Will the Marriage Last?

Wedding Vendors Share How They Predict Long-Lasting Relationships

Nov 30, 2021

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

One more thing for you:

I am working on THE NEWLYWED CARD GAME! A card game for newlyweds that sparks meaningful convos, hilarious adventures, & fresh romantic moments after the honeymoon ends.

A limited number of decks will be available in December, so you can snag your game in the pre-sale + tons of bonus prizes too! Thank you for checking this out - woohoo!

Wedding Vendors Share How They Try and Predict Long-Lasting Marriages

When it comes to marriage, it feels like everyone has an opinion about it.

People who aren’t married will tell you 25 reasons why you should stay single forever.

People who are married will tell you 25 reasons why you should stay single forever.

Your family members might tell you 25 things you have to stop doing if you want to stay married forever.

But some of the most interesting advice can come from the people who are constantly surrounded by people in love at the start of their marriage - wedding vendors.

Look, marriage isn’t one size fits all and neither is the advice ANYONE WILL GIVE YOU.

But out of post-Thanksgiving curiosity, I reached out to a handful of wedding vendors and asked them this one question:

How do you know if a couple’s marriage will last on their wedding day?

Here were their responses.

A Shared Perspective

As a wedding planner and coordinator, Marielys Garcia Daniels, often sees couples engage in very stressful circumstances. That’s why she believes the couples who make it have something important in common.

“Successful couples are also very connected and find common ground in spite of their differences. Whether it is committing to weekly date night or engaging in new hobbies together, they value their time together and make it a quality experience, however large or small,” says Garcia Daniels.

Can Get Each Other to Relax

Wedding planning can be quite stressful, which is why Michelle Wood, an event planner, says it’s a good sign when a couple is relaxed and having fun during the adventure.

“Planning a wedding can be very emotionally charged and its easy to get stressed over the details but the couples that work on their relationship by going on dates, and talking about life issues and not just centerpieces are the ones who don't lose sight of the true meaning behind their big day. Marriage is a compromise just like any relationship so the couples who are willing to give and take when making decisions for what they want for the wedding day are the ones that will already have practiced that skill going into their marriage where the compromises will be much bigger than cake flavor.”

The Wedding Reflects Their Personality

Wedding photographer, Emma Thurgood, sees a lot behind the camera. She says it’s a sign the marriage will last when the wedding has a certain feeling to it.

“The weddings I've done that have been more true to the personalities of the couple and have a more balanced sense of celebration for both people have never made me question if the couple would be happy long term,” says Thurgood.

Friendship is Everything

Perhaps what makes the start of a marriage work is something simple and obvious.

“The root of a happy marriage is friendship. After photographing weddings for over ten years, what I've seen as the foundation of successful marriages is friendship. These couples enjoy each other, laugh together, and don't take life too seriously. When the tough storms of marriage come, they are able to weather them because underneath all of the turbulence is a strong friendship,” says Jamie Rae, a photographer.

Which wedding vendor do you agree with the most?