Monday, September 29, 2014

10 Ways to Keep the Romance Alive as You Plan Your Wedding

There are few thing more exciting than beginning to plan your wedding. But guess what? Before long, all that planning can be anything but sexy for the couple-to-be. So while you're going through all those contracts, fittings, and tastings? Make sure to make time for your S.O. (and relationship) too. Here are 10 Lover.ly-tested and approved ways to keep the love light burning 'til the big day arrives.
 
 
Cool Palm Springs Engagement Shoot | Chaz Cruz Photography | Bridal Musings Wedding Blog 18
 
 
1. Make a date night. And no, couples’ therapy isn’t date night. Happy hour with your alumni crew isn’t date night. Sitting on the couch every night with takeout isn't date night. Date nights are two people plus a plan—a plan that they stick to. Whether they are weekly or monthly, date nights are a snapshot of what you’ll be doing for the rest of your lives. Might as well get good at it, right? If you’re stumped for inspiration, check out our 20 date ideas under $20.
 
 
2. Go old school. Look back through your texts, Instagrams, and gushy emails to friends from those early dating days and relive some of your best moments—and date nights—all over again. (Bonus points for actually showing your partner those aforementioned gushy text messages!)
 
 
3. Get good at staying in. Kitchensurfing and Kitchit, and similar sites serve up personal chefs, cooking instructors, and dinner parties on demand. Plated and Blue Apron bring gourmet meals (and pre-portioned specialty ingredients) to your door. All that's left to do is take off your shoes (and anything else that seems right) and get down to business.
 
 
4. Include each other. Now’s the time to test the waters of hanging out as a unit. Loop your partner in on a few formerly single-friend activities if they’re interested. Plan some double dates. In a perfect world, coupledom should enrich both of your social lives, not totally undo them. (Sounds pretty sexy, right?)
 
 
5. Nest. After the wedding, “nesting activities” sometimes go by another name: chores. Before you’re hitched, however, treat them as the new partner-y, couple-y endeavors that they are. Host a painting party! Spackle and dance party to your heart’s content! It’s totally fun! (And it won’t always feel that way.)
 
 
6. Get healthy together. Guess what? Most gyms, wellness centers, and sports leagues don’t require a marriage certificate to sign you up as a couple right this minute. So get movin’ and have fun! Regular sweat sessions will also help stave off wedding
 
 
7. Take a "mini-moon" now. Whether it’s a staycation, a day trip, or one last three-day weekend hurrah between now and your big day, taking time is key to staying in sync. Don’t wait until the honeymoon to block out the outside world and just be together.
 
 
8. Drop your “fiancĂ©” status like it’s going out of style. You only have so long to use the “f” word. Planes, trains, dinner reservation lines…they’re all fair game for working in the phrase “We just got engaged!” and seeing where it gets you. And hey, if it gets you nothing more than “Congrats!” and a smile, that’s fine too.
 
 
9. Rediscover the city where you fell in love. Scoutmob and Peek are excellent sites for cruising local experiences (some of which you couldn’t access on your own) at a steal. From underground jazz clubs and after hours museum nights to public lectures and walking tours, nerding out a’deux has never been so romantic.
 
 
10. Make wedding planning more fun...and remember to take time off from wedding planning. 
If it feels like the wedding is taking over your lives, designate your date nights wedding-conversation-free zones. Or find ways make wedding planning more fun. You know what makes assembling wedding favors a blast? Wine. (Beer or vodka works too!) And never underestimate the thrill of registering in-store equipped with a registry scanner gun. It’s addictive—and a really great way to turn a mundane wedding task into an unforgettable outing.

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