5 Ways To Keep Your Marriage Solid After Having Kids

At first, having kids seems like a vital ingredient to achieving a stronger, better marriage. Many couples have unrealistic expectations as to what their life would be by the time a baby arrives. Kids are often looked at as the meat in a couple’s sandwich – the force that ties them together and binds them closer than ever before.

However, studies tell otherwise. According to a research of Berkley psychology professors Philip Cowan, Ph.D., and wife Carolyn Pape Cowan, Ph.D., 92% of their respondents, which are married couples, described a gradual increase in conflict after having their baby. Raging hormones, severe lack of sleep, limited time for talks or sex, struggles to make ends meet, and opposing views on “how to and not to raise a human being” – all these converge to forge a gap between you and your partner.

A leap into parenthood does test many couples but that does not mean this is the start of a dull, bland, and brittle marriage. There are ways to nurture your marital life despite having children,

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8 Extraordinary Color Combinations For Your Dream Wedding

Coral, teal, and purple – these are just three of the all-time favorite wedding colors. Some blend them with tried and tested partners, like coral and gray, teal and baby pink, and purple and apple green. These are classic wedding colors and combos that have held up over time and yes, brides continue to love ’em.

But why stick to the safe and most used fusions when there are endless color combo possibilities to recognize? Perhaps you haven’t tried mixing and matching emerald and melon with a hint of metallic gold.

If you want to have a unique wedding motif yet you’re running out of ideas, here are some of the rare wedding color combinations to take inspiration from.

1. Purple + Burgundy + Orange

Perfect for: Autumn wedding, vineyard wedding themes

Opting for a fall-inspired wedding? Orange is a no-brainer but you can create a rich intoxicating blend to set the autumnal tone by adding purple and burgundy. The deep, moody details are also perfect for the old-world charm of vineyard weddings.

Aside from incorporating the deep colors into the fabrics, flowers, favors, invitations, and other wedding elements, try to experiment with food. For instance, consider serving creamy tomato soup atop beautiful satin burgundy tablecloth or table runner. You can also place a mix of orange, plum, grapes, and apples on the table.

2. Aqua + Deep Pink + Gold

Perfect for: Summer weddings

Perhaps you have seen the aqua-pink combo before – the fun and feminine color combo that makes you think of unicorns, cotton candies, and everything sweet. But when the preppy colors are styled with metallic and glitzy elements, like gold ribbons, draping, light fixtures, and table centerpieces and dinnerware, the vibe can be elevated into a glam affair.

3. Mint + Coral 

Perfect for: Late-spring, summer wedding

If you want the similar fresh and fun vibe but you want to steer clear of vivid colors, then the mint and coral combination might appeal to you.

For a more elegant and sophisticated setting, play more with mint. Think of mint clothing, invitations, and table setting decors. Then, let the lush floral arrangements and even the sugar blooms on your cake display pops of coral. You can also incorporate coral through small details like your favors or the ribbons.

If you want to go for a laidback chic vibe, choose coral as your lead with mint as your undertone. To elevate it into a more luxe look, infuse metallics like gold, silver, copper, or rose gold.

4. Merlot + Peach + Sage

Perfect for: Rustic and shabby chic wedding themes

Going for an earthy theme without sacrificing elegance? You’ll love this color scheme as it binds perfectly with natural hues and wooden details. Analogous colors go well together, which is why rich merlot and soft peach look cohesive. Having sage as an accent color balances them out and adds freshness into the mix. Sage can easily be incorporated by playing with florals.

The color combo has a down to earth vibe, which is perfect for garden and woodland weddings. Just make sure you balance out natural surroundings with some grandiose elements like chandeliers, candelabras, and elegant dinnerware.

5. Tangerine Tango + Orange + Yellow

Perfect for: Modern summer wedding, beach wedding

Orange symbolizes optimism while yellow symbolizes happiness. The vibrant mix is perfect for cheery, flamboyant couples who want to add a bit of fun into a solemn ceremony. The combo is also perfect for a seaside wedding as the warm tones complement the ocean’s bright turquoise hue. The best tip: let the flowers do the talking.

You just have to balance them out with white and neutral details so your guests won’t be overwhelmed by the vivid colors. Let your vases filled with vibrant fresh flowers and bright table decors sit on a white tablecloth.

6. Navy + Eggplant + Gold

Perfect for: Art deco weddings

Navy and eggplant are colors that scream “majesty” and adding metallic accent hues such as gold or copper make everything just better. The ethereal combo is perfect for grandiose wedding ceremonies, like a Gatsby-themed party adorned with gold chandeliers and dinnerware, and silk eggplant tablecloth, and filled with bubbly champagne and live jazz music.

7. Marsala + Midnight Blue + Silver

Perfect for: Fall and winter weddings

If you’ve always been drawn to berry-kissed, cranberry-esque shades, then the fusion of these bold colors is to die for. The pops of rich colors against the winter’s cold and pale surroundings display a lively contrast. For a more elegant look, you can infuse metallics, like silver accents.

The combo is full of lovely possibilities. They work on white tables and wood tables as well. Since a few varieties come in blue, play around with marsala for your flowers and use midnight blue for the vase and table decors. You can also experiment with food. Apart from red wine, consider offering vibrant cocktails for your signature sip. You can also use fruits with rich hues, like grapes, blueberries, and cranberries.

8. Emerald + Melon

Perfect for: Spring and summer weddings

The emerald-melon combo is an unexpected fusion I can’t help drooling over. Emerald is a rich shade of green that is inspired from the gemstone itself while the color melon is a soft shade of pink that provides depth and balance to the boldness of the jewel tone. The two colors work perfectly together.

These colors can create either a big and elegant statement or a rather low-key and effortless chic vibe. It depends on what tone you’ll emphasize and what should serve as the undertone.

If you’re into a more luxurious setting, then play more with the emerald with the melon undertone. Apart from using it heavily for fabrics, incorporate it into the smallest of details including the bold patterns in your invitations, the linen of your cake table, or the wrap of your bouquet. Try adding melon-colored flowers and apricot deserts to subtly infuse melon.

If you’re going for a chic, low-key setting, let melon dominate the environment and infuse emerald here and there, in your garlands and floral arrangements, aisle decorations, and party favors.

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the enthusiastic writers for Jennifer Regan, a shop in Sydney that caters to women who are looking for the perfect bridal dress to wear as they walk down the aisle. Her articles mainly focus on fashion and beauty, which help soon-to-be-brides prepare for their wedding day.

7 Ways To Rock A Floral Headpiece On Your Wedding Day

Saying that fresh, vibrant flowers add a visual interest to weddings is an understatement. Not only do they provide aesthetics but they also freshen up and enliven the celebration. Apart from being a staple to wedding aisle and reception decorations and bridal bouquet, raw and fragrant blooms also make a stunning, incredibly versatile floral headpiece for the bride.

Wearing freshly-picked blooms, whether in a form of a crown or subtly sprinkled throughout your intricate braids, is a smart, chic alternative to traditional veils. They work best if you’re opting for a laid back and romantic woodland, garden or beach wedding ceremony. And when situated creatively, you can get the best of both worlds by combining the whimsical details of fresh blossoms and the classic appeal of a veil in one look.

But before stealing the look of the lovely brides in Pinterest, here are some of the important points to keep in mind to rock your floral headpiece.Continue reading

Never Tie A Knot Without Answering These 10 Questions

So you’re madly in love and you want to take your long-term relationship to the next level – marriage. The fact that you get along for almost a decade and sparks just light up whenever you look at each other’s eyes just validate that your partner is “the one.” It’s just like the movies, and you can’t wait for a sequel. But taking all the chick flick moments aside, what would remain? Are you best friends? Or merely cold strangers?

Older folks used to say that marriage is not like a hot spoonful of rice that you can spit out once you get burned. Unlike in young, shallow love, there’s no such thing as a “break-up” when you get married. It’s a lifetime commitment. Yes, divorce and annulment exist but nobody wanted to even go there. Upon wearing those rings, two persons vow to spend the rest of their lives with each other, for happiness and sorrow, and for better or for worse.

Before you say “I do,” here are 10 brutally honest questions you and your spouse should answer.

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5 Nerve-Racking Wedding Emergencies And How To Handle Them

Who wouldn’t want to have a perfect wedding day? Soon-to-be married couples pour the best of their time, abilities, and cash into the success of their once in a lifetime celebration of love. They choose the best officiant and hire experienced organizers, caterers, florists, dressmakers, and photographers to ensure everything turns out the way they envisioned smoothly and flawlessly.

But let’s be honest, is there really a “perfect” wedding? Do couples, who spend the most of their time and resources, really achieve their ideal wedding celebration without running into bumps and hurdles in the process? I don’t think so.

Life is full of surprises, isn’t it? However, nobody likes it when not-so-pleasant surprises show up in the course of wedding planning, or worse, on your big day. A simple yet unresolved mistake can sabotage everything at the drop of the hat. Fortunately, most common wedding blunders can be remedied. You just have to think fast and handle them with grace and poise (even if they’re driving you nuts IRL).

Before you go into panic mode, stop, take a deep breath, and check out the following solutions for the most common wedding planning emergencies.

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5 Good Reasons Why You Should Never Skimp On Your Wedding Makeup

The stress of planning a wedding is no joke – plenty of things has to be done including the hunt for the best yet budget-friendly caterers, dressmakers, and photographers. Since it’s one of the most memorable events for the couple, everything has to be perfect. Not to downplay grooms but in most cases, the brides are the ones who get really exhilarated about the wedding day. Next to the wedding gown, the bridal hair and makeup are a crucial aspect, though they’re often put at the least of priorities.

With other wedding costs to keep in mind, we cannot blame frugal couples for skimping on these. Some brides opt for cheaper styling services, hire a non-pro makeup junkie, or even do their own wedding hair and makeup to cut expenses. But is omitting the need for a professional hair and makeup artist (HMUA) worth it?

When you look at the numbers, pro hair and makeup may seem a bit pricey. By the end of the day, the cosmetics will still fade so why bother throwing $150 for it? But if you come to realize the pros and cons of having your bridal look done by a professional, the good will knock off the bad. Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t scrimp on your look.

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Four Truths About Marriage Every Unhappy Couple Should Digest

Nobody hopes to end up in a bad marriage. Every individual who yearns to love and be loved wants a marriage that lasts a lifetime – to grow old in love with one another until mortality parts them.

But things change through the course of the relationship. People change. Priorities change. Feelings change. Some marriages which are built with a solid foundation stand the test, while some eventually crumble like a house of cards. Some people part ways and move on upon recognizing it cannot be fixed, while some people decide to stay in an unhappy marriage, still hoping.

Do you find yourself stuck in an unhappy marriage? Don’t get me wrong – the lack of happiness and intimacy isn’t uncommon in romantic relationships. But if the cause of unhappiness is beyond repair and you feel like you’re wasting your time in a relationship that’s no longer working, maybe it’s time to face these four truths.

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Rock Your No-Veil Bridal Look With These Stunning Headpiece Ideas

A conventional wedding veil has an undeniable power to transform a woman into a blooming bride in just a blink of an eye. But what if wearing a veil isn’t really your thing?

You’re not the only one. Some contemporary brides choose to opt out of the pristine white veil for several reasons – some brides prefer a modernized wedding while others just don’t like the idea of walking down the aisle with a heavy head. However, this doesn’t mean you have to leave your tresses bare and unadorned.

The options for bridal toppers are limitless. From small gem-studded hair combs to freshly-picked flower wreaths, you can find stylish headpieces that match your personality and your wedding gown. A well-chosen headpiece can polish your overall look the same way a veil can – or even better.

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5 Ways To Pull Off A Modest Wedding Gown Without Skimping On Style

If you think a wedding dress with long sleeves and covered décolletage look boring, I dare you to check out the bridal look of some prominent icons including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and Kate Middleton. These women, who were blessed with such killer physique and flawless skin, chose to go modest on their big day. But oh boy, they looked stunning and elegant. They prove that it’s indeed possible for a bride to shine without having to bare much flesh.

Fast forward to the 21st century, modest wedding gowns are a rare gem. Most modern brides opt for designs that show off their strongest features, and the styles are often arm, chest, and back-baring. Without a doubt, these gowns work well with modern, laidback wedding themes and venues, like beach or garden ceremonies. But if it’s going to be in a traditional church or temple setting, you might want to cover up.

If you want to want to go modest and covered without skimping on style, here are some tips to make your wedding dress work for you. Continue reading

10 Wedding Veil Ideas To Top Off Your Dream Bridal Look

No wedding accessory says “I can transform you into a ravishing bride” better than a veil.

There’s something magical about this seemingly basic headpiece. Firstly, a veil has the power to turn a girl into a ravishing bride in just a split second. It’s one of the most defining elements of a bridal look. Lose the gloves, lose the sparkly necklace, but a bride is not a bride without her veil.

Secondly, it has the power to make or break your look. It’s more than just an accessory. It is often the last finishing touch that binds everything together.

Lastly, it has the power to evoke emotions. Topping off your head with this thin layer of fabric while wearing your dress is a surefire way to make your mom, sister, and bridesmaids (and even your tough dad and brother) burst out in tears.

With this, choosing the perfect veil shouldn’t come as an afterthought.

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