These days, the idea of waiting until marriage to have kids seems a little outdated. Now, a number of people have kids when they feel it’s right for them—whether or not they have a ring on that finger.

Marriage rates have been on the decline in recent years, and the average age of educated American women that are marrying is at an all-time high of 27 years old. (This may not sound “old,” per se; but it’s jumped seven years since the 1960s and four years since the 1990s.)

One reason for the shift is the fact that we’re now more self-sufficient and not relying on men to “complete” us in order for our adult lives to start. Today, we get married not necessarily because we need to, but because we want to.

At the same time, women today are more aware of their fertility than ever as many have seen friends and family struggle to get or sustain a pregnancy. (One study showed that egg freezing went up 400 percent in the last year alone.) Women may wait for marriage, but may not take the same time to delay having a child(ren).

These couples fell for each other and decided to say “I do” after becoming parents:

Alix and Matt
How they met: Alix and Matt met online. Matt messaged Alix and seemed more genuine than the other messages she was getting from single guys. He asked her questions, showing her that he had actually read her profile, and asked her out for a drink one night after work. The dinner led to ice cream, “then dating, then moving in together, then baby, then buying a new home, then wedding,” according to Alix.

Getting pregnant: Alix got pregnant when she was 37. She says, “We weren’t opposed to having children, but we were both older and were still undecided. Well, it was decided for us about three to four months after he moved in with me. One day I wasn’t feeling well and did extremely poorly when we went snowboarding. The next day when we woke up, Matt asked me how I felt and I said ‘pregnant.’ I made us go to the store together to get a pregnancy kit and we both read the instructions together. Pee on stick. Wait two minutes. If you’re pregnant, a pink line will show up. Got it. Into the bathroom I went. I was a little worried about his reaction since we JUST moved in together. I opened the bathroom door with the pee stick in hand and Matt asked, don’t you have to wait two minutes? I said, ‘not if you’re pregnant!’ and held up the stick to show him that pink line. Matt had the biggest smile on his face.”

On the decision to get married: Alix and Matt were both married before and didn’t want to get married again unless it felt “right” and not due to any sort of obligations…like getting pregnant.

“After we found out that we were having a baby, we both agreed that we were happy with the way things are and didn’t want to change a thing,” Alix says. “We loved being with each other and welcomed the life and family we are creating together, why mess with it? When our daughter was about eight months old, Matt surprised me with a marriage proposal. When he gave me the ring and said that he felt like it’s the right time because he felt like we are so in love with our life and each other and he wanted to be able to call himself my husband. I couldn’t agree with him more. Getting married was not important to us, but it just felt right and we wanted to celebrate our love and our little family with a wedding. It was really awesome to have our daughter as our flower girl.”

See More: Here’s How Long It Takes for Your Vagina to Go Back to Normal After Having a Baby

Dawn and Dean
How they met: Dawn and Dean met at a pub after being “dragged out” by friends for someone’s birthday. Dawn remembers, “We barely talked at the pub, but I thought he was handsome and sweet so I got his number from a mutual friend. We met up the next night and it was an amazing date! We talked about marriage and children in the beginning of our relationship….”

Getting pregnant: Dawn said, “We both wanted kids soon and we both didn’t care if we were married. We talked about when we wanted to start trying and got pregnant first try! We weren’t engaged yet when we got pregnant, but we already knew we wanted to get married. We had a boy, Ryley, and he’s 2 months now.”

On the decision to get married: Six months after Dawn and Dean started dating, Dean moved into her apartment. “We started talking about marriage then. We got engaged on Christmas Eve when I was already pregnant. He wanted to ask before we got pregnant, but he wanted to have the ring first…,” Dawn said.

On babies and marriage: Dawn admits that she and Dean feel that having a child together is more of a commitment than getting married, especially now these days when (so many) marriages come and go.

She concludes, “Our relationship evolved quickly, I think, because we wanted the same things — house, kids, marriage. I guess we were at the age when we met where we were completely ready to have kids and didn’t want to waste time. I didn’t want to wait to start trying. I have a girlfriend who couldn’t have kids and you hear about people trying for years! The marriage part could wait….and now Ryley can be part of our wedding.”

Of course, having a baby isn’t easy. For those who are considering having baby with a partner before marriage, keep in mind that everything changes when your child arrives — literally everything.

See More: 5 Ways to Have Better Sex When You Have a Baby

According to Pam Jordan, PhD RN and the developer of the “Becoming Parents Program,” “It seems as though the relationships that are doing the best and the relationships that are doing the worst decline the most once a baby enters the picture. With the ones that are the best, it’s so hard to believe that everything was so good and then we had this baby…”

Because you’re not legally bound with a marriage contract, Jordan is concerned that some may bail on their responsibilities. “Becoming a parent is the ultimate loss of control and it’s a very different challenge,” she says. “Couples should sit down and talk about realities of parenting. Someone needs to care for this baby 24/7. It’s very easy to scapegoat your partner when all the changes happen.”

Jordan suggests asking yourself why you want to have children. She says, “Children are not convenient. They’re very expensive. These couples must objectively evaluate what becoming parents will do to them. They should figure out who’s going to do what. There are a huge number of questions they should be discussing…”

Finally, Jordan recommends that if you’re entering parenthood with a partner that you’re not married to, you should take the time to ask yourselves big questions like:

How do you see your life unfolding in the next five years in terms of work and family? What role do you see yourself and myself playing in the child’s life?

In many ways, having a child together is a bigger step than marriage. So, it’s essential to communicate your needs, goals, and expectations before taking the step of co-parenting together, whether or not you’re married.

As Alix says, “Having a baby is probably the biggest test to see if the relationship can survive. It was hella stressful and everyone was sleep deprived. We just kept communicating and kept helping each other out (teamwork, as we’d say). I believe that our relationship got stronger as we embraced parenthood and marriage.”

See More: Here’s How Long You Have to Wait to Have Sex After Having a Baby

Andrea Syrtash is a relationship expert and author of He’s Just Not Your Type (And That’s a Good Thing), now on Audible.com. For more, follow @andreasyrtash on Snapchat and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Glamour.

Love the idea of a Puerto Rico honeymoon, but looking to skip the big resort scene in San Juan? Lucky for you, this beautiful island is home to several romantic, off-the-beaten path destinations, ideal for honeymooning couples. If you and your new hubby are surf fanatics, looking for relaxed vibes, amazing food, and romance, all in a quaint little town, look no further than Rincon — one of our favorite Caribbean destinations.

Rincon, the small coastal town on Puerto Rico’s west side, has been rising in popularity with young couples, and surf lovers for the last few years, and for good reason. The small quaint town is home to only around 15,000 year-round residents and the growing tourist population has attracted some fantastic boutique hotel options and great mix of local and international residents. Made famous by hosting the 1968 World Surfing Championship, Rincon’s famed waters are where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean — creating a perfect mix of surf-able waves and swimming shores. There’s plenty to do, drink, and eat in Rincon and we’re routing out our favorite romantic spots for ultimate post-wedding relaxation.

Getting there: The easiest way to get to Rincon is flying into Aguadilla airport and making the 45 minute drive to the coastal town. You could fly into San Juan, but that will add an extra hour and a half to your drive.

Where to stay: If Caribbean seclusion is what you’re looking for, opt for luxury at the colonial style Horned Dorset Primavera. You will have a further drive getting to town but accommodations definitely cater to the romantic traveler. If you want to be in the mix of things, and in walking distance from some restaurants, beaches and activities, we like Casa Islena (we love the daily yoga classes held across the hotel’s parking lot by Barefoot Yoga) on Sandy Beach. Some of the best beginner waves are right out front, and a restaurant, bar, and beach side pool.

Day 1:

Morning:
Most East Coast arrivals into Aguadilla get you to Rincon by 10:30am. First things first: head to the famed BD Cafe for a breakfast bowl (the pitaya is our favorite) and a life-changing latte (add this to your daily to do list).

Afternoon:
After you check in, take it easy and just head to the aptly named Sandy beach. Depending on wave conditions you can rent a board for the day from one of the local vendors or just swim around the ocean. Lunch and cocktails at Tamboo beach tavern are a must.

Evening:
The scene at Pool Bar Sushi is a town favorite. Eat fresh Sushi that combines local flavors (the Coco Loco roll, yum) while watching surf videos on a big screen over the pool — doesn’t get more laid back than that.

Day 2:

Your second day is perfect for a full Caribbean beach day! Make your way to the Caribbean side of town and hit up Corcega beach. The long stretch of white sandy beach is usually pretty deserted — except on weekends — so it feels like you have the whole beach to yourself, which makes it ultra romantic. Make sure to bring enough sunscreen, books, water, and snacks to keep you until the afternoon (we love the healthy fresh juices and snacks from Carta Buena for beach snacks).

Afternoon:
On the way back from the beach stop at local favorite La Cambijja for some typical Puerto Rican fare (the shrimp empanadas are to die for!) and Mojitos.

Evening:
Sunsets in Rincon are not to be missed and La Copa Illena is a great place to catch one. A small tapas bar right on a small rustic beach, it’s the perfect place for savoring cocktails under the stars with your new spouse.

See more: Best Honeymoon Resorts in the Caribbean

Day 3:

Kick things off right with one of the best breakfasts you’ll ever experience at the English Rose. You’ll have to navigate some fairly steep, windy roads to get there, but it’s absolutely worth it for the delicious food, amazing views, and even better coffee.

Afternoon:
If surf’s up and you’ve always dreamt of catching some waves, book a surf lesson for two with Rincon Surf School. Rincon’s surf locations are basically out of a movie, there’s even an abandoned dome-shaped nuclear power plant as backdrop on some of the beaches. Alternatively you could opt to spend your last afternoon and evening on a bioluminescent bay tour. Many tour companies offer a sunset snorkeling tour of the bay at La Parguera, about an hour and a half away.

Evening:
Get the best view for your last sunset at the Beach House bar. Then finish your evening off with some more Mojitos at Tamboo. Feeling particularly adventurous? Go for a late night romantic dip in the ocean — it’s your honeymoon after all!

As if Chrissy Teigen and John Legend couldn’t get any cuter, they have been spending the day at the house where they shot Legend’s famous “All of Me” music video, with baby Luna in tow, taking what can only be described as the cutest and most romantic Instagram pictures of all time. (Yes, it is in fact possible to be even more jealous of this relationship.)

Everyone remembers “All of Me,” Legend’s chart topping hit that he wrote in honor of his supermodel wife in 2013, which soared to the top of five different Billboard Top 100 charts in 2014 and was (and still is!) the most romantic first-dance song of all time. Legend reportedly sang the song to Teigen at their wedding, which trumps any gift that a husband has ever given his wife ever.

The music video, shot entirely in black and white at a gorgeous house in Lake Como, Italy, features the two lovebirds boating on the lake, swimming in the house’s gorgeous lakeside pool, getting steamy in the shower together, and just being generally sexy and perfect. (It is a can’t-miss video, and you can see it here.)

To celebrate their 3-year wedding anniversary a few months early, the happy family ventured out to the house and shared beautiful photos on Instagram of themselves snuggling by the pool with a gorgeous view of the lake, a recreation of an iconic scene in the video where Teigen and Legend stare at each other lovingly through glass doors, and an adorable photo of Luna sitting in a large armchair (which is not confirmed to be taken at the house, but is too darn cute not to share.) You can see the posts below.

Teigen and Legend started dating after meeting in 2007 on the set of another music video shoot for his song “Stereo” before getting engaged in 2011 and married in September of 2013 in Lake Como. This April the couple gave birth to their first child, Luna Simone Stephens, and have reportedly been already planning on baby number two.

Lake Como is obviously a special spot for Teigen and Legend, since they shot their romantic music video, got married, and had their baby’s first vacation there. Here’s hoping that the couple’s trip will inspire more hit songs about their love that we can all swoon over/pretend are about us.

Since we're at Lake Como, we had to return to the house where we shot the All of Me video

A photo posted by John Legend (@johnlegend) on Jul 21, 2016 at 7:27am PDT

Went back to the "all of me" house with Luna – all on my snap!! Look for chrissyteigen ??????????????????

A video posted by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Jul 21, 2016 at 8:26am PDT

A photo posted by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on Jul 21, 2016 at 9:05am PDT

See More: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Are Already Thinking About Baby #2!

Though William Bitter enrolled at Deerfield Academy for a post-graduate year to play soccer and lacrosse, his best decision in December of 2006 was actually joining the ski team, captained by Christie Schnurr. “You might say Billy fell head over heels for me while we were on the ski team,” she remembers, and a few months later, the pair became an item. That high school love lasted and, in December of 2014, Billy decided to make it a more permanent arrangement. “He drove to my parents’ home at 4 a.m. to ask my dad for his blessing and then, on December 23, he proposed in a courtyard at NYU during a walk through the West Village,” Christie says.

After years of visits to Christie’s family’s home in Connecticut, the pair knew Lion Rock Farm in the bride’s hometown of Sharon would be the most gorgeous location for their celebration. “We wanted a summer wedding, and Billy didn’t want to wait a year and a half to get married. So we planned the whole thing for August 29, 2015 — just nine months after we got engaged!” says Christie. They turned to The Wedding Library for planning expertise, putting together an epic summer celebration for 226 guests. The Farm was the perfect backdrop for their country elegance theme, with a hint of preppy style from the Carolina blue, navy, and white palette. You’ll fall in love with the classic style — and the fun surprises! &mdash photographed by Sara Wight Photography.

An elegant wedding starts with an elegant invitation, and this one was no exception. Gold and navy calligraphy popped on white paper, with a shimmering gold envelope liner and custom postage stamps to finish it off.

Christie was an ultra-classic bride in her Modern Trousseau wedding dress, which she paired with white Manolo Blahnik sandals. The gathered bodice and deep V-back were finished off with a playful detail: Pockets!

The bride topped her gown with a flowing veil and pearl earrings (a gift from Mom and Dad). She also had two accessories from her grandmothers: Her maternal grandmother’s diamond tennis bracelet, and her paternal grandmother’s diamond brooch pinned to her bouquet. The all-white arrangement combined David Austin garden roses, ranunculus, seeded eucalyptus, and dusty miller.

When choosing bridesmaids’ dresses, Christie looked for a style that she would wear as a guest at a wedding. The navy dresses she ultimately selected featured boat necklines and scalloped skirts, which Christie’s eight ‘maids all paired with nude pumps and summery bouquets of white hydrangea, lisianthus, and seeded eucalyptus.

Before heading into the church for the ceremony, Christie and her dad watched guests arrive from the car. “We had a few minutes to chat, and it was so calming. I’ll remember that moment forever!” she says.

With ten nieces between their two families, Billy and Christie decided to have each of their siblings’ oldest daughters serve as flower girls, with the younger girls as “flower girl helpers.” The older girls wore Carolina blue and white dresses with monogrammed white bows in their hair.

“While we didn’t do much DIY, we did turn to Billy’s grandmother for a gorgeous watercolor illustration of the church,” says Christie. The stunning painting was printed on the cover of the ceremony program.

The pair kept the décor at the Church of Saint Mary simple, opting for white hydrangeas along the aisle. Billy and Christie exchanged traditional vows, asking the groom’s sisters, the bride’s aunt, and a cousin to offer readings.

The newlyweds drove off from the church in a yellow convertible dressed up with a “Just Married” sign. Says the bride, “We wanted our guests to be able to enjoy the beautiful countryside, then have the time of their lives drinking and dancing all night!”

Billy’s groomsmen matched him in stone-colored khakis and navy blue jackets with gold buttons. The ring bearer followed suit, donning a miniature version of the groomsmen’s attire.

During cocktail hour, guests sipped champagne on the lawn. Escort cards were displayed on a table topped with a white porcelain vase and blue hydrangeas.

“With only nine months to plan, we had to make decisions quickly,” says Christie. “We also had to be selective. If anything didn’t fit our vision, we nixed it immediately!” We’d say the classic, preppy pair hit their country-elegant theme dead-on.

Beneath the white tent, guests were seated at a mix of long and round tables. Linens were white pique cotton, and the classic china was all white with platinum bands. “We added a pop of color with cobalt blue water goblets,” Christie adds.

Centerpieces combined white roses, ranunculus, hydrangea, and stock, all set in silver-footed Revere bowls. Christie’s mom came up with the idea to finish each place setting with a monogrammed hem-stitched napkin. “I think she’d been dreaming of those napkins since before I was born!” the bride laughs.

The three-course dinner included crab cakes with avocado cream and mango relish, arctic char with sweet corn polenta, and filet mignon — all followed by a five-tiered cake with alternating layers of chocolate chip cake with chocolate cream and almond cake with classic cream cheese fondant. The timeless cake was decorated with draped fondant, piped flowers, and a simple monogram.

No detail went unplanned, from the dappled lighting over the dance floor to the selection of beers from The Alchemist in Vermont. “Billy loves their Heady Topper double IPA, which is notoriously hard to come by. We reached out to the brewery and they were able to set some aside for us. Billy and our guests were so thrilled!”

An amazing band, the Kevin Osborne Band, had the dance floor full all night. “That was the one thing we really wanted,” says Christie. “I’ll always remember looking around the tent and seeing everyone letting loose on the dance floor.”

After the cake was cut, Christie’s parents had a surprise of their own for the bride and groom: Fireworks! “They went to extraordinary lengths to keep this a secret and get those fireworks in the air for us,” says the bride. “Love is genuine and real, so let your love shine through as you’re planning your wedding.” We’d say that’s exactly what these newlyweds did!

Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Catholic Church || Reception Venue: Lion Rock Farm || Wedding Planner: The Wedding Library || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau || Shoes: Manolo Blahnik || Hair: Hair Modern || Makeup: Suany Leedy || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Camilyn Beth || Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Brooks Brothers; Collared Greens || Flower Girls’ Dresses: Bella Bliss || Florist: Country Gardeners || Invitations: Bella Figura || Music: Kevin Osborne Band || Catering: Hunt & Harvest || Cake: A White Cake || Rentals: Smith Party Rentals; Mahaiwe Tent || Lighting: Limelight Productions || Favors: Catherine’s Chocolates || Fireworks: Zambelli Fireworks || Videographer: Craig Williams Films || Photographer: Sara Wight Photography

Can’t get enough of this beautiful celebration? Then check out another stunning Connecticut wedding in the video below.

Whether it’s your new boyfriend or your BFF, being asked to attend a wedding as someone’s plus-one is pretty exciting. A chance to dress up, eat a good meal, have a few drinks, and get down on the dance floor — what’s not to love? But there’s a little more to it than just showing up. Our experts have a few tips for being the best “and guest” a bride and groom could ask for.

Since you weren’t included on the actual invitation, being a plus one actually comes with a little more pressure than you’d think. You should pay close attention to things like the RSVP deadline, ceremony start time, and dress code. Being prompt and properly dressed is a great way to show your respect (as well as thanks!) to the happy couple. And make sure your full name (first and last) is included on the RSVP card, so the hosts know who to expect and can include your name on their seating chart instead of just “and Guest.”

If you’ve met the couple before, make sure to stop by and congratulate them after the ceremony. Don’t take up too much time (they have a lot of other guests to greet!) but do be sure to thank them for having you as part of their celebration. If you’ve never met before, ask your date to introduce you.

Another challenge plus-ones face: To gift or not to gift? If you’ve met the couple before (say you’re the new girlfriend of the groom’s college roommate, but haven’t been dating long enough to be added to the invitation by name), chip in to cover part of your date’s gift. Are you and the bride complete strangers? You aren’t required to buy a gift, or even pay for part of your date’s gift. However, you may want to include a card with your date’s gift thanking the couple for a wonderful evening and congratulating them on their marriage.

This last tip almost goes without saying. Be on your best behavior! Make sure the happy couple is thrilled that you came, not wishing they’d skipped inviting “plus ones” altogether.

See more: Which Guests Get a Plus One at the Wedding?

Pippa Middleton is now an engaged and to-be wedded lady and we couldn’t be more excited for this royally-related wedding. Will Middleton follow in her big sister’s steps and wear a truly epic Oscar de la Renta wedding dress? Will the Queen make the guest list? Will the Duchess of Cambridge take on royal bridesmaid duties? Woah, sorry. We’re getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren’t we? First thing’s first: Who the heck is Middleton marrying? We previously reported that the lucky groom is Middleton’s sweetheart, James Matthews. But what else do we know about the guy besides the fact that he has some truly excellent taste in jewelry? (Have you seen the bride-to-be’s vintage-style engagement ring??!) Well, after a bit of sleuthing, we have a pretty good picture of the guy who is about to become related to royalty. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Pippa Middleton and her new fiancé have a bit of a history
This new “It” couple started off as friends, before briefly dating back in 2012, according to ABC. Middleton then began a relationship with financier Nico Jackson. Three years later, they broke it off and Middleton became one of the most eligible bachelorettes in England. And soon enough in August 2015, Middleton and Matthews were back together. Last New Year’s, they were seen sunning at Matthews’ family’s resort in St. Barts, and six months later Matthews put a ring on it!

2. James Matthews is the middle child in a pretty posh family.
In fact, Matthews younger brother Spencer Matthews is a reality TV celeb, starring in the popular British show Made in Chelsea, which chronicles the lives of London socialites. Tragically, Matthews’ older brother passed away back in 1999 on Mount Everest, after becoming the youngest Brit to ever reach the summit.

3. He’s hella smart…
10 years ago, the accomplished entrepreneur launched a hedge fund, Eden Rock Capital Management Group, and is currently serving as their CEO. So, that’s how he could afford that mega-watt rock on Middleton’s finger!

4. And a total jock!
This soon-to-be bride and groom both share a serious love of sports. (Really though, how cute is that?!) They are both accomplished tennis players and were recently spotted in the Wimbledon stands. And last year, Middleton and Matthews competed in both a Swedish 50-mile swim-and-track race and a cross-country ski race in Norway. Okay, obviously there are no wedding diets are needed for these two…

5. He attended the same boarding school as his future royal brother-in-law.
According to People, Matthews, Prince William, and Prince Harry all attended Eton College, a private boarding school for boys in Windsor, England. Too cool, right?

See More: Kate Middleton Just Re-Wore Something from Her Wedding Day — And Totally Rocked It

In any relationship, it’s important to enjoy time apart to pursue the things you individually love. But our experts say that creating shared experiences, via hobbies, can bond a couple together in incredible ways.

“Having shared interests and hobbies means that you will be spending intentional time together doing things you both enjoy,” explains Lesli Doares, marriage coach and author of Blueprint For A Lasting Marriage. “It isn’t about running the house or dealing with the dog. It’s about having fun together on a regular basis.”

Sharing experiences that have nothing to do with chores or mundane everyday life build a deep connection between a couple. “When you’re doing enjoyable things together, it creates positive interactions and happy memories that protect your relationship from the boring and the difficult,” Doares explains. “And the more positive experiences you have together, the stronger the relationship foundation becomes.”

Of course, when it comes time to pick a hobby, it’s important to select one you’ll both enjoy, cautions Toni Coleman, psychotherapist and relationship coach. To decide what might work for you, Coleman encourages you to think about what you both enjoy to see where your interests or desires overlap, as well as search for something that allows for play time and quality interaction. In other words, Netflix marathons won’t count.

If you need some further inspiration, however, we’ve got you covered. Here are five hobbies our experts say will be fun and bring you closer together.

1. Exercise together.
When you hit the gym, don’t put in your ear buds and simply say sayonara to your significant other. Instead, says Doares, sweat it out together. “Doing the same exercise, whether it’s running, biking, or CrossFit, together keeps you connected,” she explains. “You both will be experiencing the same thing at the same time which creates a shared experience. Plus, encouraging each other to keep going and get better will translate to being more supportive in other areas of your relationship.”

See More: Simple Ways to Get to Know Your Spouse Better After Marriage

2. Take cooking classes — or any other type of class.
Much like exercising together, cooking together under the watchful eye of a skilled chef creates a shared experience you can relive (and re-eat) at home. “Learning something new releases dopamine — the feel good neurochemical — and doing it with your partner connects that good feeling to them,” adds Doares. “Practicing at home creates a sense of camaraderie that learning something alone can’t match.”

3. Buy season tickets to your favorite sport’s team.
There’s nothing that bonds you together quite like cheering on your winning team, or cheering each other up after a devastating loss. Plus, as Coleman says, having season tickets means working a regular date night into your routine. “Not only is it a fun way to spend an evening or weekend together, but it allows you to plan your dates in advance,” she explains.

4. Garden.
According to Doares, being in nature and getting your hands dirty with the one you love can be a big stress reliever. Not only that, “but when you do it together, you learn to cooperate in seeing your overall plan come to fruition,” Doares points out. “The sense of accomplishment is both immediate and shared which are important for feeling connected.”

5. Do jigsaw puzzles.
Daunting though it may be, “finishing a jigsaw puzzle is a definable goal,” says Doares. And, just as you may with life’s little puzzles, you can learn a lot about one another by watching how each of you approaches the solution, in a low-pressure scenario, Doares says. “It can provide a non-threatening window into how each of you think and perceive life,” she says. “Because it isn’t a problem that has to be solved, there is no pressure and you can take an approach of curiosity.”

In the end, Doares says, “it doesn’t really matter what hobby you choose. Rather, having something fun that you do on a regular basis provides an alternative to focusing strictly on the relationship. When you are involved in an activity of choice, the pressure is off and you can experience just being together.”

See More: 6 Pieces of Relationship Advice You Should Definitely Ignore

Wedding season is in full swing and there’s nothing like watching your friends and fam get all decked out in lace and tulle and wed their true love to get you dreaming of your own walk down the aisle. Think that’s why a slew of stars popped the question this summer? As the temperature heated up, so did the romances of these just-engaged celebrities who are now rocking engagement rings that shine brighter than the summer sun.

The summer isn’t over yet and already a Victoria’s Secret Angel, an Oscar winner, a blonde beauty supermodel, and two reality TV stars have all committed to getting married. In fact, we needed to invest in sunglasses for all that engagement ring bling — from a huge (and we mean huge) oval-cut diamond ring to vintage-style sparklers with fashion-forward hexagonal halos to classic round-cut stones. Wonder if these leading ladies are wearing those epically expensive rocks while splashing around in the pool… We know we would never take ’em off if we were lucky enough to tote one around town!

We know it’s only July, but we can’t help but look back on the newly-engaged duos of Hollywood because… Well, do we really need an excuse to fawn over these beautiful baubles, again? Nope. Didn’t think so. Read on to see the 13 celebrities who got engaged in the summer of 2016.

Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel
The Victoria’s Secret Angel and Snapchat’s founder, Evan Spiegel, announced their engagement just yesterday, making them the latest pair of celebs to take the jump. Nothing but a super sparkler would do for a supermodel, as Kerr’s ring features a classic round-cut center stone with two tapered baguette diamonds sitting on either side. Of course we’re already dreaming up the sure-to-be personalized Snapchat filters their guests will be using at the wedding. That’ll be one SnapStory, we definitely don’t want to miss…

Congratulations to one of my favorite little sisters in the world, Pippa Middleton, on her engagement! YAY P XXXXXXYXXXX pic.twitter.com/gWd3LwW1H2

— Kate Middleton Fans (@RoyallyKate) July 19, 2016

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews
The royal bridesmaid is now a bride herself! Earlier this week, the news broke that the sister to The Duchess of Cambridge was engaged to her sweetheart, financier James Matthews. And although her ring may not be a royal heirloom, it’s damn pretty. The bauble features a vintage style and a hexagonal- or octagonal-shaped halo. Think Middleton will follow in her big sister’s footsteps and rock an Oscar de la Rent frock down the aisle?

Daniel Franzese and Joseph Bradley Phillips
Daniel Franzese, best known as the hilarious Damian in the 2004 cult-classic Mean Girls, proposed to his partner Joseph Bradley Phillips this summer. He took his sweetheart to the Starbucks where they had first met. According to People, “Franzese slipped the ring to one of the baristas, whom he had spoken to the day before about the proposal plan. And as the barista called out the pair’s coffee orders, she referred to them as ‘Mr. & Mr. Franzese.'” You go, Glen Coco!

I said yes!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXX6 years down a lifetime to go! #love

A photo posted by @bethbehrsreal on Jul 11, 2016 at 8:34am PDT

Beth Behr and Michael Gladis
After six years of dating, the 2 Broke Girls actress and her Mad Men fiancé officially got engaged. Gladis ended up popping the question on a New York City rooftop at sunset. The groom-to-be even hired a jazz band to play her favorite Miles Davis/John Coltrane song. “It was magical,” Behr told E!. “I was sobbing!”

So excited!!! I love you @ericbilitch XX

A photo posted by Emilie de Ravin (@emiliede_ravin) on Jul 6, 2016 at 1:44pm PDT

Emilie de Ravin and Eric Bilitch
Emilie de Ravin of ABC’s Once Upon a Time announced her engagement to director Eric Bilitch earlier this month. And of course her ring is fit for a literal princess. (She does play Belle on the fairytale-centric drama, after all!) The sparkler features a beautiful cushion-cut center stone, sitting pretty on a pavé band.

MOODY'S POINT Thanks for the pic @samsperbeck thanks for the ring @shuapeck

A photo posted by Paige O'Brien (@paigeobrienn) on Jun 20, 2016 at 5:48pm PDT

Josh Peck and Paige O’Brien
Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were watching Josh Peck ham it up on the Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh? Well now the actor is all grown up and engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Paige O’Brien. The bride-to-be debuted her new sparkler on Instagram, captioning the black-and-white pic, “Moody’s Point.” (The Amanda Show throwback, much?)

A photo posted by Jeremy Michael Lewis (@jeremymichael22) on May 30, 2016 at 6:34am PDT

Kirstin Maldonado and Jeremy Michael Lewis
Looks like the super successful a cappella group Pentatonix will soon be playing a wedding gig! Pentatonix member Kirstin Maldonado got engaged to her now-fiancé Jeremy Michael Lewis in Paris. The groom-to-be dropped to one knee right in front of the Eiffel Tower and presented Maldonado with a stunning cushion-cut engagement ring, complete with a diamond halo. Now that’s really something to sing about.

A photo posted by Nev Schulman (@nevschulman) on May 23, 2016 at 8:32am PDT

Nev Schulman and Laura Perlongo
The host of MTV’s Catfish announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Laura Perlongo in a serious of steamy, bedroom #EngagementRingSelfies. But that wasn’t the only happy news the pair had to share. Perlongo is also five months along with their first little one. Congratulations to this happy couple (who most likely didn’t meet online…)

A photo posted by Becca Tobin (@itsbeccatobin) on Apr 20, 2016 at 7:46pm PDT

Becca Tobin and Zach Martin
We see a choreographed wedding dance in the future of these two! Former Glee star Becca Tobin has been rocking an engagement ring from her entrepreneurial fiancé Zach Martin since May. But you won’t see any close-up #EngagementRingSelfies from this girl. She announced on her LadyGang podcast that she loathes over-the-top proposals and social media tributes. “You’ll never see a post where I say ‘I’m so lucky to marry my best friend,’ any of that garbage,” Tobin said. “It makes my stomach turn. We don’t have an extravagant story. I told him I’d castrate him if he did anything crazy. I really didn’t want a thing so it was really perfect for me.”

Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald
An Oscar and and engagement ring all in one year? It’s definitely not been a bad few months for actress Brie Larson! Rumors started swirling of the star’s engagement to her longtime love Alex Greenwald when a sparkler was spotted on her finger when she hosted Saturday Night Live. Her reps later confirmed the nuptial news, and after swooning over the adorable ‘I love yous’ Greenwald was mouthing to Larson during her speeches throughout award season, we couldn’t be happier for this too-cute pair.

A photo posted by Adam Campbell (@adamcampbella) on May 6, 2016 at 1:33pm PDT

Brody Jenner and Kaitlynn Carter
Brody Jenner — son of Caitilyn Jenner and the former star of your guiltiest TV pleasure, The Hills — popped the question to his sweetheart while on vacation in Bali back in May. That ring though… We have no words.

You want take a selfie? Selfie stick XX #parkhyattabudhabi @davidhasselhoff #davidhasselhoff

A photo posted by Hayley Roberts (@hhayleyroberts) on Jun 1, 2015 at 9:55am PDT

David Hasselhoff and Hayley Roberts
From Baywatch to baubles! Hasselhoff popped the question to his now-fiancé Hayley Roberts in a romantic, beachside setting in Malibu after about five years of dating the blonde bombshell. “We were both in tears… I genuinely had no idea he was going to do that,” the bride-to-be later told Hello! Magazine. “I’m still overwhelmed.”

Kate Upton and Justin Verlander
Where else does a supermodel like Kate Upton announce her engagement besides the most fashionable night of the year? Upton accessorized her Met Gala red carpet gown with a new bridal bauble courtesy of her longtime love Justin Verlander. “I’m really excited,” Upton told E! when she made the reveal. “He asked me right before season started so we’ve been keeping it on the down low for quite a while, so I’m excited to finally be able to share it with the world!”

Wedding venues come in all shapes and sizes, whether it be a hotel ballroom, an urban loft space or a sprawling old estate — there’s no standard size when it comes to wedding spaces, especially when you bring in the couple’s hopes and dreams for their big day. So a bride planning a 50-person wedding might fall in love with the exposed brick and industrial nature of a repurposed warehouse that can fit up to 200, and she shouldn’t have to pare down her ideas just because she’s worried about a space feeling too big. Trust us, there are a slew of fun and creative ways to make a big event space seem cozy and intimate. Just see our favorite ideas, sourced from the experts, below.

1. Use trees to create closeness and divide the space.
Rustic, boho, earthy and even minimalist brides will definitely dig this idea! As wedding planner Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events, points out, trees are a great way to divide a space in an organic way and create a cozier environment. Laura Irizarry-Garcia, owner of LIG Events agrees. “I love to place large trees or branch arrangements around the perimeter of the room to make a big room feel more intimate,” she says. “They really help enclose the space visually and also provide a living element which totally transforms the energy of a venue.”

2. Make the most of pipe and drape.
Chancey Charm Charleston wedding planner Samantha Wiley suggests using pipe and drape to make a space feel more intimate! “By draping the ceiling, you’re moving your line of sight down which gives the illusion of a smaller space,” she explains. Drape allows you to section the room and bring everything in so your guests feel like they are in a cozy space instead of an empty hollow room, adds wedding planner Lauren Chitwood, owner and founder of Lauren Chitwood Events.

3. Lower the ceiling with florals.
If the venue allows it, Anthony Navarro of Liven It Up Events advises bringing in elements that you can suspend from the ceiling, whether it be floral pieces, chandeliers, candles or cafe lights to help create a more intimate setting. For brides on a budget, Chitwood says you can also try “lowering” the ceiling by hanging structures like drum shades or paper lanterns.

4. Mix up your seating (i.e. nix the round tables!).
According to Anika Warden of Vibiana Los Angeles, incorporating square and rectangular tables is a great way to fill up your seating area. “Their hard angles don’t fit together as easily as round tables do on a floor plan and require more space than the same number of guests at round tables often do too.” She recommends using King’s tables to allow for plenty of room for d&#233cor as well as your place settings and to maximize the overall use of the space.

5. Get creative with lighting.
Talk with a designer about creating a lighting plan that completely transforms your space, offers Skylar Caitlin, Chancey Charm Houston wedding planner. “Think of it as a restaurant. When restaurants want to create a romantic, intimate feel, they dim the lights and use candles to give off a natural glow,” she says. “This feel could also be achieved by pin spotting (or spotlighting tables) or by using uplighting in a color that brings warmth to the venue.” Keep the areas you don’t want seen or used dark no matter what.

6. Set up a lounge space and throw some pretty pillows into the mix.
Want to give guests a space to mingle in a more intimate fashion? Jessica Upton, owner of Uptown Events and Travel, recommends creating cozy lounge spaces with couches, ottomans and fun pillows that tie into your design theme to help encourage conversation.

See More: The 9 Biggest Black Tie Wedding Mistakes Brides Make

7. Make a visual wall with d&#233cor
If you have metal grillwork in the ceiling, chances are you can use magnetic hooks to hold lightweight items on invisible fishline, such as paper lanterns, flower pinwheels or lengths of ribbon to create a visual wall, notes Florida Keys wedding planner Lynn D’Ascanio of D’Asigner Events.

8. Cluster purposefully
Some people look at a big space and spread everything out, but Samantha Gieseke, owner of Plan Our Day Houston, prefers to cluster. “For a big room, one tip is design the room layout with both cross walkways (between quadrants of tables and around a central dance floor) as well as leave space around the outside of the room to walk, so essentially pulling everything towards a center focal point like the DJ and dance floor or sweetheart table.”

9. Opt for over the top (AKA tall!) centerpieces
As Pure Luxe Bride event designer Blake Bush Blake points out, tall centerpieces will make the ceilings seem lower and break up the space a bit, creating a more intimate vibe.

10. Use color to your advantage
White will make a space seem airy and larger, while darker colors (think rich hues) will make the space seem smaller, notes Greg Jenkins, founder of Bravo Productions. Also, forget the solid colored tablecloths and opt for large patterned linens in bold contrasting colors, advises Erika Stone-Miller, Senior Wedding Designer for Premier Catering & Events in Chicago. “Large florals and multi-colored stripes will flourish in large spaces and unify the different areas.”

11. Set up food stations
Instead of a sit-down dinner, use food stations to take up space in the room, offers Jenkins. “You can spread the food stations out for guests’ convenience, while utilizing space to make the room appear smaller.” This also helps create intimacy, says Andrea Leslie of Andrea Leslie Weddings & Events. “Guests have the opportunity to interact with one another while selecting their food rather than staying seated through the entire reception.”