After the rose petals and Valentine’s treats are cleared away, you may find yourself wondering: “Valentine’s Day was a great way to keep the romance going after our initial engagement, but what can I do to keep the same romantic feelings going up until The Big Day?”

Your next few months may look like a mad rush of work, planning, and careful saving up for your wedding. But that doesn’t mean you and your partner have to put the romance on hold.

The first thing to do is open the lines of communication with your partner. You may not be the only one feeling like you need to do a little something special in between Valentine’s Day and your Wedding Day. You may be feeling maxed out on time and money. Your partner will be key in orchestrating something you both can enjoy while putting aside your worries for a while. There’s no need to plan a large vacation in order to enjoy yourselves, think small and intimate, allowing you to focus completely on your fiancée.

Having a hard time getting started on romantic plans? We’ve compiled some ideas to prompt you in the right direction.

First, start small.

Let’s think local: is there something you’ve been putting off for a while? Visiting a local museum or park? Catching a Broadway show at one of the local theaters? A sporting event? Get away from home with a one-night or weekend stay at one of our partners in Lansing: Comfort Inn Lansing, located off I-69 and within walking distance of several attractions. Some rooms at this establishment even feature in-room Jacuzzi tubs. If you would prefer something more central to East Lansing with a higher-end feel, visit our partner The East Lansing Marriott at University Place. Taking the time to book an affordable room can set you and your partner at ease, enjoying the home-away-from home feel of a spacious, clean room. You can use the time to catch up on some of the joint decisions of the wedding planning or put that away for the weekend and just enjoy each other’s company.If you’re a couple considering one of our venues for the ceremony, why not spend a night there to test it out? Our friends at The English Inn, are happy to welcome you to their cozy and elegant B&B-style venue, located in Eaton Rapids off Highway 99. This venue is in high demand during the summer so booking as early as possible will ensure you and your fiancée have everything you need to enjoy yourselves, whether it be for the wedding, or a romantic weekend get-a-way.

If you and your partner want to plan something even a little bigger, try looking up hotels in Michigan with attractive features like waterfront views or in-room Jacuzzi tubs. Spend a short weekend enjoying great views outdoors or stay in and enjoy each other’s company. No matter the couple, even just a night away can re-kindle the spark of engagement when the fanfare of Valentine’s Day and initial celebrations die down.

But even if you can’t take the time to spend a night away from home with your partner, there are small things you can do to keep the passion going. Establishing a date night can be critical not only for your cohabitation life, but also for your married life. In a publication titled “”Date Nights,” “Strengthen Marriages,” The Marriage Foundation studied couples who established regular date nights and found that couples who went on at least one monthly date were 17-27% less likely to split up. Marriage educators recommend (especially if you have busy schedules) planning a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly date night as specific time to check in with your partner and take time away from the busy stress of life, which goes double for couples in the throes of planning their special day.

So, as you finish off the wine and chocolate of this extra-special Valentine’s Day with your fiancée, don’t fret about how to keep the passion going all the way to the big day. Voice your concerns with your partner and plan regular date nights, if not time away with each other. Your bodies and minds will thank you for the refreshing draw of a clean bed and in-room Jacuzzi with one of Lansing Bridal’s partner hotels, and your wedding savings won’t feel the hit of a big vacation right before the big day.