What is the secret to a happy marriage? When it comes to being in a lasting partnership, practise makes perfect and knowledge is power. With this in mind, we asked some Papier grandparents to share their time-honoured love stories with us and any pearls of wisdom that they learnt along the way.
Whether you're already married, patiently waiting for your person or choosing to focus on yourself right now, we hope these words of advice provide a little helpful guidance or simply make your heart feel full.
Betty & Frank, would have been married 70 years.
The grandparents of our Copy Lead, Jennie.
What was your meet-cute?
We met at badminton club, 1954.
Tell us about your wedding day.
We got married at St. Peter’s church in Lowfell, Gateshead, which was also used as a school. Frank borrowed money from someone he met in the war to put towards the wedding breakfast for our guests.
My dress was from a shop called Moses, and there was no first dance. My dad was a master baker, so he made our wedding cake!
The secret to a happy marriage?
Keep some things just for yourself. You don’t have to tell the whole world everything – keep some special moments (and arguments) between the two of you.
Remember, age is often just a number. There were 12 years between Frank and I – we were a perfect match!
3 reasons you fell in love with Frank.
He was handsome, intelligent and interesting.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Falmouth.
Finish this sentence: Married life would be a little easier if…
...he played less golf.
A little tradition between the two of you that kept the fire burning?
Red roses. Frank would get me them all the time, and since he died I’ve put them on his grave every year.
“You don’t have to tell the whole world everything – keep some special moments between the two of you.”
Wieslawa & Zdzislaw, married 52 years
The grandparents of our Designer, Justyna.
What was your meet-cute?
We met a year before our wedding at my friend’s house. He was there with his sister and invited me to a New Year’s Eve party. There was an instant spark.
Tell us about your wedding day.
Our wedding was a great experience from which we have a lot of wonderful memories. We were young, beautifully dressed and had many guests attending. The celebrations lasted nearly a whole week!
The secret to a happy marriage?
Mutual understanding, caring for one another, compromising, but most importantly showing each other love not only through words, but the smallest acts.
3 reasons you fell in love with Zdzislaw.
He was polite, handsome and always knew the right thing to say.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Honeymoons weren’t very common when we were getting married so we didn’t go on one, but we went on a lakeside holiday in Poland while being engaged.
Finish this sentence: Married life would be a little easier if…
...the weather was always sunny! Also, if both people had the same skill set and did things to the same ability so that specific tasks wouldn’t have to only be carried out by the same person each time. For example, cooking.
A little tradition between the two of you that kept the fire burning?
Spending all special occasions together. Remembering important dates like anniversaries and birthdays and celebrating them.
Pat & Jon, married 52 years
The grandparents of our Developer, Nick.
What was your meet-cute?
We met at a dance in Broken Hill – a city in outback New South Wales, Australia.
Tell us about your wedding day.
The ceremony took place at at Adelaide John's school chapel. It was a lovely day – only 13 guests at the wedding!
The secret to a happy marriage?
Try to put yourself in your partner's shoes and see their perspective on things. Compromise, and don't argue in front of the kids.
3 reasons you fell in love with Jon.
He was kind, funny and patient.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Tasmania. We stayed in the Wrespoint Hotel.
Finish this sentence: Married life would be a little easier if…
...you could appreciate your partner's point of view.
A little tradition between the two of you that kept the fire burning?
Romantic walks on the beach.
Something new & BLUE
Getting hitched soon? Find everything you need to tie the knot – from invitations to menus and thank you cards.
