19 Tips to help your marriage thrive in 2019! Featuring: The Bello’s

I’m really excited to share this collaboration with you. It was small but meaningful and I was able to connect with some beautiful people to make this come to life!

Inspiration/Vision: This session was inspired by a motion photo booth I saw at one of the weddings I recently photographed. I captured a few shots of my couple at the booth and it sparked something inside of me to desire to create something that felt a little like New Year’s Eve in NYC.

The couple: When I thought of the idea, I knew that I had to work with a couple who had these three elements: STYLE, SOPHISTICATION, and FUN! The Bello’s immediately came to mind. I’ve known the Bello’s through church events and through instagram only, I never had the joy of meeting them in person, and when I heard that they had moved into my hometown after living in Los Angeles for so long…I knew I had to work with them!

The Team: Some of the beautiful people behind this collaboration include of course, Alberto and Ashley Bello [our couple/models], Lily Pimentel-Vega [Hairstylist who specializes in the type of hairstyle I needed-a vintage modern glam], and finally In Motion Pro [a well rounded team of digital and graphic artists in our industry who also run a slow motion booth at special events].

More on Alberto and Ashley Bello. I wanted to make sure to bring on a couple who had some wisdom to add to this very beautiful and fun collaboration. Mutual friends introduced these two beautiful people and through some hard work and dedication, they are able to maintain a thriving marriage after eleven years! Ashley loves Alberto’s drive and passion-the fact that he gives 110% to everything he does including husband, father, leader, volunteer, just to name a few! It is Ashley’s sense of joy for life and adventure and her determination to lead her family into new territory while accomplishing everything she sets out to do that still makes Alberto’s heart thrive for her. I was shocked to hear that the Bello’s are actually both naturally introverted people-you wouldn’t think so since they are amazing communicators and pastors. They both agreed that if they were not in the position that they’re in now, they’d probably both be some kind of stylists/designers since that is a gift they both naturally have. [When you see some of the photos you’ll see a glimpse of this…they are on it! And the floral blazer and fur jacket….yes-enough said!]

I’m excited to share these images with you, but most of all…I’m excited for you to get these 19 tips from the Bello’s to help your marriage THRIVE in 2019! If you’re on the fence of getting married…you may just want to save this for the future!

19 Tips to help your marriage THRIVE in 2019

1. Date one another.

Consistently. Make it happen. -This is a non-negotiable for us and we truly believe it’s been what has kept us through the hardest moments. You only get a return on what you invest. 

2. Pray together and for one another regularly.

Let’s face it-some battles can only be sorted out in prayer.

3. Hold hands regularly.

Show each other affection.

4. Choose your battles wisely!  

Some things aren’t worth the fight and it’s okay to agree to disagree. 

5. Take the time to process conflict.

Allow your partner to search their heart and get to the root of the issue.

6. COMMUNICATE YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

Don’t assume. 

7.  Put your phone down.

Everyone else can wait! We have started to practice this more and more when we are spending time together.

8.  Surround yourselves with the RIGHT kind of couples.

Those that will elevate, not hate. 

9. Don’t take advice from your ratchet friends. 

10.  Comparison is the thief of all things.

Don’t compare your relationship to someone else’s. The grass is greener where you water it.

11.  Encourage and affirm one another.

Take the time to reflect on the things you appreciate.

12.  Plan a getaway.

Every once or even twice a year if possible. It doesn’t have to be a trip to Paris. A simple weekend getaway, a few hours away, can do wonders for your souls. You will be better spouses and parents for it.

13.  Do the things you did in the beginning.

If you bought flowers, buy the flowers years after. Leave the love notes on the bathroom mirror. Again, the return is derived from the investment.

14. Fill each other’s love tanks.

According to what your partner desires, not what you desire. Selflessness is essential to a healthy marriage folks!

15. Have sex.

We’re all grown ups here. 

16.  Honor one another.

You will never catch us speaking ill of each other. 

17. Husbands: love your wives. Wives: respect your husbands. 

18.  Have vision for your marriage.

Set goals, dream together and allow one another to dream for themselves as well.

19. *Insert Brian McKnight song* Repeat steps 1-18. 

Happy 2019! -Alberto + Ashley Bello