Seer-Sucker suits and royal blue goodness everywhere = happy! ;) Okay, there was so much more about Brooke and Kevin’s wedding that had our hearts swooning… but their style was definitely super fun and definitely noteworthy! ;)

Brooke and Kevin are the main reason our hearts were swooning on their big day! Seriously, they are two of the sweetest people with HUGE hearts and a lot of love. They are definitely two people who complete each other in a special way. They light up when they are around each other and they just exude happiness in a way that lights up the room! (Seriously- just look at their first look photos below! ;) )

Brook and Kevin’s Baltimore Wedding was so simple, so beautiful, and so perfect for them. Their special touches could be found everywhere… including Kevin’s very own home brew that they shared as favors for their guests! How much fun is that? Their hearts went into creating a super special celebration of their marriage for all of their family and friends to enjoy! And based on the dance floor… I am pretty sure you could say they definitely enjoyed! ;)

Brooke and Kevin… we are SO HAPPY FOR YOU! You two are incredible! We are so grateful for the opportunity to capture this AMAZING time of your lives! Hope you are having the time of your lives in Tahiti!!! Ahhhh!!! So excited to hear about the gorgeousness! ;)

Huge thanks to all of the wedding professionals who helped make Brooke and Kevin’s wedding so special!

Stationery & All things paper!: handmade by Brooke and Kevin | Hair Stylist: Meagan Bury | Makeup Artist: Maryland Wedding Makeup by Natasha Sierakowski | Florist: Divine Designs and Events | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Padonia Park Club | Officiant: Mary E. Powers | Cupcakes: Kupcakes and Co. | DJ: Jason Wallace, Absolute Entertainment | Transportation: American Limousine | Bride’s Attire: Elegant Touch Bridal, Maggie Sottero | Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Joseph A. Banks | Bridesmaid’s Attire: Bill Levkoff  | Wedding Bands: Afi’s Jewelry, Leesburg, VA | Photography: Liz and Ryan | Photobooth: Liz and Ryan

Over the past several weeks we have been extra busy making the final preparations for our AMAZING Life Escape.  We are so excited to host a fun new type of retreat for couples.  For the past several years it has been our passion and dream to create a retreat where couples can escape the everyday craziness of life.  We dreamed of creating an escape where couples could invest in there relationships and marriages with other fun and amazing couples.  We dreamed of creating an escape where the only thing each couple has to do is focus on reconnecting and loving each other.  We are so excited to be able to do all of these things at our first ever AMAZING Life Escape.  This November, we will be renting out a resort style home in the mountains of Maine to host the AMAZING Life Escape.  We have some super fun things planned to help each couple grew their love for each other including breakfast in bed, several AMAZING Life Together Inspired Sessions to help each couple strengthen their relationships, a romantic couple’s photo session, evening fireside chats (with S’mores of course) and much much more.  Learn more about the life escape in the following blog posts:

Check out the AMAZING house the Escape will be held at here:

http://www.lizandryan.com/blog/a-ski-lodge-to-ourselves/

Learn a little bit more about how we hope to help couples reach the full potential in their relationships:

http://www.lizandryan.com/blog/reaching-for-the-top-of-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs/

Learn more about the Life Escape in our FAQ:

http://www.lizandryan.com/blog/a-dream-getaway-the-amazing-life-escape-faq/

See the full Life Escape Site Here:

http://amazing.lizandryan.com/index.html#/life-escape-splash/

And sign up by 11:59 PM Sunday August 25th with discount code “AMAZING” to save $400 by clicking the link below:

http://amazinglifeescape.eventbrite.com

Ticket sales will be ending soon.  We have just two spots left for couples, and for this weekend only, we are offering our Early Bird discount price to any couple that purchases their tickets by 11:59 PM Sunday August 25th.  Just use discount code “AMAZING” to save $400.

In addition to the AMAZING Life Escape we have also been working on a few other projects. One of which is our AMAZING Marriage Project which we are currently in the process of developing into a feature length documentary. What started as a random thought on a plane ride early in the morning has quickly become an idea that is already larger than we could have ever imagined.  We created our site, www.theamazingmarriageproject.com, in hopes that a few people would nominate couples they considered to have amazing marriages.  Since then we have received nearly 60 nominations!!!  The even more incredible thing has been some of the amazing stories shared.  Couples have been amazingly open and honest about marriage, the tough times they’ve faced, but how they have worked together to make their marriage work.  The stories that have been shared are truly examples of AMAZING marriages!!!

Over the next three to four months we will start selecting and photographing couples.  Although our initial goal was to photograph 15  – 25 couples, there are just so many incredible stories to share.  The world needs an outlet to share the stories of real couples.  Liz and I believe whole-heartedly that we can learn something from every couple.   With all this in mind, we have started some super fun projects and can’t wait to share them further with the world!!!

But for now, we are still accepting nominations for additional couples for the AMAZING Marriage Project.   If you know an amazing couple, or feel as though your marriage is amazing click here to fill out a nomination.

We can’t wait to read all of your nominations for our AMAZING Marriage Project and to see you at the Life Escape.

Have an AMAZING Weekend!!!

When I think about Susan and Brad, I think about Susan’s great laugh and Brad’s quiet smile. I think about their kind hearts and their selfless dedication to make a difference in their student’s lives. I think about Bucknell and the AMAZING times we shared with Susan running around on campus and working away in the Dean of Students Office. I think about ‘ray Bucknell… but now, thanks to Susan’s Dad’s toast, I think about ‘ray Brad and Sue! ;) (and will forever think about ‘ray Brad and Sue! every time I hear the fight song! ;) )!

When I think about Susan and Brad, this quote always comes to my mind: “It’s not where you are in life; It’s who you have by your side that matters.” Susan and Brad are such AMAZING examples of this quote. They are the loyal friends that everyone dreams of having. When life throws them curve balls, they are the ones that pick everything up and move forward without skipping a beat! When Hurricane Sandy came through and devastated their home and community, they were strong. They had each other by their sides and they knew that was truly all that mattered.

It is such a treat to see Susan and Brad so happy when they are together. They have this comfort that is pretty much magical! When Brad breaks out that quiet smile and Susan chimes in with her great laugh, this world is a better place! ;)

Susan and Brad, we could not be more excited for you two!! Thank you so much for including us in your beautiful Jersey Shore Wedding! It was such a blessing to be there to see your happiness and the beginning of the rest of your lives together! Here’s to the “dancing-fool groom” and his absolutely beautiful bride… wishing you many many years of happiness together (full of dancing, of course!)!! So happy for you! ‘ray Brad and Sue! ;)

Thanks to all the vendors that helped make Susan and Brad’s Wedding Day AMAZING!

Stationery: EventFull Designs | Hair & makeup: Salon Cartarae | Flowers: Wall Flowers | Ceremony Location: First Baptist Church, Freehold | Reception Venue: Spring Lake Manor | Band: FuzzPops (who were AMAZING, by the way!)| Cake: Chocolate Carousel | Dress: David’s Bridal | Photographers: Liz and Ryan | Photobooth: Liz and Ryan

Good Morning Everyone! We are so excited to share a fun guest blog post today from our good friend Sarah of Intrigue Designs.  Sarah and her team are one of our favorite florists to work with.  A few weeks ago we asked Sarah if she had any ideas that Bride’s to be could use when deciding on their wedding day floral design.  Sarah jumped on the idea and has written an AMAZING post that all soon to be brides should read.  If that’s you, we will let Sarah take it away and let you enjoy this post on how to make your wedding bouquet unique!

How to Make Your Wedding Day Bouquet Unique – By Sarah Campbell-Angers

You see it in all the movies. It’s the mesmerized look that seem to makes its way across every groom’s face, as his bride walks towards him on their wedding day. True love inspired, that look may be the same, but it’s his one-of-a kind woman walking toward him that inspires it.

When thinking about wedding bouquets so many brides scroll through hundreds of images on Pinterest, or flip through the pages of numerous wedding magazines, to come up with what they believe to be the “perfect” bouquet. As all of my brides will tell you, I encourage the use of such sites. It gives me a better understanding of each bride’s style before they sit down and meet with me. However, every bride should embrace their own individuality when designing a bouquet and not simply try and copy what they think looks pretty.

Here are some simple things to keep in mind when designing your wedding bouquet, that can help make what you carry down the aisle as unique as you are;

Color: When thinking about color, don’t just think about what colors you’re using in the rest of your wedding or even your favorite color. Instead, take into consideration what color you wear most often, or what color makes you happiest or calm.

Material: All sorts of material can be incorporated into your bouquet. I’ve used feathers, brooches, ribbon, pearls, you name it and chances are it has been or could be used in a bouquet. For example, we did a wedding where we incorporated paper flowers, made of book pages to go in the bride’s bouquet. It was perfect for her!

Shape: When most people think about bouquets they imagine the traditional shape, which can limit you without even realizing it. Shape is really just another window of opportunity for creativity.

Wrap: This is where I see the most originality. We’ve created all sorts of wraps; from burlap featuring the bride’s initials to elegant ribbons. There are hundreds of ways to incorporate your own individuality by simply getting creative with how you wrap your bouquet. Lately I’ve seen brides hanging small charms with pictures of loved ones, attached to the wrap of their bouquet. I love the sentiment!

Flowers: Of Course, you have to consider the type of flower you want in your bouquet!  Some brides come in knowing exactly what kind of flower they want, others with a particular color, others with just a style, and some with no idea of what they want in regards to the actual flowers at all. Utilize Pinterest and wedding blogs, and get inspired! Different flowers represent different things in many different cultures. There is so much to be said for the type of flower you choose to incorporate in your wedding day bouquet. Make it meaningful to you.

Color, material, shape, wrap, and of course flowers are just a few of the many design elements that go into a bouquet. It’s important to remember, all of these elements can be utilized to create a bouquet that is a true extension of each individual bride!

Every bride is different, which means that no bouquet is exactly the same. I love it when a bride comes in and is willing to get creative. I’ve found the more of themselves they put into it; the happier they are! The best part of my job is the ability to get creative and design something special for each and every bride. At the end of the day a bride’s bouquet should be just as fitting as her dress, to create the perfect representation of the one-of-a kind, woman carrying it.

Looking for more wedding day floral inspiration?  Meet Sarah and her team this Sunday at their first ever Intrigued Bridal Fair and Flower Showcase.

Before we tied the knot and each said I do, we heard all sorts of advice about how marriage is a 50/50 relationship.  The idea was that in order to have a great marriage couples should each be responsible for 50% of the marriage.  Each couple should share the household chores.  Each couple should work to come to agreements even if it is a compromise.  Each couple should share the parenting duties…ok with the exception of breast-feeding; I just don’t think that would work to well for a guy. :) You get the point.

Throughout the first 5 years of our marriage Liz and I definitely tried to follow this philosophy for our marriage.  And for the most part, our marriage was pretty darn good.  But for us, good, or even great isn’t enough.  We wanted to have a truly AMAZING marriage.  We want our marriage to be an example for our future children of what a love filled marriage can be.  We want to be the little old couple that walks down the street after 75 years of marriage hand in hand… maybe by then we will be pushed down the street in wheel chairs but we will still definitely be holding hands and squeezing each other tight.

Not satisfied with just having a good marriage, over the past year we decided that instead of 50/50, we would each do everything we could to give 100 percent in our relationship.  Instead of focusing on how we could simply share the load in our relationship, we decided that we would try to serve each other 100%.

Sure there are times when one of us can’t give the other one a full 100% but the beauty of this rule is that the other person will be there to pick up the slack.  Think about it for a second.  If the premise of your marriage is simply a 50/50 relationship and someone gets sick, loses their job, or something else happens then all of a sudden a hole will start to form in your marriage.  One spouse might only be able to give 10% while the other person is still giving 50%.  That leaves an empty 40%.  Soon, the spouse still giving 50% will begin to feel resentment.  All of a sudden, they are the one’s dealing with paying the bills, doing all chores, parenting, etc.  If a relationship is built around this 50/50 philosophy, the extra work for one spouse to keep the marriage afloat when the other spouse is unable to do so will never lead to an AMAZING marriage.

However, there is good news.  If your relationship is centered around giving and serving each other 100% of the time, then no matter what happens, you will be prepared for the times when one spouse can’t give as much as to the other.

This past week has definitely been more crazy then normal.  We are smack dab in the middle of wedding season, plus we were hosting a guest, plus we have been working super hard in the planning of our documentary project, plus we have been working on finalizing plans for our AMAZING Life Escape couples getaway. Trying to cross things off our mile long to-do list, we had been working all day and before we knew it, it was already 3pm.

Seeing that I was starting to get a little “hangry,” without even thinking twice, Liz said, “Why don’t you go get some lunch and I’ll stay here to finish editing photos.”   In that moment she focused on serving our relationship 100%.  I was able to take a short break without feeling guilty.   I grabbed a quick lunch and became re-energized.

In the end, it helped make me happier which allowed me to again focus on how I could serve Liz better.  When I got home, after picking up a tasty smoothie for Liz, I decided to spend some time responding to emails that I knew had been on Liz’s mind for most of the day.   The simple act of Liz serving our relationship 100% lead to a happier evening and more time to relax while watching football together…side note, how amazing is it that football has started again!!!

Before wrapping up this post I just wanted to leave everyone with 3 quick things you can do to have an AMAZING Marriage and how to bring your relationship from a 50/50 relationship to one in which you serve each other 100%.

1.  Say yes – No matter what, begin to make it a habit of saying yes when your spouse asks you to do something.

2.  Just do it – If something needs done around the house, instead of waiting until later, or hoping that your spouse will take care of it instead, just do it.

3.  Do the things your spouse doesn’t like to do – If there is a particular chore that your spouse doesn’t like to do, there is no better way to brighten their day then to take care of that thing for them.

Follow these three tips and focus on having a 100/100 relationship and your marriage will quickly start turning from good to great and from great to AMAZING.

If you enjoyed this post and are looking for a way to intentionally focus on creating a more AMAZING life together then join us for a fun and unique couples getaway at our  AMAZING Life Escape this November.  Throughout the Escape Liz and I will be leading several AMAZING Life Inspired sessions focused on turning your relationship into an AMAZING relationship.  Get more info by clicking here. And if you sign up before the end of the day today you can save $351 using code AMZESCAPE.  We can’t wait for you to join us!!