Let’s be real: all that endless online dating advice is exhausting. It makes us miss a huge, kind of obvious secret about strong couples: The giant life goals (values, future plans) actually show up as tiny, repeating daily habits. Dating coach Frances Kelleher calls these “micro-compatibilities,” and they’re basically the secret sauce. Since you can’t…
Author: Ralph Griggs
Wedding minister officiant serving the Nashville and middle Tennessee area for 20 plus years. Non-denominational and personalized ceremonies. At-Home marriage prep course author.
We’ve Heard of Red Flags in Relationships, But What About Green Flags
In premarital counseling, I’ve often talked with them about red flags in relationships. Often, those are personality issues or family of origen background differences. But there are green flags too! One of the biggest green flags—yet rarely talked about—is something called mutual influence. The Gottmans (well-known relationship researchers) describe mutual influence as being willing to…
What Does “Couple Chemistry” Mean—and What Does It Mean for a Marriage?
When couples sit down with me before the ceremony, one question always pops into my mind (and sometimes out of my mouth): What’s your chemistry like?Not the Hollywood fireworks. Not the Instagram version of love. I’m talking about the real stuff—the day-to-day feel of being together. So let’s unpack what “couple chemistry” actually is, and…
Luxury Touches for Your Nashville Wedding (Without Breaking the Bank)
Everybody loves a little luxury. Nobody loves the bill that usually comes with it. The good news? In Nashville, you can pull off a classy, elevated wedding vibe without stepping into “we need a second mortgage” territory. It just takes some smart choices, a little creativity, and knowing where to spend (and where not to)….
I Saw Dolly at a Nashville Wedding
Looks like everybody has a Dolly story. I do too. Years ago I officiated a wedding at Wightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett. Unknown to me, the groom was a nephew of Dolly Parton. I didn’t make the discover until the start of the ceremony. The groom and I walked out into the chapel and waited for…
Options for How You Want to Be Introduced at the End of Your Ceremony
Most couples don’t think about this until the last minute…but that moment right after the kiss? The one where everyone cheers, the music hits, and you walk back down the aisle?That moment starts with how you want to be introduced. And yes—there are options. More than you think. Here are the most common (and some…
Building a Marriage Love That Lasts
1. Turn stress into a team project.Life throws curveballs. Happy couples don’t face them alone — they ask, “Okay, how do we tackle this together?” The quicker you reframe a problem as a joint mission, the faster you move from spinning to solving. 2. Start nice, not just end nice.The tone you set in the…
What Happy Marriages Do Differently
Happy couples aren’t perfect. They still argue, get annoyed, and occasionally act like normal humans. The difference is what they do with the tough moments. 1. They don’t stay negative for long.When things get tense, they naturally slip in little moments of humor, kindness, or shared understanding. It’s not fake — it’s just their way…
The Great Greeting Debate: To Line Up or Not to Line Up?
From where I stand—usually right between you and your guests—I witness the exact moment the adrenaline crash happens. You’ve said the vows, exchanged the rings, and I’ve pronounced you married. We walk back down the aisle, you duck into a side room to sign the license, and then… the panic sets in. “Wait, do we…
What’s Up With Services That Offer to Write a Custom Song for Your Wedding?
Okay, picture this:It’s your wedding day.You’ve got the dress. The suit. The flowers. The venue.And then… the music hits. But not any music—A song written about the two of you.Your quirks.Your story.Your inside jokes.The moment you knew you weren’t letting this person get away. These custom-song services are popping up everywhere, and couples are eating…