I Do

We’ve come to the beginning of an end. The beginning of an “us” and the end of just “me, me, me.” 

During the past eight weeks, I’ve covered different aspects of relationships: From meet-cute, commitment, pettiness, attraction, sex, lust/love, and now we are here for the deciding factor. For some of you, marriage may be on your menu. You’ve decided the search is over, you’ve found what you want, and you’re ready to say, “I do.” What next, you may ask? I got you. Here is a list of some of the things to prepare for:

The Proposal

This is the first big decision you’ll make.  It can be a big deal depending on your partner, so make it one to remember for both of you. It shows whether you’ve been paying attention to the subtle hints or you totally missed the signs. What do they expect? How will it happen? 

·         Private - hot air balloon, hotel rooftop; public- sporting event, park; mysterious- treasure hunt; holiday- Valentine's day, New Year's Eve;

·         Romantic-flowers, wine, violins, candles; 

·         Spontaneous- in the middle of a fun time, "pop the question, " or planned surprise- take out an ad in the local paper or on tv 
·         Destination- plan a getaway and propose over the intercom on the airplane or cruise ship;
·         At work- have co-workers/students to help hold signs spelling out the proposal

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Wedding Planning

Don’t plan to be engaged indefinitely! You should at least set a tentative date and work towards something rather than just be engaged with no date at all. Eloping is also an option. Regardless of what you do, work must be done and lots of it. Some things to consider:

·         Budget. Trust me, you’ll need it. Whether you spare no expense or penny pinch, a budget makes a huge difference.

·         A Wedding planner or will you embark on the task together?

·         Size matters! The earlier you decide on the number of attendees the better.

·         Location; church, banquet hall, garden, beach, destination, endless options to choose.

·         Bridal party; small or big. Think about your pictures.

·         Reception; DJ or live band; buffet or service; cash bar or free.

·         Gifts- Registries, monetary.

These are a few basic factor that goes into wedding planning. Whatever you decide, remember the wedding is only one day, and marriage is forever. Enjoy the journey, the moments and definitely each other. Make it a day you’ll never forget.

Honeymoon

The wedding is over, but your fun doesn't stop there. Time to relax, unwind, have lots of sex and enjoy each other. Yes, everyone expects couples to have sex on their honeymoon. So, do it at least once, just so you can say you did. 😊 

·        Exotic- Bora Bora, Bali, Cape Town, Morocco.  

·        Beaches- Florida, Caribbean, Thailand, Fiji, Hawaii. 

·         Adventurous- Galapagos Islands, Australia,  Iceland, Costa Rica.
·        Cruises 

·         Budget- City where you live, Las Vegas, Home. 
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Maybe you can’t afford to travel after the wedding, so you spend two nights at a hotel and return home the next day (my story). Just know how you spend your time matters more than where you spend it. If you are both happy, it sets the tone for the rest of your lives together. My mom used to say, “don’t hang your hat where your hand can’t reach.” Don't extend yourself unnecessarily. 

In-Laws

Some people believe you marry your spouse's  whole family, but it truly depends. Establish relationships with family members, especially with the people your spouse is close to. It erases awkward family gatherings and helps you feel at ease (even if you only know one person).  Remember these few tidbits:

·         Treat your in-laws with respect, establish boundaries and stick to them.

·         Don’t let outsiders run your marriage.

·        If you don't get along, try to; flood them with kindness.

·        If they constantly watch you, show them why your spouse marry you

·        Be courteous; schedule visits; respect each other's time. 

·         Make attempts to get along with sandpaper people don’t matter what. If you can’t, be cordial, respectful, and keep it moving.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my blogs as much as I have writing them! It was an interesting experience.

 If you are engaged, what steps have you taken to the big day? If you are married, what was your favorite moment from engagement to “I do.” Share your stories below.  I wish you peace, love, and happiness.