Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce just announced their engagement 💍—cue the glitter, champagne, and endless playlists. If you’re newly engaged, too, congratulations! It’s a magical time, but let’s be honest: planning a wedding can bring as much stress as sparkle.
That’s where Imago Relationship Therapy gives you tools to laugh more, fight less, and grow a marriage that lasts.
At Marriage Works, we believe love lives in the everyday moments—what we call Love in the Real World. Here’s a playful guide to get started.
Talk so love doesn’t get lost in the planning
Wedding chat can turn tense fast (hello, guest lists 🙃). Imago dialogue slows things down so both of you feel heard:
- Mirror: “I hear you saying…”
- Validate: “That makes sense or I can understand …”
- Empathise: “I imagine you might be feeling…”
✨ Try this tonight: Pick one tiny topic (cake flavour, song choice) and practise the three steps. If you end up laughing—bonus points.
Zero negativity (ZNP) = maximum fun
Stress brings snark. Imago’s Zero Negativity Pact helps keep it kind.
Swap: “You never help!”
For: “Would you be willing to call the florist by Friday?”
✨ Couple cue: If negativity sneaks in, one of you says, “Reset?” and you both start fresh.
Small rituals, big connection
Engagement isn’t just planning—it’s practice for the life ahead. Build mini-rituals now:
- Daily appreciation: one thing you love about your partner (tiny and specific). E.g. I love you, bring me coffee in the morning, you are so thoughtful.
- Weekly check-in: 30 minutes on connection, logistics, and dreams. E.g. What wins did we have this week? How can we celebrate?
- Stretching: do one thing that matters to your partner—even if it’s not your style. (Yes, slow dancing in the kitchen counts 💃🕺.)
Why start before the wedding?
Because wedding stress is like a training ground. If you can practise dialogue, zero negativity, and tiny rituals now, you’ll be better prepared for the everyday joys (and bumps) of married life.
💌 Want more?
- Join our newsletter Love in the Real World for bite-sized inspiration, real stories, and practical tips to keep your relationship thriving.