Everyone knows that weddings are expensive, but we’re not just talking about the big purchases like renting the venue, paying for the meal, booking a photographer and buying a dress. In the last couple of weeks leading up to your wedding, you’ll run across little expenses that you may not have even considered when you were planning your wedding’s budget. For example, you may need cash on hand for vendor delivery charges and tips, gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen, decorations, wedding favors and eating out with guests who get into town …

When you were a kid, all you had to do was slap glue on paper and sprinkle glitter and dried macaroni across the top and Grandma would keel over sideways with joy, only recovering to tack your creation up on the fridge.

Now that you’re a grownup, gift giving is still fun, but it’s not quite as easy as it used to be, especially when you’re trying to decide what to get for your significant other. Suddenly, you’re expected to choose a present that’s absolutely perfect. And, most difficult of all, …

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the whole point of taking a vacation with your significant other to relax, relieve stress and enjoy each other’s company? I thought so, but I’m just checking because for a lot of people vacations turn out to be full of stress.

I have a few tips that can help you and your mate relax and enjoy your time together. You don’t have to go too far to leave your stress, cares and worries behind for a few days.
Spas don’t mix with stress
One of my …

Knowing when to tie the knot can be hard to pinpoint. Timing is key for any life situation, and even more so for marriage. Choosing the right time to get hitched really depends on you and your partner, where you are in life and what you’re expecting from a marriage.

Knowing when to get married can be as simple as following your own life clues. Life can naturally tell you when you’re ready to get married if you look closely enough!
1)      You’re Financially Stable: While you don’t exactly have to be …

Relationships are a delicate balance. When things are going well some people are hesitant to make changes out of fear of messing things up. Others feel like they can’t get enough of a good thing and suggest living together. Living together changes the dynamics of the relationship and can put the tightest couples to the test. I’m not saying that to discourage you but there are certain steps you should take before moving things to the next level.

Having a man in the house is a completely different feeling than living …

Scientists have long researched the connection between relationships and health. The majority of related studies conclude what many already understand experientially: love is good for you.

Relationship and Health Connection: A Good Marriage Is Good For the Heart
Researchers at the University of Rochester found that bypass patients in happy marriages had substantially higher survival rates than their single or unhappily married counterparts. Perhaps most notable in the study, women in unhappy relationships were far less likely to survive than men in unhappy relationships. Other studies have made similar findings: women only …

When it comes to dating, here’s one thing you can count on: Everyone is looking for a romantic relationship that sizzles. No one actually prefers lukewarm leftovers to a fresh, hot gourmet meal. So why do so many relationships quickly begin to feel like they spend most of the time in the refrigerator wrapped in tin foil?

The answer lies in a bit of folk wisdom your grandmother told you when you were young: In any endeavor, you get out what you put in. Small effort yields small results. Too many …

Should You Move in Together?
Next to marriage, moving in together is the biggest step you can take as a couple.
I don’t want to knock the romantic wind out of your sails, but making a decision like this while starry-eyed and still in the throes of the honeymoon phase is not a good idea. It’s something that you should think through and more importantly, talk through with your partner.
Here are some things to consider.
Rationale
Here’s a simple question: why are you moving in together? You might want to discuss it with your …

The Hallmarks of a Healthy Relationship
Wonder what it takes to make a romantic relationship flourish? Read on.
Remember the last time you took your car in for a diagnostic check-up? Maybe your vehicle was making a strange noise, or perhaps it was for routine maintenance. The mechanic attached wires to the engine, stuck a gauge in the exhaust pipe, hoisted the vehicle on the hydraulic rack to inspect the undercarriage, and so on. The verdict: a few quick adjustments, and you’re good to go. Come back in another 10,000 miles. …