Why I Believe Strong Relationships Deserve Ongoing Support

by Brian Lawrence

Last updated: September 2026

Having spent my entire career in the wedding industry, I have worked with many wedding business owners and, previously, as a business owner, have worked with thousands of couples over the years.

And through all of that—along with my own personal path of always questioning, always wanting to grow, improve, and make a difference—I’ve noticed something that doesn’t get talked about enough.

This industry can take over your life.

It’s unpredictable. It’s all-encompassing. We work weekends and evenings—the exact times when most people are home, connecting with their partners and families. And in what many still view, even subconsciously, as a “traditional” structure of marriage, that can create tension.

Even as things evolve and roles become more fluid, expectations still exist.

I’ve seen it often—especially in a female-dominated industry—where women are building successful businesses, sometimes earning more, often being pulled away from home, while the structure of the relationship shifts. Childcare looks different. Time together becomes limited. Date nights disappear. Connection starts to drift.

And here’s what stands out:

Most of the time, it’s not about incompatibility. It’s not about a lack of love. It’s not about something being broken.

There’s room for improvement. Better communication. Deeper understanding. Making sure both people actually feel heard.

And this is something I’ve believed for a long time—long before my own experience with counseling.

When I was working with couples through my wedding business, I always found myself thinking: I wish more of them were putting as much intention into their marriage as they were into their wedding.

The wedding is one day. The marriage is everything that follows.

That belief has stayed with me, and it’s something I’ve shared in conversations with Jen Paul from Life Passages as she continues shaping her messaging—especially for couples entering marriage.

I originally connected with Jen as a client. She’s a wedding officiant who also offers couples counseling, often working with couples before they even get married. But there was something about her—her presence, her perspective—that resonated with me personally.

I had a strong instinct she’d be a great fit for my partner and me. So we started working with her.

And almost immediately, there was value.

She listens in a way that is non-judgemental, curious, making you feel understood—not just heard, but truly understood. She creates a space where both people can express themselves, and she remains objective while fully present. She’s gentle, but she doesn’t let things slide. She’ll call you out when needed, in a way that actually helps you grow.

What she’s really great at is guiding you to communicate differently.

To slow down.
To reflect.
To actually take in what your partner is saying.

One of the simplest but most powerful things she had us practice was repeating back what we heard—making sure the other person feels accurately understood. It sounds basic, but most of us don’t do it. And when you do, it changes everything.

And it’s not just something that happens during a session. These are tools you carry with you.

In my own relationship—which is strong, and something I truly consider a love story—we call each other “my love.” It’s just something that’s always been part of us.

Jen took that and reframed it in a way that stuck. She encouraged us to think of ourselves as the “My Love Team”—especially when we’re working through something.

Not me versus you.
But together we are figuring something out.

I’m sharing this because I know how many people in this industry are navigating similar challenges, often quietly. There’s this idea that you only reach out for help when things are falling apart.

I just don’t see it that way.

If anything, doing this work when there’s already love, respect, and a solid foundation only makes it stronger.

There’s no agenda behind me sharing with Jen Paul. No commission. Nothing in it for me other than knowing how meaningful this has been in my own life—and how aligned it is with what I’ve believed for years.

And the fact that she works virtually means you can connect with her from anywhere. It doesn’t feel distant. If anything, it makes it easier to actually commit to doing the work.

If you’re someone in this industry—or really anyone in a relationship you care about—it’s worth thinking about.

You can check her out here.
Looking forward to getting her website up to BrianLawrence.com standards, but her talents and gifts speak much louder than any website can ever describe.