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7 Things Happy Couples Do All The Time

By Dr. Jim Walkup, LMFT If you truly want the best relationship possible, don't leave the fate of your "happily in love" connection to luck or chance. Trust me, couples who thrive for the long-term actively choose behaviors that keep them in a good place with each other. As a marriage therapist who has been happily married and counseling for 40 years, here are the top seven habits I see ridiculously happy couples practice faithfully: 1. Spend time together. It is staggering how many couples come to my office having not spent a single meaningful moment together since their last session. I know, I know -- kids and jobs quickly derail your chances of alone time. But come on! You can't connect if you never spend time together. It's the most obvious and basic step of keeping love alive. So get with it, pull out your calendars, set a date to spend some time together and then honor it. Create a space (sans kids) where you can breathe together -- that is when meaningful connection and conversations occur. More from YourTango: Feeling Hopeless? Here's How To Save Your Marriage 2. Know your partner's love language. This one is so important. Just because your mom sang your praises for cleaning up your room doesn't mean your partner is as impressed by the act. We each value different loving behaviors and gestures in our relationship. Often couples have completely different love languages. If you don't know what you're partner's is, ask. Your honey has probably tried to share theirs, but you may have missed it. So, find out today. Just ask, "What things have I done that make you feel the most loved?" Perhaps it will be the time you surprised her by cooking dinner. Perhaps his will be just touching him affectionately. Or that time you threw him that surprise birthday party. Unsure of what the different love languages are? Make a date to flip through The Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman together. Discovering your partner's love language makes showing appreciation and affection truly fun again. 3. Commit to 20-second hugs twice a day. I'm not talking about a polite, A-shaped hug. I mean a hip-to-hip, really holding each other bear hug. Why must it last 20 seconds? Because that's how long it takes for your oxytocin to kick in (otherwise known as "the cuddle hormone") which gives you that delightful feeling that all is right with the world (and your relationship). I regularly "prescribe" 20-second hugs to my patients because the gesture is powerful medicine. So, every morning before you leave for work and then again when you get home, spend 20 full seconds in an embrace. I guarantee you, one or both of you will quickly slip into your happy place. But remember, because it works so well and feels so good, if you skip this ritual too often, your partner will soon feel uncared for. So commit to it and enjoy it! 4. Learn to listen (without interrupting). Nothing says "I love you" more than really listening when your partner speaks. About their thoughts. About their feelings. Even about that big meeting with their boss and their stressful, busy day. Authentic listening is a skill most people struggle with, however. It means shutting off your screens, dialing down your own thoughts, making eye contact, nodding your head in an appreciative way... you know, actually caring and being present. Supportive grunts and high-fives are also appropriate. Bonus points for touching your partner's arm at appropriate moments to show you're genuinely paying attention. Giving your partner the floor without needing to put in your own two cents (or stealing the spotlight) shows that their thoughts and feelings are as important to you as your own. Just make sure to mirror back what your partner says (without editorial comments, of course). Don't tell them what to do, simply reflect what you heard them say and your understanding of how it impacted them. 5. Keep each other in the loop. How can you know when to celebrate or commiserate with your partner if they don't keep you informed about what's going on in their life? If your partner believes their entire work future depends on keeping a current client happy, you can suggest dinner out to toast occasions when those happy client moments occur. Or when your partner shares that they're working through tension in a valued friendship, you can smile and show support when they report that speed bump was successfully smoothed over. We all want and need to come home to someone who carries us in their mind as we face the challenges and joys of our day. Knowing that your partner cares about your life outside of just your relationship together makes feel protected, cheered for, and like our place on Earth matters. More from YourTango: 50 Of The Best Marriage Tips, Ever 6. Actually plan your future together (as in, on an actual calendar!) Most of the stuff that matters in relationships won't happen unless it's on the calendar. This includes sex, getting together with friends, and making time to see each other (see habit #1!). Making time every month to set goals together will increase your sense that you're on the same journey together, planning a meaningful future that you both prioritize and value. Remember, you're on a team, so pull together, whether it's around the children, your individual career goals, your sex life, or just figuring out what you want to do this weekend. 7. Reassure each other. Everyone needs reassurance from time to time. Don't wait until one of you needs it to give it. Frequently affirming how much you care keeps the other person relaxed and feeling safe in your relationship. Sometimes an out-of-nowhere, heartfelt "I love you" instantly makes up for all of those moments when you didn't understand each other. And nothing keeps us feeling secure in our relationships like hearing all of the ways our partner appreciates us. It's hard to slip into insecurity about their love when they've just mentioned two reasons why they're so glad you're in their life. Human beings survive across the ages because our brains evolved with a negativity bias -- remaining ever alert to what's possibly wrong. Our brains feed us flashes of every potential danger which often means we're imagining some of them. When you see your partner panic and "make up" a problem, rather than get mad or defensive, reach out to them calmly. They just need some reassurance to quiet that primal part of their brain down again. Focus on what you want to see more of. The common thread of the seven habits above is that they each teach couples to focus on what is going right in their relationship versus what is going wrong. So celebrate what you want to see more of. Compliment instead of criticize. Deep down we all yearn for the feeling found in the beautiful words of Mr. Rogers, "I love you ... just the way you are." Challenge yourself to let go of criticism, and invite your partner to rest in the happiness of being loved for exactly that. This article originally appeared on YourTango. More great content from YourTango: Want more from HuffPost Weddings? Visit us on Pinterest! Follow HuffPost Weddings's board Spot-On Marriage Advice on Pinterest.Also on HuffPost: Emotional Wedding Moments http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yourtango/7-normal-things-happy-cou_b_6290514.html

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Although Their Stride Is In Sync, Hes Walking Ahead Of Her.

Unfortunately, their marriage will probably go down in history as one of Hollywood's shortest (72 days) but as Kim herself later said, it's a life lesson . "Kris is making it clear that hes top dog in the relationship. As theyre walking in the studio together, hes walking ahead of Kim. And, his hand is on top of hers, which is a clue that perhaps hes the dominant one in the relationship. Although their stride is in sync, hes walking ahead of her. Another subtle sign that Kris is taking charge in the relationship," says Cobb. View photos Kanye West Who can forget Kim and Kanye's over-the-top nuptials in Florence? The bride was beaming in a Givenchy Haute Couture gown and guests included Serena Williams, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. Two years later, it seems that Mr and Mrs West are still going strong looking more and more in love every time they step out together. "Kanye is clearly into Kim. His body is turned more towards Kim than hers to his.

visit source - https://www.yahoo.com/news/body-language-expert-says-man-195133822.html

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Thats The Biggest Amount Since The 279.5 Tons Imported In The Fourth Quarter Of 2014.

Net inbound shipments more than doubled to 270.1 metric tons from 127.4 tons a year earlier, council data showed Thursday. Thats the biggest amount since the 279.5 tons imported in the fourth quarter of 2014. Domestic demand gained 15 percentto 123.5 tons in the first quarter, and if this trend continues and there are no sharp changes in prices, purchases may be at the upper end of the range of 650 tons to 750 tons estimated for 2017, according toP.R. Somasundaram, the councils managing director in India. Consumption is recovering after plunging to a seven-year low of 666.1 tons in 2016. Imports last year tumbled 39 percent to 557.7 tons after buyers reduced spending on jewelry because of higher prices, the governments measures to increase transparency in the financial system and a crackdown on black money. The rupees appreciation significantly shielded Indians from sharper price increases, as buyers returned to the market after weak demand in 2016 following the governments measures against unaccounted wealth, he said. Opportunistic purchasing by investors and an increase in restocking in addition to forecasts for a normal monsoon probably mean healthy demand for gold in the first half, he said. There are definite speedbreakers like the uniform goods and services tax, which could interrupt this trend, Somasundaram said in a phone interview from Mumbai on Wednesday.

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Follow Peggy On Twitter And Follow Cosmo Celeb On Facebook .

The newlyweds, who met on the set of Orange Is the New Black, have been providing updates of their adventures on Instagram. Here are the ladies enjoying an in-flight beer: Here they are in Florence with dozens of other honeymooners and tourists alike: Another stunning view: And Samira and a pair of street performers: Samira, who can next be seen in Hulus adaptation of A Handmaids Tale with Elisabeth Moss, also celebrated her 30th birthday on the trip. My wife took this picture, I didnt put a filter on it, and were on our honeymoon in Italy, she wrote on Instagram, along with a photo of herself in front of the Arno river at sunset. Lauren also shared a birthday message for her new wife, along with photos of Samira sleeping while in transit. As documented in Martha Stewart Weddings , the couple both wore Christian Siriano gowns for their wedding, which was officiated by Samiras parents. Samira and Lauren announced their engagement last October in matching Instagram posts after dating for about two years. Follow Peggy on Twitter and follow Cosmo Celeb on Facebook . You Might Also Like

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Match Did Not Respond To A Request For Comment On Monday.

But after paying $44.99 for three months of access, Perkins quickly discovered that most if not all of those users had inactive accounts and were, as a result, impossible to date, according to the suit. OkCupids actions constitute a breach of contract and violate both the Illinois Dating Referral Services Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, the lawsuit claims.The suit was filed in the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois. (Abby Ohlheiser) The lawsuit is seeking class-action status. Perkins' attorney, William Sweetnam, said the suit seeksmore than $5 million in damages, but he didn't give a specific number. OkCupid, which launched in 2004, is owned by Dallas-based Match Group, which also oversees online dating platforms Tinder, PlentyOfFish, Pairs and BlackPeopleMeet. While Match Group offers some services for free, many add-on options require fees and have strict cancellation policies. Match Group told Perkins, in an e-mail cited in the lawsuit, that the inactive user problem was caused by a software bug. Our developers are aware of the issue, and we are working on a fix so this doesnt happen going forward, Match Group said, according to the suit. Its definitely not something we did on purpose, and Im sorry to hear that this bug affected you at all. The response from Match Group "was not so much an explanation as an effort to conceal the fraud," the lawsuitclaims. Match did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. Match Group operates in more than 190 countries and reported earning $1.22 billion in revenuein 2016.

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When You Do Go On A Date, Make It A Public Place, Giving All The Details Of Where You'll Be And Who You'll Be With To Friends And Family.

Consumer Reports also found that OKCupid and Tinder are more popular among millennials, while Generation Xers and Baby Boomers are more likely to use a paid subscription-based dating website or app such as Match.com . The consumer watchdog says you can improve your odds of finding love with the way you craft your online dating profile and offers advice here . But even the best digital match cant guarantee chemistry. Thats why its important to go on a date to meet someone in person early in the process. Learn more about how online dating works . Online dating safety is key No matter which online dating site you try, your safety must come first. In fact, Consumer Reports found 56% women and 41percent of men hesitated trying online dating because of concerns about scams. To help protect yourself, you can do the following: Before meeting anyone in person, search the full name he or she has given online. See if photos that come up in that search match the ones used on the online dating site. When you do go on a date, make it a public place, giving all the details of where you'll be and who you'll be with to friends and family. Experts say it is important to follow your gut and recognize warning signs. Examples of warning signs include someone -- who you have not met in person -- wants you to leave the dating site's secure messaging to communicate some other way.

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Theroux And Aniston Tied The Knot In A Secret Ceremony In August 2015 , And The Actor Says He Has No Regrets When It Comes To Keeping Their Special Day Clandestine.

Please use a supported version for the best MSN experience. EXCLUSIVE: Justin Theroux Says He Would 'Definitely' Like to Write a TV Role for Wife Jennifer Aniston ETOnline 5 days ago Zach Seemayer Click to expand EXCLUSIVE: Justin Theroux Would 'Definitely' Write a TV Role for Wife Jennifer Aniston ETonline CNN 1:18 UP NEXT With his acclaimed HBO drama The Leftovers kicking off its third and final season later this month, Justin Theroux is getting ready to start in on some new projects, and the multi-talented star said he'd love for them to include his wife, Jennifer Aniston. "Right now I'm actually going to be focused on writing," Theroux told ET's Leanne Aguilera during an HBO press junket for The Leftovers on Monday. "So I have a few things that I've actually already written that I'm tweaking and retooling and another thing I want to write." In the past, Aniston has said that if she ever did return to TV, she'd like it to be as part of a show on a premium cable network. With Aniston willing to jump onboard a scripted series, and Theroux turning his attention to writing, it could be a match made in heaven. PHOTOS: Celebrity romances, engagements and weddings of 2017 Celebrity romances, engagements and weddings of 2017 "If the right thing came around I would definitely [write] it," shared the 45-year-old Girl on the Train star , whose screenwriting resume includes films like Tropic Thunder and Iron Man 2. "We toss around ideas occasionally, but it's got to be something I want to write and something she wants to act in, which is harder than you might think." "But yeah, it would be fantastic if we were able to do something together," he added. Theroux and Aniston tied the knot in a secret ceremony in August 2015 , and the actor says he has no regrets when it comes to keeping their special day clandestine. ET caught up with Theroux at CinemaCon 2017 in Las Vegas last week, where he opened up about their choice to keep their nuptials low-key : "It's so much more special when it's just your closest friends and family and it's lovely," he explained. "[Aniston and I] wanted it to be a peaceful environment, you don't want it to be hectic." Check out the video below to hear more.

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It Has The Initials Myp Etched On Its Back.

The Elgin HIstory Museuem recently received this woman's watch which dates to the 1930s and which made its way from Arkansas back to Elgin. (Mike Danahey / The Courier-News) Privacy Policy A petite woman's Elgin watch dating to the 1930s recently made it back from Arkansas to the town where it was made, with a well-traveled story part of its packaging. The timepiece had been in the possession of Lea Little of Russellville, Ark. for decades, until she put it in bubble wrap and mailed it in January to the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith, Ark. and the desk of reporter John Lovett. Along with the watch, Little sent a typed note recounting how her father, Herman Neihouse, found the watch in Fort Smith, probably in the 1950s. It has the initials MYP etched on its back. Herman and Agatha Neihouse ran a service station in Fort Smith, so one theory is the watch could have belonged to any number of people who stopped by the business to get gas. Little told Lovett her father kept the tiny watch with a group of other watches until he died in 1996.

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And If A Couple Makes The Ill-advised Decision To Have Their Wedding During Football Season, Or Even Worse Chooses The Day Of A Crucial Match-up To Say I Do, They Better Be Prepared To Give The Rabid Football Fans Among The Guest List (and We Are Willing To Bet There Are Quite A Few), What They Want-a Big Screen With The Game.

In a city where the police department has a division dedicated to solely to parades, it makes sense that one of the most popular wedding traditions in New Orleans is the second line parade. Behind the first line-made up of brass musicians, and sometimes even a Grand Marshall to energetically lead the newlywed couple, wedding party and guests-the second line is full of dancing, singing, and handkerchief flinging all the way to the reception. Nothing can interfere with game day. Not even your Big Day. As we all know, when it comes to college football, Southerners dont play around-game day is a very serious matter. And if a couple makes the ill-advised decision to have their wedding during football season, or even worse chooses the day of a crucial match-up to say I do, they better be prepared to give the rabid football fans among the guest list (and we are willing to bet there are quite a few), what they want-a big screen with the game. And who knows, you might just hear the bride and groom belting out battle cries! Monograms are mandatory. While its bad luck for the bride to monogram her new married initials onto anything before the wedding day by the standards of superstition, its perfectly acceptable for her to monogram everyone else's.

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I Have My Studies Going On.

According to reports, the wedding happened at a temple in Alappuzha with the presence of their friends and family members. Interestingly, the reception saw the presence of Dulquer Salmaan and Sunny Wayne. It must be noted that Gauthami Nair made her acting debut alongside Dulquer Salmaan in Second Show, which also marked Srinath Rajendran's debut film as a director. While the film fetched Gauthami the Asianet Award for Best New Face (Female), it was Diamond Necklace that shot her to fame. Gauthami won the Filmfare Award for the Best Supporting Actress for Diamond Necklace. Last seen in Campus Diaries, Gauthami Nair is yet to sign her next film. Speaking about her acting career post marriage, Gauthami was d by Manorama as saying, "I think my life will be pretty much the same after wedding. I have my studies going on. In between, if some good roles come by, I will go ahead with it, obviously.

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I Think, Anybody, If They Were In My Position If They Were 23 With A Kid For The First Time And Were Working They Would Find Comfort In Being Able To Stay With Their Parents.

Youll receive free e-mail news updates each time a new story is published. Youre all set! By Bryanna Cappadona By Bryanna Cappadona March 15 Follow @brycappa (Getty Images) Ben Affleck revealed in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he completed treatment for alcohol addiction. It is something Ive dealt with in the past and will continue to confront, he wrote. I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be. Im lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, [Jennifer Garner], who has supported me and cared for our kids as Ive done the work I set out to do. Garner and Affleck have been separated since in 2015, but have not yet filed for divorce. A source told People that Garner is happy that he is working on himself. Affleck previously entered rehab for alcohol addiction in 2001. AP/Express (Getty Images) Millennials Nooooooo Chances folks Chance the Rapper said in an interview with Complex that hed like to move back in with his family. Im honestly, in real life, thinking about moving in with my parents, he said. I think, anybody, if they were in my position if they were 23 with a kid for the first time and were working they would find comfort in being able to stay with their parents. Chance had a daughter, Kensli, in September 2015 with his then-girlfriend, Kirsten.

visit source - https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2017/03/15/ben-affleck-says-he-completed-treatment-for-alcohol-addiction/

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Find Out More In The Video Above, And Detailed Below.

According to Page Six , Hallie and Hunter, 47, started dating after the death of Beau, who died at the age of 46 after suffering from brain cancer in May 2015. Find out more in the video above, and detailed below. Hunter, who shares three daughters with estranged wife Kathleen, told Page Six in a statement published on Wednesday, March 1: Hallie and I are incredibly lucky to have found the love and support we have for each other in such a difficult time, and thats been obvious to the people who love us most. Weve been so lucky to have family and friends who have supported us every step of the way. The lawyer (who is the eldest son of former Vice President Joe Biden) and Kathleen wed in 2002 and separated in October 2015, five months after former Delaware attorney general Beaus death. The relationship has also been blessed by patriarch Joe and his wife, Jill Biden. We are all lucky that Hunter and Hallie found each other as they were putting their lives together again after such sadness, the politician said in a statement to Page Six. They have mine and Jills full and complete support and we are happy for them. According to Page Six, Kathleen declined to comment. Us Weekly has reached out to the Biden family for comment. Related:

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What Shoes Am I Wearing?

I wasn't getting anything out of it except my name out there and my face out there, and I don't need that." "It wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't me," he said. "I don't need pictures of myself when I'm driving my car. Who cares? What shoes am I wearing? Who cares? Where am I eating? Who cares? It was unnecessary stuff that I think trickled down to my teammates. I had to eliminate that." Harden and Kardashian called it quits in February 2016 after eight months of dating.

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The Grooms Charcoal And White Number Was Designed By Bettl Hanbok, While Paks Bridesmaids Wore Beaded Gowns In Silver, Navy And Blush Tones, And Groomsmen Sported Dark Suits.

Surrounded by ethereal flowers and butterfly-embellished china, the two celebrated with 220 guests at a ceremony that mixed together elements of their heritage with their quirky tastes. In order to keep the ceremony very relaxed and focused on a greater message of love, Yeun tells Martha Stewart Weddings that they didnt focus too much on religion. However, the two turned to their Korean heritage for their outfits, which were versions of the classic Korean Hanbok, and honored their parents by giving their mothers bouquets during the ceremony. RELATED PHOTOS: The Bride Wore What? Unconventional Celebrity Wedding Dresses The brides, designed byMeeHee Hanbok Couture, included a floral-embroidered silver top and fluffy white tulle skirt, which she paired with a pair of Celine pumps and a voluminous side braid. The grooms charcoal and white number was designed by Bettl Hanbok, while Paks bridesmaids wore beaded gowns in silver, navy and blush tones, and groomsmen sported dark suits. There were more elements of their shared Korean heritage at the party, including Korean-American fusion food and celebration noodles for a late-night snack, but the music was split between a DJ and a Motown band. You can see even more gorgeous photos of the evening here . What do you think of the couples soiree?

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There's A Template For An Easy-to-make Paper Oscar Statuette On My Website All You Need Is Some Gold Paper, Scissors And Tape Or Glue!

Personalize simple gold coins with an on-theme sticker like a film reel. Use accessories from party sites like Shindigz or Oriental Trading to really set the scene like film clappers or a roll of Admit One tickets. Use leftover tickets in any games your guests playfor every correct prediction, for example, guests get a ticket. The guest with the most tickets at the end of the night wins a prize! Play Games That'll Cost You Next to Nothing There are so many games you can play at yourparty that cost nothing or very little. There's a template for an easy-to-make paper Oscar Statuette on my website all you need is some gold paper, scissors and tape or glue! Sites like Oriental Trading also have plastic versions. Hand out awards to your guests for best dressed, highest number of correct award predictions, best impersonation of a thank you speechthe list goes on! Other games to play during commercial breaks could be charades based on that year's nominees or movie trivia. Start thinking aboutthat guest listyou're having a party!

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In February, Trump Fired Then National Security Adviser Michael Flynn For Misleading Vice President Mike Pence About His Contacts With Kislyak.

But he said he couldnt speak for other authorized entities in the government or a state or local entity. Allegations that Trumps team possibly colluded with Russia have cast a shadow over his young presidency. Just last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was forced to withdraw from Justice Department probes into Russian influence after revelations that he offered possibly misleading testimony during his confirmation hearing about his contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. In February, Trump fired then national security adviser Michael Flynn for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Kislyak. (1/4) Reports concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling. — Sean Spicer (@PressSec) March 5, 2017 White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended Trumps wiretap claim and the White House call for an investigation Sunday on ABC News. I think he is going off information hes seen that has led him to believe that this is a very real potential, she said. The American people have a right to know if this took place. But Democrats slammed Trump for the accusation. The President is the Deflector-in-Chief anything to change the subject from where the heat is, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. said on CNN State of the Union.

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How To Become A Wedding Planner

Wedding planners are in a special position and their daily lives are a dream job for many. How many people can say their job is to plan the most important day of their clients' lives--and get paid handsomely to do it? Make no mistake: wedding planning comes with a lot of stress (especially once you get near the big day), but with the right personality and a healthy dose of hard work, wedding planning can be the perfect career. The impact that planners make on their clients and the satisfaction that planners have with their work is unlike any other job in the world. Best of all, weddings will never go out of fashion, so your job security is essentially guaranteed. Given the unlimited potential of this career and of the wedding industry in general, more and more young men and women are trying to learn how to become a wedding planner and maybe even start their own successful wedding planning business. I did the research so all you have to do is read on to learn how to become a wedding planner in four easy [maybe...] steps! Step 1: Learn the Business There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what wedding planning involves, and while it's a dream job for some, it isn't right for everyone. What you think wedding planning is may not be what is actually turns out to be, so the ideal first step is learning as much as you can about the business from professional wedding planners who have shared their real-world experience. Then, once you've got an accurate impression of the wedding planning industry, you'll be better equipped if you decide to officially dive in. The most popular and widely respected book on becoming a wedding planner is the Wedding Planner's Handbook written by Kristie Santana, a professional wedding planner and board member of the National Association of Wedding Professionals (NAWP). The book has helped thousands of young men and women start their own wedding planning careers and offers an authentic insider's view of being a professional wedding planner.

Before spending money on a certification course or spending months interning with an existing company, spend a day or two reading up on the wedding planning business and you'll be much more prepared to start your career on the right foot. Google is also your friend when researching as are local professionals in the business. You can never learn too much! Step 2: Get Certified (Optional) If you ask professional wedding planners whether they believe paying for certification is worth it or not, you'll probably get one of two extreme answers. Either they will believe wedding planner certification is valuable and highly recommended, or they will scoff and advise you to save your money for something with real value. Like many difficult questions in life, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Let's be clear here. No certification is not necessary to plan a wedding. And no, it will not directly help you land any clients once you're up and running. But if you feel you can comfortably afford certification (tuition is usually $1-2k) and you don't take your certificate as a replacement for hands-on experience, there is a lot to gain and little to lose by enrolling in a certification course. While you may understand how to successfully plan a wedding, this is only half of the challenge of being a wedding planner. The other half--and it can be the more difficult half if you've never started a business before--is understanding how to legally run a company. A certification program will guide you through this process and get you up to speed on business structure, tax considerations, writing contracts, etc. Either way, performing in-depth Google searches about the legality of running a company is never a bad idea. Step 3: Get Hands-On Experience Once you feel like you understand the industry, it's time to get out there and get your feet wet. There is absolutely no replacement for the experience of immersing yourself in a real wedding and there are many different ways you can find them. If you love weddings like me, this is the best part of the whole job!

First, and perhaps most obvious, is calling local wedding planners and asking if they'd be willing to accept an intern. This method is effective because businesses can always use more help--especially if it's free! While it might seem counterproductive to work for free, think of it this way: it's always better to make your first mistakes on someone else's dime! Not only that, but you'll pick up dozens of little tips and tricks that you'll be able to apply to your own business one day. If you're not finding any luck offering your services to an existing company, look through your contacts and find someone you know who is in the midst of planning their own wedding (or will be soon). Explain that you're working on becoming a wedding planner yourself and you'd love to plan their wedding, free of charge. If they accept, this will be an even greater responsibility than working as an intern because you'll be completely in charge instead of shadowing someone else. Whether it's for a company or a friend, getting hands on experience planning a real wedding is the only way to truly immerse yourself in this business. You'll be glad you did! Step 4: Land Your First Clients Congratulations! You've opened your doors and you're waiting for the phone to ring to start booking clients. As you'll soon find out, finding ways to get the phone to ring more and more often will take up a large part of your day as a wedding planner. Regardless of how many different marketing methods you choose to employ for your business, it helps to choose one of them to specialize in. For example, let's say you've chosen to allocate your marketing budget to three primary avenues: bridal expos, Facebook advertising, and promoting on Yelp. If you split your attention between all three equally, you might be decent in all three but still fail to really stand out in any of them.

What you want to do instead is try several different marketing avenues and find the one that you excel at the most and perfect that strategy. Once you feel you're the leader in that marketing avenue (e.g. ranked first in Yelp, the busiest table at the bridal expo, etc.), move on to the next one. The goal is to eventually stand out across all marketing avenues, which will signal to your potential clients that you are the premier wedding planner in your area. Ask ten different wedding planners what a "typical day" looks like and you'll get ten different answers. For some, this unpredictable lifestyle is the ideal work environment to exercise a creative mind; for others, it's absolute mayhem and they'd rather be working in a more structured job. To make sure you understand exactly what this line of work entails, take in as much information as you can before embarking on your journey to becoming a wedding planner. If it turns out that this is the right career for you, you'll be rewarded over and over again with every beaming bride you meet and service. You can find more articles written by Victoria on her personal blog www.followmeaway.com http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victoria-yore/how-to-become-a-wedding-p_b_12591552.html