“The honeymoon phase doesn’t have to fade"

Inspired by a wedding I shot recently

I was at a wedding the other day and something the bride said in her speech during a beautiful winter reception caught my attention and I will forever carry it in my heart. (It even inspired me to write this blog post). She spoke life into her marriage by challenging the status quo of the "honey moon phase will fade."

What she said went a little something like this:

“The honeymoon phase doesn’t have to fade. We’re not of this world, so we don’t need to think like the world does.”

It reminded me of this verse:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you by changing the way you think.” — Romans 12:2 (NLT)

How powerful is this wayward thinking? It’s easy to believe that connection fades over time (cause that is what most people keep on telling you). But what if it doesn’t have to? What if love can actually get stronger, deeper, and more fun if you're intentional about keeping it that way?

Keep on reading for some inspiration if you're all about showing up for each other long after the I do’s, the hugs from your fav humans, Granny owning the dance floor, the last slice of cake disappearing, and that dress you dreamed about for years now hanging in the cupboard (and yes, you're still debating whether to sell it or not).

After 10 wonderful years with my hubby (and 3 of those as husband and wife!), I’ve learned just how important it is to stay connected and not drift apart. So, I thought I’d spoil you with 4 simple yet powerful ways form my perspective to stay close, grow together, and keep your marriage thriving.

4 Intentional Ways to Connect After the wedding

1. Build a “Check-In” Habit

The little moments matter more than you think, this sounds very basic and obvious but one can quickly fall into a habit of living past each other if you don't create this beautiful habit of intention. Let's avoid becoming "just roommates".

Try creating a weekly rhythm where you slow down, unplug and catch up with your person (nothing like a little bit of quality time), without distractions (very important: leave your phone/screen, silence the noise and focus on one other). It doesn’t have to be long or very deep. Just honest & present (like the person is the only thing on your mind right now kind of present). I believe that the best gift you can give someone is your time & attention.

You might be thinking, “Why is quality time such a big deal?” The truth is, it cultivates a foundation for your relationship to thrive. It helps you feel more emotionally connected, builds trust, and makes it easier to talk openly with each other. Plus, spending time together can seriously reduce stress and boost your mood. Yep, that’s the serotonin kicking in! And the best part? You’re being a constant whilst cheering each other on.

Ideas to check in and spend time together:

• Lean into the grace and goodness of God and start every week with a short prayer or simply thank God for something good in the week together.

  
  

• Saturday morning coffee - Whether it’s on the beach, at your favorite coffee shop, in the forest, or wandering through your fav market. This is the perfect time for a quick heart check. Take a moment to slow down, really listen to each other, and even ask your person where they need support from you right now. Here are a few heart check in prompts:

  
  

  • “What’s been the best part of your week?”

  • “Is there anything that’s been weighing on you that I can help carry?”

  • “How can I love you better this week?”

  • “What’s one small thing we can do together to make next week more fun?”

  • “Where do you feel most supported by me and where could I show up more?”

  • “What’s one dream or goal you’d love us to chase together?”

  • “Want to share one thing you’re grateful for about us this week?”

  
  

• a Walk after work where you each share one high and one low of the day

  
  

• Five-minute check-ins before bed with no phones in sight - Cards for Conversation (https://cardsforconversation.com/) is a lovely game to play just before bed time

  
  

• Go to your nearest Rain skin care store, buy a bath butter ball & take a bath together (https://shop.rainafrica.co.za/collections/earth-eggs-new) *The Cleopatra is my fav

  
  

• Start a weekly “no-screen” board game night - Pick a game you both enjoy. Personally, I love Canasta because it’s strategic and keeps you thinking, but anything that gets you excited and connecting works!

2. Do Something New Together (Often)

Doing something new together is such a fun way to keep the spark alive in your marriage. When you step out of your usual routine, you create space to laugh, learn, and experience life. It doesn’t need to be a big, fancy thing, just get a little creative and have fun with it. These little adventures remind you of the joy of discovering each other all over again and keep your connection full of life.

Out with the old, in with the new:

• Going on a local hike you haven’t tried before, or catching a sunrise on a beach you’ve never been to0.

  
  

• Inspired by a friend: Plan date nights around the alphabet. Pick a letter like “S” for sushi or “P” for poetry and build your whole date around it. You could do this every couple of weeks or whenever it fits your rhythm. It’s a playful way to mix things up and keep things exciting.

  
  

• Sign up for a cooking class together or if that feels like too much, just try learning to make sushi or another fun dish at home. Cooking side by side creates teamwork and plenty of laughter (and hopefully some delicious results).

  
  

• Saying yes to a spontaneous “yes” day where you just roll with whatever sounds fun

  
  

• Create a mini bucket list for the year with a mix of small adventures and cosy-at-home ideas. Having a list keeps you both excited about what’s next and helps you make the most of your time together

  
  

It’s not about ticking off big milestones, it’s about making space to keep discovering life together.

3. Grow on Purpose but with grace

A strong marriage isn’t just about doing life next to each other, it’s about growing in the same direction. And the truth is, you can only grow together when you’re also taking care of yourself. Fill up your cup. Spend time with God, nurture your passions, rest when you need to, so that you can show up with love and energy for your spouse. Then, look for ways to grow side by side. Remember you will not always match each others energy & you won’t always be growing at the same pace, and that’s okay. What really matters is that you’re both moving forward. And if one of you feels stuck, don’t ignore it, shake things up and help your person find their stride again so you can keep running this race side by side.

Grow with purpose:

• Take a few minutes to write your ultimate fav human a letter - Share what you admire about them, remind them that they are worthy, and point out some strengths you see in them that they may have forgotten. You could even include one thing you’re thankful for. Then, exchange letters over coffee or during a quiet evening. It’s an intentional way to speak life into each other.

  
  

• Choose a short, meaningful devotional to read together - Read it once a week and talk about it afterward. Some amazing options for couples include "The One Year Love Language Minute Devotional" by Gary Chapman, "Devotions for a Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas, or "The Marriage Devotional" by Levi and Jennie Lusko. These can spark great conversations and help you grow spiritually and emotionally together.

  
  

• Listen to the same podcast episode and chat about it after dinner - listen separately, then chat about it over dinner or during a walk. It’s a simple way to learn together and see life from each other’s perspective.

  
  

• Choose a topic you’re both curious about and learn together - Choose a topic you’re both curious about and dive into it together, whether it’s a new sport, trying your hand at cooking, or learning something educational that sparks your interest.

  
  

This doesn’t have to be deep and spiritual all the time. The goal is to stay curious about each other, motivating one another and cheering each other ons to be the best version of themselves.

4. Protect Your Play

Play isn’t just for the kids. It’s one of the most powerful ways to strengthen your marriage. Life can get serious very quickly, especially when you have a go at the thing called "adulting". When you create a space to laugh and be silly together, it automatically builds a safe space where walls come down, connection deepens and joy naturally flows. Play sparks intimacy and brings so much more than the occasional laugh. It is true life-giving to any relationship.

• Say yes to spontaneous adventures – Go for an unplanned drive, stop for ice cream at midnight, or visit a quirky local spot “just because.”

  
  

• Bring back inside jokes – Revisit old ones or create new ones. Share funny memes, silly voices, or playful texts during the day to keep the laughter going.

• Create Silly traditions like theme Night Dinners - Pick a theme (like Italian Night, Taco Tuesday, or Breakfast for Dinner) and fully commit. Accents, music, matching outfits… go all in!

  
  

Your relationship can be different

Don’t let culture convince you that love always fades. Don’t shrink your marriage into survival mode when God designed it to thrive & always remember that connection & intimacy is a journey not a destination.

YAY! Let's keeping the honeymoon phase alive with intentions, consistency and a whole lot of grace.

Let me know in the comments: “What rhythms have helped you stay connected after your I'do's? I'd love to hear your stories.”