Pre marital counseling

I really don't want to start a debate on religion (everyone us entitled to their opinion but I hate when fights break out and people get snappy)

So please don't make a comment like "religion is stupid" or "you shouldn't waste your time with it" that kind of stuff.

My boyfriend and I are both Chrisitians and a lot of people we know and are friends with - both believers and non believers - have suggested pre marriage counseling.

What are your thoughts about just counseling before you get married? Is that strange? I mean i have (naively) always associated counseling with perhaps substance abuse or even marriage problems...not something you do before you actually get married. Thoughts on it?