You survived the big day – the guest list planning, the venue searching, the myriad of worries about what could go wrong. Now you’ve said “I do” and everything is going to be a breeze from here on out, right? Okay, maybe not exactly. People like to tell you that the first year of marriage is the “honeymoon phase,” but following the elation of the wedding day, many couples are really just wondering “now what?” Becoming a husband or wife is a major adjustment and sometimes we need the guidance of others to give us a little direction. That is why we put together a list of resources that we feel give newlyweds the education, support and a little bit of fun to help survive those first months of wedded bliss and beyond.
The 5 Love Languages
A New York Times Bestseller, The 5 Love Languages from marriage counselor Dr. Gary Chapman, is simple to follow and inspiring to read. Through personal stories and with abundant humor, he details the five ways to communicate love to your partner, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch, and how to discover the languages that are unique to your relationship. It’s a book relevant to all stages of a marriage, but particularly wonderful in providing a solid foundation to your relationship in those early days.
The Nest
The Nest comes from bride and groom favorite The Knot, and is a website committed to helping you build your home in the afterglow of the wedding. It has everything from tips on designing your bedroom to entertaining guests for parties to starting a family. There is even a whole category dedicated to pets! Any marriage lifestyle question you have can be answered here.
Married Life: A Snarky Adult Coloring Book
If you haven’t jumped on the adult coloring bandwagon yet, this book is your way in! Hilarious and poignant, Married Life: A Snarky Adult Coloring Book is essentially a collection of color-able memes about learning to live with your spouse. Plus the added stress relief from this creativity outlet helps to calm those wedding debt woes.
The Couple's Guide to Financial Compatibility: Avoid Fights about Spending and Saving -- and Build a Happy and Secure Future Together
Let’s face it, managing your personal finances can be scary. Managing joint finances? Completely terrifying. There are no classes in college that teach us what to do with our money when we get married, but luckily there is a vast catalog of resources out there we can utilize. The Couple's Guide to Financial Compatibility is not only a helpful guide about joint bank accounts, retirement planning, and saving for kids’ college tuition, it also teaches couples to talk about their finances in a healthy and happy way.
The Newlywed Cookbook: Fresh Ideas and Modern Recipes for Cooking with and for Each Other
We all know the phrase “cooked with love.” There’s a lot of truth to that old adage. Cooking is incredibly personal, employs all the senses, and is often the most romantic part of a couples’ week. The Newlywed Cookbook couldn’t be a more perfect book for the freshly wed couple. Beyond the enticing recipes, it even gives tips on how to properly stock your pantry, how to prepare meals for family gatherings, and makes all the recipes perfect for two so you don’t end up with enough food to feed an army. Bon appétit!
