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Vegas couple, counselor share keys to a successful marriage

Communication is key for couples
Posted at 11:50 PM, Jan 07, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-08 03:13:56-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas is known as the marriage capital of the world, but what does it actually take to make a marriage work?

"Last week we had someone that was 35 years old on her seventh husband. But she was enthusiastic, and you could tell she believed in love. And who are we to judge?" said Brendan Paul, owner of the famous Graceland Wedding Chapel

If you're looking for that once-in-a-lifetime love, experts say it's best to know reality from reality TV.

"People need to be realistic about their expectations, about what they're going to get in a long-term relationship," Ryan Wynder, a Las Vegas marriage and family therapist, said.

Wynder says a lot of things go into making a marriage successful, but the one true key is communication - something that transcends time and generation.

So, if you're a Millennial or Baby Boomer, Wynder says couples can learn how to talk as it's going to save a lot of heartache down the road.

"I think that's a struggle for people is to talk about more difficult topics... like money, finance, you know, vulnerabilities - things that are really at their core. I think they have a harder time talking about those type of bigger issues," Wynder said.

And the proof is in the pudding for a couple celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary at The Graceland Chapel.

A marriage some may have thought wouldn't last, considering how quickly it started.

"We started dating. Three weeks later we were engaged, and six months later we were married" said happy wife, Jodi Stansfield.

But Stansfield and husband Chris Kirby say keeping the lines of communication open is their number one rule in life and their marriage.

"We have a no brick policy. So, we feel like if something gets left unsaid, you're putting a brick down. And you turn around, and there's a brick wall. So our goal is when there is a brick there, to address it, to talk about it, and get rid of the brick," Stansfield said.