In just a couple of weeks, Aaron and I will celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. Five years! It doesn't seem like a lot in comparison to some couples-- my parents for example who have been married for almost 34 years-- but to me it feels really monumental! A few things were different when we were planning our wedding. For starters, there weren't as many blogs out there and I wasn't reading the ones that did exist. Also, Pinterest had just launched a couple of months prior to us saying I do and wasn't yet on my radar, either. (Can you even fathom planning a wedding now without Pinterest?!) And, finally, BHLDN, the dream destination for brides, couples, and friends of the soon-to-be newlyweds, was still a year away from launching! I may not have been able to take advantage for my own wedding, but now with their newly launched gift collection, it's my new secret spot for finding unique gifts that every couple will fall in love with! Below are my favorite finds and maybe even just a little marriage advice from me to you... because I can't help myself!
Have you noticed that life seems to revolve around the kitchen? Aaron and I wake up in the morning and make coffee together. A little while later all three of us enjoy breakfast together before he leaves for work. (Try to eat breakfast together as often as possible! It's such a nice quiet before the storm of the day and gives you time to talk when you're rested.) It's where we reconvene after our days and come back together as a family. It's also where we have entertained for friends and cooked big turkey dinners for Thanksgiving! It's truly the heart of the home which is why I love showering engaged couples with pretty things for their kitchen space that they might not splurge on for themselves. These cake stands are such a perfect punch of color and something they'll have for decades to come. (My mom still uses the cake stand she received as a wedding gift!) This serving set is it's perfect compliment too! The first recipe I ever made for Aaron was a pulled pork taco recipe (of course, I'm a Texas girl!) from Real Simple magazine and I have it framed in the kitchen. It's such a fun memory! I loved all of the recipe inspiration in this newlywed cookbook and anything would look great on these plates...
Are you dying over the cuteness!? How sweet would it be to pull these out every anniversary for dessert! If I'm going to dish out marriage advice (which, I mean, you should take with a grain of salt as they say!) I would say this: You are a team. Your spouse is your forever teammate who will always be by your side. It's your role to support each other through challenges, celebrate each other's successes and be each other's cheerleader all along the way. You don't always have to agree, but you should go out of your way to see and acknowledge their differing point of you. And above all, speak kindly to one another always! It changes everything. Then you can be like these cute flamingos, flocking together, forever and ever...!
Flamino Cake Toppers / Newlywed Cookbook / Rosy Cheeked Flutes / Just Married Plates / Servingware / Rolling Pin / Feather Pens / Votive Holders / Cake Stands
Photography by Mary Costa