Part 4: Fiancé Appreciation
Welcome back to RiverStone’s Month of Thankfulness! As we continue to discuss ways to express appreciation for the important people in the lives of our couples, you might be surprised to hear that there is one critical person who tends to get overlooked during wedding season… the FIANCE!!! We are talking about your best friend. The one you’ve chosen to spend forever with. Your love for one another is the very reason this wedding is a reality. But sadly, amidst the hustle and bustle of wedding season, it’s easy to take one another for granted. So today we’re sharing some ideas to help you express gratitude to your one and only!
Pro tip: Make it a habit to express your appreciation for your spouse throughout your marriage, and you’ll be amazed at the positive impact this has on your relationship for many years to come!
Gifts
The sky truly is the limit when it comes to personalizing pre-wedding and wedding gifts for your fiancé. Nobody knows the love of your life like you do…So jot down some of the things that make them tick and find a way to design a gift around their interests, values, passions and/or personal style. Here are a few ideas to help get you started…
- For the Sophisticate
Jewelry & personalized cufflinks are classic wedding gifts that won’t go out of style. If you want to wow your fiancé with sparkle and shine, this is a beautiful choice!
- For the Free Spirit
Give your fiancé a fun pair of dress socks to wear down the aisle. Embroider them or attach a note that says, “In case you get cold feet” and include your wedding date for an extra special touch.
Or give your fiancé a watch that’s set to the time you plan to say “I Do” and wrapped with a note that says, “See you at the altar.”
- For the Adventurer
Treat your fiancé to a one of a kind trip, experience, concert, or sporting event that you know they would love.
- For the Romantic
Shower your fiancé with gifts throughout your wedding day. Have coffee, tequila, bourbon, or flowers delivered to their room. Send sweet texts, touch base with a phone call, or enlist a member of your wedding party to deliver a verbal message that will make your fiancé feel extra loved as they prepare for your upcoming ceremony.
- For the Sentimentalist
Give your fiancé a piece of personalized artwork that has significant meaning to you as a couple. For example: framed song lyrics or poetry, a photograph of an important place, an oil painting of a pet, a framed record or memento. Or make a photo scrapbook that chronicles some of the important memories you have shared together.
Gestures
Gratitude is a mindset that naturally permeates our actions. Here are a few ideas for how to express your appreciation to your fiancé through gestures…
Define expectations early and clearly. This includes expectations about how you will distribute any and all wedding related responsibilities as well as expectations for how you will manage your future together.- Respect the budget. If you set a wedding budget, stick to it! By establishing that you’re both dedicated to honoring your financial commitments now, you’ll build trust that will be help you make important financial decisions as a couple in the future.
- Put each other first. That means, by default, many other things (and sometimes other people) will have to come second. The key is to try to find a balance, but ultimately letting your fiancé know that they do come first when it counts is critical to communicating how much you appreciate them.
- Perform a choreographed dance, sing a song, or read a poem for your fiancé during your reception. For a really fun way to surprise your spouse and entertain your guests, consider getting your bridesmaids and/or groomsmen involved in the performance.
- Engrave your fiancé’s ring with a special message or date that is significant to your relationship (first date, engagement date, wedding date, etc.)
Define expectations early and clearly. This includes expectations about how you will distribute any and all wedding related responsibilities as well as expectations for how you will manage your future together.Words of Gratitude
Once again, we cannot overstate the importance of directly communicating your gratitude to your fiancé. Let them know how much they mean to you and thank them for the things they do that have a positive impact on your life. Write them love letters. Tell them you are thankful for them. Tell them you love them. Get creative! Prerecord a video message and give it to them the morning of your wedding. And after the wedding, continue communicating your gratitude to one another in whatever ways you can think of. The joy it will bring to both of you will be a game-changer to your marriage.
