Celebration of Love Couples Retreat
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
DATE: NOV 1-8, 2025
An intimate experience designed for busy, professional couples, ready to unplug from day-to-day life and reconnect with their spouse.
Anyone can be married…But not everyone is happily married!!
Join us for a transformative experience that will help you feel loved, deepen your connection, and strengthen the bond in your marriage!
DATE: NOVEMBER 1-8, 2025
The Celebration of Love Couples Retreat helps busy professional couples press the PAUSE BUTTON of life so they can make space for each other to feel seen and loved, while learning skills to nurture and UP-LEVEL their relationship. Couples are free from the day to day distractions and the responsibilities of life so they can unilaterally focus on each other and their marriage.
This transformative experience takes place annually in a beautiful, fun, romantic, international destination that provides a safe haven for couples to deepen their love, emotional connection and intimacy alongside a community of like-minded couples.
Facilitated by: Jared Kiddoe, MD and Kaara Kiddoe, LCSW
Co-Founders of Authentic Marriages
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: SAVE YOUR SPOT!
J. HOLMES
“Authentic Marriages has done it again! They curated a fun and impactful retreat to energize and encourage your marriage. The workshop content sparked introspection and gave us tools to build stronger marriages. The customized "touches" throughout the retreat made you feel the love and care that they put into planning the event.”
Can you relate?
You hustle and grind everyday for your family by working exceptionally hard in your career to climb the corporate ladder…
You somehow manage to “do it all” with very little support because you live away from your family…
You find yourself going through the routines of life with your spouse that you end up feeling like roommates living parallel lives…
You feel tired and drained and have very little left to give…You don’t even have time for yourself, much less your spouse…
You come home late from work and end up missing dinner with your spouse and kids…
You feel burnt out and depleted! By the time you get home you are exhausted and just want to go to bed…
Between your demanding career, family, demands of life and limited support, your marriage unfortunately took a back seat! This leaves you feeling deprioritized and emotionally disconnected from your spouse.
Are you ready to experience a Couples Retreat like no other!!?
This is a space for busy professional couples to retreat and connect with their spouse so they can recharge their relationship!
Join Us for a KID FREE VACATION! Because the truth is, sometimes life just gets busy! Between work and family obligations we can find ourselves feeling disconnected with our partner and left simply craving one-on-one time with each other…YOU DESERVE THIS!
Imagine flying to a tropical paradise where you leave ALLLLLL your responsibilities behind to relax and reconnect with your partner while learning skills to take your relationship to the next level!
Are you ready to reignite the spark in your marriage and feel seen, heard and loved by your partner? Are you ready to deepen your emotional connection and cultivate deeper intimacy?
Imagine...
Flying to a tropical paradise where you leave ALLLLLLLLLL your responsibilities behind to relax and reconnect with your partner while learning skills to take your relationship to the next level!
Long after the retreat is over you feel loved and seen by your partner. You feel like you are a priority to your partner! You have regular points of connection built into your day.
What it feels like to no longer feel disconnected and distant, like two ships sailing pass each other. Instead, you have rituals of connection in your relationship that leaves you feeling loved and desired again!
You are able to communicate your wants and needs effectively. Without feeling stressed, frustrated or angry. You feel understood and can easily compromise on most things.
What it would feel like to prioritize your selfcare…to find time to take care of yourself and not be running on empty! Imagine creating space in your relationship for this!
Expanding your network and community so you are no longer doing marriage alone.
You can finally exhale…
Count me in!
The Celebration of Love Couples Retreat retreat is designed and facilitated by international relationship experts and licensed couples therapist, Dr. Jared Kiddoe and Kaara Kiddoe, LCSW. Together they use their relationship expertise, humor, passion for fun and adventure, and Caribbean hospitality to guide you through relationship building activities, engaging couples workshops, experiential learning, and group coaching to support you in taking your relationship to the next level.
The Celebration of Love Couples Retreat takes care of all the travel planning details so couples simply have to pack their bags, show up and be poured into. This is your opportunity to put on your oxygen mask and replenish your emotional love tank.
J. DAVIS
Authentic Marriages has been such a gift to my husband and I, we are so grateful for the couples that attend and offer wisdom, laughter, and a community committed to honoring marriage and faith. We are three retreats in and so impressed by the intention and commitment of the Authentic Marriage team!
What you will gain…
Fun and Bonding: Couples will reignite fun into their relationship and have the opportunity to enjoy each other in a relaxed environment so they can reconnect emotionally and physically with their spouse.
Communication Strategies: Couples will learn to communicate their needs effectively and feel seen and heard by their partner.
Rituals of Connection: Couples will develop a plan to build small moments of connection throughout the week. Couples will understand that their relationship cannot function on auto-pilot and they will have to invest time and energy to maintain their relationship.
Practical strategies: Couples will be given relationship tools that will strengthen their bond and improve their relationship long term.
Community: We believe that marriage should not be done alone. Having a community of like-minded couples to support your relationship is essential for the growth and long term success of your marriage. The retreat offers a space where couples can connect with like-minded couples and foster relationships that exist long after the retreat is over.
Reprioritize your Marriage: couples will reprioritize their relationship that will result in making major changes to how they currently do life. Couples will reevaluate their schedule to ensure they have continued time and space to connect with each other long after the retreat is over.
Couples will leave feeling deeply emotionally connected with their spouse and aligned in their vision for their marriage. Couples will feel seen, heard and loved by their partner.
Get Ready To:
Build a deeper connection with your partner…
Go on a fun adventure you have never experienced before…
Have the time of your life with other like minded couples…
SIGN UP FOR THE RETREAT and give your relationship the gift of love, intimacy and connection!
What others are saying…
D. LAING
The hearts of Jared and Kaara Kiddoe are revealed in the attention to detail: Each experience was customized and very thoughtful. It was more than I expected… I felt seen. I felt valued. I felt as though this retreat was tailored especially for me. Jared and Kaara’s expertise and love of God are evident in the presentations. The content of the presentations provide a framework for normal marital challenges uniquely experienced in each marriage. And, the camaraderie is bar none!
J. Berry
Okay! Wow! The celebration of love retreat was so thoughtfully planned, beautifully executed, actionable and fun! Kaara and Jared’s passion for equipping couples, making connections and ensuring everyone has a great time is evident in every single exceptionally crafted detail!
SAY NO MORE! I’M IN!
About Authentic Marriages:
Authentic marriages provides a safe space for couples to learn the skills needed to build emotionally healthy marriages while expanding and strengthening your community. Creating emotionally and spiritually healthy marriages in the Black community is core to the mission and vision of authentic Marriages. Authentic Marriages provides expert relationship guidance to help couples reconnect with their partner so that they can transform their marriages.
Does this sound familar?
Do you crave having alone time with your partner?
Is life so busy you don’t have the time or energy to go on a date?
Are you thinking, “We know we need this time…yet it’s so hard to make it a priority because of all the demands of kids and our careers”?
Do you feel your partner is putting their career above your marriage?
Do you feel like you are not a priority in your partner’s life?
Do you feel lonely in your marriage?
Does your relationship feel imbalanced?
Do you feel you are drifting apart?
Do you feel you are business partners vs life partners?
Do you consistently feel tired, stressed and disconnected from your partner?
Do you feel your partner does not know you the way they used to?
If you have answered YES to any of these questions, then this retreat is for you!!
This retreat is for you if:
You love your partner, and you are fully committed to your marriage…
You are ready to deepen your emotional connection and UPLEVEL your marriage…
You desire to be part of a strong community of like-minded couples, geared towards building and strengthening marriages…
SAVE YOUR SPOT!
K. TINSLEY
The Authentic Marriage Retreat was a fantastic time that was both uplifting and fun. The retreat mixes relaxation, fun, and education, all into one. One of the best times and greatest experiences!
What’s included ?
Accommodations: Six nights of luxury villa accommodations, VIP will have 7 nights of luxury villa accommodation.
Select Meals: Welcome dinner, celebration dinner, and meals otherwise noted in the itinerary
Roundtrip ground airport transportation: Receive roundtrip transfers to and from the villa
Retreat Activities: Throughout the retreat you will be immersed in a thoughtful itinerary that allows space for learning, fun activities, connecting with other couples and ample time for exploration, rest and relaxation. It includes a welcome mixer, couples workshop sessions, experiential couple activities, and intimate discussions designed to foster emotional intimacy, enhance communication, and reignite the spark in your relationship. The retreat culminates with a Celebration of Love dinner where we celebrate our love in style!
Group Outing: Enjoy a new, fun cultural experience with your partner as we explore local sites
Connect in Community: Meet a community of like minded couples who are on the same journey of building and strengthening their marriages!
Pre-Retreat Workshop: Get to know attendees before the retreat! Arrive as strangers and leave as friends!
Fun surprises: Lookout for elements of fun surprises throughout the retreat to enhance your experience!
What’s included VIP
One extra night of villa accommodations: A total of 7 nights are included in the VIP package.
Bonus VIP Couples Workshops: Participate in an intimate small group coaching to receive additional support. Designed for couples who desire deeper work to further enhance their connection. Receive access to exclusive marriage workshop content for VIP only. There will be in-depth content to help your marriage, discussions, reflection exercises, and couples homework.
Private Dinner & Welcome Mixer: Arrive a day early and enjoy a private dinner and welcome mixer with the retreat hosts
What’s not included?
Round-trip flights to retreat destination
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Gratuity for airport transfers, spa treatments, off site excursions & off site restaurants
Travel insurance: We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your purchase
Meet your hosts:
Dr. Jared Kiddoe is a double boarded Adult, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and Kaara Kiddoe is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Couples Therapist. Together we bring over 20 years of combined professional experience specializing in treating individuals with trauma and helping couples grow their relationship.
We use our specialized training in most effective therapy (Emotionally Focused Couples therapy) to provide couples with tips, tools and exercises that are guaranteed to strengthen their relationship. We combine faith with therapy to provide the best of both worlds in helping couples feel seen and loved by their partner. Our gift in holding and creating a safe space helps couples share vulnerably and authentically with each other. Our Caribbean hospitality is icing on the cake, allowing all participants to feel welcomed! Participants come as strangers and leave as family!
“This retreat provides what we wish we had for our marriage as we were trying to figure it out on our own…A community of people who look like us…with aligned values and goals…and expert guidance promoting healthy marriages. The COL retreat takes our passion for healthy marriages, love for travel, and clinical skills in couples therapy and marries those elements to create a one of a kind retreat! ”
We have so many romantic and exciting things planned for you! We can’t wait to see you there! Our local hosts will bring Caribbean hospitality like you have never experienced. You have not traveled until you have traveled the local way! Get ready for a romantic adventure as we take ‘bae-cationing’ to another level!
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You don’t like to travel internationally!
You don’t enjoy sun, sand and sea
You are not interested in growing your relationship
You are in a verbally or physically abusive relationship . Please seek individual therapy.
You are on the brink of divorce. While we pride ourselves in helping couples achieve deeper intimacy and bonds in their relationship, this retreat is for couples in a seriously committed relationship. Please consider booking a couples intensive coaching program or couples therapy if you require immediate help.
You if you and your partner are not on speaking terms.
Please feel free to email us to discuss the appropriateness for one of our couples coaching groups.
You have more than one partner or you are in a polyamorous relationship.
You are uncomfortable with the traditional confines of marriage as defined by Christianity/Bible.
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A boring workshop or conference.
A class you will sit in all-day
A place to air “dirty laundry” or speak ill of your partner
Group therapy (Please visit our coaching group page if you would like additional support)
A conservative Christian camp…You will not be preached to or beaten over the head with a Bible. Rather you will be given great information that combines both biblical concepts with mental health concepts. We pride ourselves on being able to combine our personal and professional backgrounds to encourage and uplift you.
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Enhance and grow your relationship
Connect deeply with your partner
Build intimacy and romance
Enhance your communication
Spend quality time with your partner
Have fun while relaxing with your partner
Take a well-deserved BREAK!
Slow down and disconnect from technology
Have a stress-free vacation with every detail planned for you
Savor the ocean waves
Experience true Caribbean hospitality!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Round-trip flights from the USA to Cape Town, South Africa (Airport code: CPT)
Additional services, tours and spa treatments not mentioned
Travel Insurance (We highly recommended purchasing travel insurance!)
Gratuityfor airport transfers drivers, tours take on your own (drivers and tour guides), hotel staff (butler and spa attendants).
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All payments are non-refundable. See Terms and Conditions for more details.
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We are not able to accommodate extra nights of accommodation at the villa. You are welcome to extend your stay on your own and make your own travel arrangements.
Based on interest of retreat participants, we can plan a 2-3 night safari. Please note your interest in adding a safari on the retreat interest form.
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The retreat prices posted on this website are per PERSON! Your retreat package includes 5 star villa accommodations (6 or 7 nights depending on the package you select), airport transportation, a group outing and all retreat activities.
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The VIP experience is an up-level experience specifically designed for couples who desire to more relationship enrichment and time to enhance their marriage.The VIP Experience includes:
One additional night of villa accommodations (7 nights total)
VIP Couples will arrive Saturday November 1, 2025 instead of Sunday November 2, 2025
A private dinner and mixer
Bonus VIP workshops and small group coaching
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See below for a tentative itinerary (subject to change)
A detailed Itinerary will be provided 14 days prior to the retreat.
Saturday Nov 1: VIP Welcome dinner and mixer
Sunday Nov 2: VIP group coaching sessions, Retreat welcome reception and mixer
Monday Nov 3: Couples connection workshop, explore on your own
Tuesday Nov 4: A day of fun and adventure group outing, men’s only/women’s only break out session
Wednesday Nov 5: Couples connection workshop, explore on your own
Thursday Nov 6: A day of adventure
Friday Nov 7: A day of adventure on your own, Celebration of Love Dinner
Saturday Nov 8: Farewell or extend your stay
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CPT - Capetown International Airport
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VISAS are NOT required.
VALID PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months for the duration of your stay.
For example: If you arrive July 5, 2025, your passport must be valid until January 5, 2026.
SPACE IS LIMITED! SECURE YOUR EARLY BIRD RATE TODAY!
*Please note there are no refunds for registrations*
Please review our full Terms and Conditions here before reserving your spot with us! You can view the Terms and Conditions here and before you finalize your purchase.