes
- All couples must be present for this check in
Presenting yourselves online
- Please dress as if we were meeting in person
- Be mindful of your background
- Arrange a comfortable workspace
- We recommend sitting in chairs at a table or desk
- Lying in bed would be inappropriate
Structure of the weekend
- The weekend will consist of cycles of listening to a presentation, writing to your fiancé, and sharing with your fiancé.
- Each cycle is 60-90 minutes
- During presenting times:
- A married couple and priest will share on a specific topic
- Both of you will need to be onscreen for the length of the presentation
- You should have your workbooks with you during each presentation as you will be expected to write in them during many of the presentations
- Workbooks will be mailed to the bride’s address one week prior to the weekend start date
- If you do not receive your workbook, contact us at registration@sacee.org
- During writing times:
- You will be asked to separate to write – preferably in different rooms
- One of you will need to remain on camera during the writing time while you write
- During sharing times:
- Please be sure your microphone is muted
- You can turn off your video if you wish
- Be in view of your computer so you will know when time is up – we will be using a timer