Tag: intimacy

A Quick Guide To Selecting the Right Wedding Music

Published on by Bridgett King, Wedding OfficiantLeave a comment

According to William Shakespeare, music is the food of love. It seems these sentiments are as true today as they were in 1601, as it is hard to envision a romantic setting without the presence of some kind of soundtrack. If you’re planning your wedding, then you likely are spending a lot of time deciding what music should be used throughout the event. From the tune you walk down the aisle to, the first dance song, to the jams played by the DJ, each choice will help to set the right mood. Pick the right music with these tips.

Selecting Your Entertainment

Before deciding on the exact songs that will be played throughout the event, you must have your entertainment set in stone. Specifically, it is important to know whether you will be using a DJ or a live band. While both options should be able to meet your needs, a band might need advance notice on specific songs you would like played. A DJ, conversely, should be able to use the internet to pull up any obscure tune you’d like at a moment’s notice. Once you’ve got your choice booked, it is time to look at song options.

Start With What You Know

Just as it is best to start a to-do list by writing down a task you’ve already completed and checking it off, you should start picking wedding songs by focusing on what you already know you want. If you and your partner have a song that you absolutely want played for your first dance, write it down and move on to the next. This will make you feel like you’re making progress, even if you’re struggling to select music for certain parts of the celebration. 

It can also be useful to start by picking the songs for the “big” moments of the event. Think about what songs you’d like played when the wedding party enters the venue or what tunes would make the most sense when you cut the cake. 

Please the Crowd

While you should absolutely go with songs that align with your tastes, you must also be mindful of the crowd. Group dances at weddings might seem cheesy or cliche, but songs like “The Electric Slide” and “Cha-Cha Shuffle” get people out of their seats and on the dance floor. In fact, you’re most likely to get people of all ages dancing when you play these songs. While it might not be “cool,” be sure to play a mix of these songs throughout the event to keep all of your guests in good spirits. 

Additionally, be mindful of how obscure your music selection gets. Even though it is your big day, try to include a mix of popular tracks and songs that align with your tastes. This will keep the energy levels high and encourage people to dance.

Allow Requests

Finally, it is usually a wise idea to allow guests to make requests throughout the event. If a friend or family member thinks that a certain song will improve the vibe of the reception or get more people dancing, then provide the ability to get that tune played. Most entertainers will have no problem with requests, but you should still discuss it with the vendor in advance. Too many requests can throw off the DJ’s own playlists, so giving a bit of advance notice can help with timing out the music. 

Get Up and Dance

Picking the right songs for your wedding might take a bit of time, but there are plenty of ways to discover tunes that bring your event to life. As long as the music you choose gets everyone on the dance floor, you’ve made the right choice.

Keep the Romance Alive While Planning Your Big Day

Published on by Bridgett King, Wedding OfficiantLeave a comment

A lot of effort tends to go into planning a large event such as a wedding. From hiring an exceptional caterer to picking out floral arrangements, you may find your focus is entirely fixed on making your big day as perfect as can be. However, this means your attention might be taken away from your significant other. Since the whole reason you’re getting married is because you love and cherish your partner, it is important to find ways to strengthen your connection. Look over these ideas to find inspiration on how to keep the romance alive.

 

Make Time for Other Activities

While there might be a lot of items on your to-do list, planning your wedding should not eat up all of your available time. To keep the fire burning in your relationship, you must consciously dedicate a part of your schedule to activities you can enjoy with your partner. For example, if you both like to play tennis, set aside some time each week when you can go and let off some steam on the court. If you’re an avid reader, visit your local library or an independent bookstore to find some new stories.

Watch Movies Centered Around Love

Another easy way to spend time with your significant other is by watching a movie together. Instead of picking any old title from Netflix, look for content that has strong romantic themes. Watching movies centered around love can be a perfect activity for bringing you and your partner closer together. Whether you decide to check out a classic like “Casablanca” or something more modern like “Call Me by Your Name” or “The Notebook,” watching romance movies can easily invigorate the bond you share. 

Buy Cute Gifts for Each Other

It is no secret that putting together a wedding is an expensive endeavor. While you may feel like you don’t have money in the budget for extraneous purchases, it can be important to find some cash for buying each other little gifts of love. A great way to approach this idea is by grabbing presents that get you excited for the big day. Matching robes or hats are good examples of this, as you can have them monogrammed with your initials or a message like “Newlywed #1.”

A gift does not always have to be a physical item, either. Some people prefer experiences as presents. If you have the funds, consider taking a weekend trip to somewhere nearby. This is a lovely way to bond with each other and focus on your relationship instead of your wedding. 

Revisit Your Favorite Memories

If you’re worried about money, it is important to keep in mind that some activities don’t cost a thing. One of the absolute best ways to strengthen the connection you share is by sitting down together and reminiscing. Depending on how long you’ve been together, you likely have accrued many photos and videos from over the years. Now is an ideal time to take a walk back in time and look over all of these cherished moments. 

You can even turn an activity like this into something more substantial. Print out your favorite pictures and arrange them in a scrapbook. Not only will this make for a cherished memento of your relationship, but you can also bring the finished product to your wedding for guests to look over as they enjoy the reception. You may also wish to submit some of these pictures and video clips to your wedding photographer to have them displayed as a slideshow throughout your event. 

Rediscover Your Love

The whole point of getting married is to share the rest of your life with a person you cannot imagine living without. Keep this in mind while planning your big day and be sure to set aside as much time as possible for strengthening and celebrating your connection.

Woman Vows To Be Submissive in Wedding

Published on by Bridgett King, Wedding OfficiantLeave a comment

A woman has vowed to be submissive in her wedding vows to her husband during their wedding ceremony. The woman, whose video was posted to Twitter, stated that she would submit to her husband during their marriage as she kneeled in front of him. A bridesmaid held the microphone as she made this promise, stating that she would follow her husband and build the home as a submissive wife. She referenced their faith in God and said that their marriage went beyond love and was part of a covenant made before God.

While cheers, applause, and whistles can be heard from the crowd, others on social media do not agree with the bride’s vows, kneeling, or promises to be submissive. Many felt that the kneeling was excessive and that the couple should be seen as equal partners in their relationship. 

Proverbs 31 Wife

Supporters of the bride’s vows to be submissive feel that they reflect the Biblical idea of how a wife should act. These supporters mainly reference Proverbs 31, which describes characteristics such as nobility, eagerness to work, generosity, selflessness, and prioritizing the needs of others.

They also cite the New Testament, where wives are told to submit to their husbands, and husbands are instructed to love their wives as Christ loved the church.

What Does It Mean To Be Submissive?

People may have different interpretations of what the term “submissive” means. For a person who wants to be submissive to their partner, it typically means they want their significant other to be in charge. How extensive this can be will vary on a case-by-case basis.

For example, some individuals may want to be submissive only in the bedroom, while others want their partner to make all major life decisions for them. Examples of this include:

  • Asking for permission to make big purchases
  • Seeking your partner’s approval before making changes to the home’s decor or style
  • Letting your partner decide what foods you eat
  • Giving your partner control over how the kids should be raised

Consent Is Key 

As long as both partners willingly and comfortably participate in this type of relationship, it can be healthy and fulfilling. However, many marriage experts agree that a relationship like this is not sustainable long term. Not only will the submissive partner likely start to suffer from low self-esteem and depression, but they may also begin to harbor bitter feelings toward their partner. For this reason, if either participant is uninterested in taking a submissive position or feels uncomfortable with their role in the relationship, they must speak up. Again, it will only be a healthy relationship if it is fulfilling for both parties. 

If a submissive person changes their mind or someone doesn’t want to be submissive in the first place, then it is imperative that their partner respect and support their decision. Otherwise, the relationship can cross the line into abusive territory. The most critical aspect of these relationships is having consent from everyone involved.

Signs of an Unhealthy Submissive Relationship

A dominant partner can sometimes become too controlling toward their spouse, causing fear and anxiety. Because there can be a fine line between acceptable dominant behavior and abuse, it’s important to know the signs of an unhealthy submissive relationship. A submissive person who frequently appears timid, displays body language indicating discomfort, or seems insecure is likely not in a healthy relationship.

For now, the husband and wife featured on Twitter are on the same page about her submission to him. However, only time will tell whether this will work long-term or if the relationship will have to shift from a submissive relationship to a partnership.

Connect With Your Partner Before Your Wedding With These Ideas

Published on by Bridgett King, Wedding OfficiantLeave a comment

The months leading to your wedding are going to be packed with an array of tasks and activities connected to your big day. For many couples, this leads to all of their free time being consumed by planning responsibilities. Unfortunately, this also brings about tension and frustration. To avoid this, you must spend time with your partner who is dedicated to undertakings that are unrelated to your wedding. Explore these ideas and find ways to keep the fires alive as you prepare for your nuptials. 

Keep Communicating

Conversation is key to a healthy relationship. Naturally, what you talk about makes a world of difference when it comes to how the conversations enrich your connection. During the wedding planning process, it is important to frequently check in with your significant other. Talk about how he or she is feeling and what you can do to alleviate any building stress. You should also have chats about mundane and inconsequential topics. Talk about your daily routines, thoughts about current pop culture stories, and fun facts you’ve learned about topics you find interesting. 

It may seem simple, but having time for idle chatter can help you decompress during stressful times. Plus, it strengthens your relationship by showing your partner that you are there to lend an ear or shoulder whenever the time arises. 

Commit Random Acts of Kindness

When you first met your partner, you likely spent more time and effort on little surprises. This is because the early phases of a relationship are built on such little gestures. Sadly, most people tend to commit fewer acts of kindness as they spend more time with their romantic partners. To keep the passion alive in your relationship, see how you can improve your partner’s day with little action. Running a bath and lighting candles when your significant other is coming home from a stressful day is a great example of a little action with a big emotional impact.

Look Back

It stands to reason you decided to marry your partner because you’ve spent many years growing up together. One of the best ways to keep your connection strong as you plan for your wedding is by reminiscing together. Grab your phone and open some old albums you can swipe through. Talking and laughing about adventures you’ve had in the past can help you remember why you are enduring all of the stress of planning a wedding in the first place. Take this idea a step further by visiting locations you went to during your first dates. 

Practice Respect

Having mutual respect is vital to a strong marriage. Get into the habit early by showing your partner the thoughtfulness he or she deserves as you plan your wedding. For example, your partner might be asking you for input on reception decor. If you’re not responding to this request right away, your partner might take this as a sign of disrespect. Avoid this scenario by staying on top of your partner’s needs and being open and receptive to any ideas or tasks that may emerge. 

Go Away

Taking a trip somewhere can also be a good way to shed the stress of wedding planning for a bit. While a big trip may not be in your budget, taking a small trip somewhere local can still have a positive impact on your relationship. The main goal is to dedicate time to going somewhere private where the two of you can connect and remember why you’re getting married in the first place.

Strengthen Your Bond

While preparing to tie the knot can be a thrilling time in your life, it can also be a very frustrating period. To keep the connection you have with your partner strong, be sure to step back and dedicate time to tasks and activities that will enrich the bond you share.