Craig & Ashley are celebrating!

Seven Years Down – Forever To Go! According to Google, this is the ‘Copper & Wool’ anniversary.

We have had the privilege of watching and photographing these two amazing people beginning on their wedding day and many, many times since then.

We just did their family photo shoot at Founders Hall in Hershey and Ashley mentioned that they were going on seven years already! How time flies! We asked to do an interview of their wedding and marriage and they happily agreed. Here are some thought from the happy couple…

What was one of your favorite parts of your wedding day?

“Being able to say I do and make our life long commitment in front of all our family and friends.  Craig says the wedding night. 🙂 “

What would you have changed about your wedding day?

“We wish more people would have stayed longer at the reception. “

Deb here with some tips on how to get guests to stay longer at the reception…

Tip 1 – Do a ‘First Look’ …..

Example timeline: 12:30 – Bride and Groom meet at a secluded place with only photographers capturing. 1:00 – Adults from the Wedding party 2:00 – Kids from the wedding party 2:15 – Immediate family 2:45 Go back to ceremony site and get re-prepped, eat and rest. 3:00 ceremony! This way you only need to take photos of Grandparents and extended family after the ceremony. You can also join in the cocktail hour this way! This keeps the party rolling with less ‘down time’ for your guests to get bored and feel like they have been there a long time.

Tip 2 – If you have a cocktail hour, be sure to give your guests plenty of games to play, things to look at and LOTS of FOOD to eat.

Tip 3 – Don’t put out desserts or cut the cake until a little later. Guests start taking desserts right after they eat unless there is a cute little sign saying to wait till the cake cutting. Guests often start leaving after they have had dessert and/or cake cutting.

Is marriage easier or harder than you thought it would be?

“It’s harder then we thought it would be. I don’t know if this is for everyone but in the church we grew up in everyone’s marriage seemed great and that it was easy being married. Then when you start running into conflict or issues and become frustrated we would talk to people and find out that those things were normal. No one ever explains that till you are already married. “

• 

How about parenting?

“It is both more fun and more frustrating than we thought it would be. The highs are higher then we thought and the lows are lower. But in the end when they look up to you and smile and say Daddy or Mommy I love you Its all worth it.  And everyone goes through rough patches with your kids don’t ever feel like you’re alone. We’ve all been there. “

Some marriage advice…

“Don’t stress over the little things that may go wrong. Nobody will know. Communication is key!! Not just the standard you are listening. Make sure you are understanding what they are saying and that they are understanding what you are saying. 70 to 80% of conflict comes from misunderstandings not actual disagreements. Don’t go to bed angry that doesn’t mean you need to solve all the problems it just means you need to resolve any hurt feelings. “

“Try to make time for date nights especially when you have kids. Even if it’s a night in after they go to bed.” 

Well folks, there ya have it. And to Craig & Ashley, Seven Years Down – Forever To Go! Congratulations guys! Looking forward to capturing the next seven years!