Real Couples Share Their Best First-Year Marriage Advice
“Marriage is easy,” said no one ever. All relationships require work to maintain happiness with each other and the relationship itself. Navigating that first year of marriage definitely might be one of the more challenging years of the relationship even if you’ve already been living together and dating for years. Today, real couples share their best first-year marriage advice to help you learn some tips and tricks for a successful newlywed season.
Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Jake, a pastor and friend of mine, says, “All relationships require work. Give each other the benefit of the doubt. Assume the best. Be quick to apologize and to forgive. Let your words be filled with grace. All true love is self-sacrificing.”
“Communication is vital. Talk about what’s on your mind with your spouse. Be a good listener & encourage one another. Say what’s on your mind & LET IT GO! Not always easy but is better to not let junk linger,” adds Leigh Anne, a dear family friend.
Be Kind to Each Other and Communicate
Jake, a pastor and friend of mine, says, “All relationships require work. Give each other the benefit of the doubt. Assume the best. Be quick to apologize and to forgive. Let your words be filled with grace. All true love is self-sacrificing.”
“Communication is vital. Talk about what’s on your mind with your spouse. Be a good listener & encourage one another. Say what’s on your mind & LET IT GO! Not always easy but is better to not let junk linger,” adds Leigh Anne, a dear family friend.
Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Courtney of After the Engagement recommends, “Communication is key. Don’t expect the other person to know what you are thinking or what you want.” That is so true! People are not mind readers and the tired game of pretending not to be upset when you really are does no good for a relationship. Speak your mind and do not let bad things fester.
Courtney of After the Engagement recommends, “Communication is key. Don’t expect the other person to know what you are thinking or what you want.” That is so true! People are not mind readers and the tired game of pretending not to be upset when you really are does no good for a relationship. Speak your mind and do not let bad things fester.
Cavin Elizabeth Photography
My bride Kirsten says, “I’d recommend hiring a cleaning service and making sure it stays in your budget. No more bickering or getting annoyed with whose turn it is to clean the bathroom or the floors. More time to enjoy each other’s company and take the mundane stuff out of the equation.” I absolutely love that. If there’s extra room in your budget to outsource a chore that causes stress, then by all means go for it!
Determine Chores and Tasks that Cause Stress
My bride Kirsten says, “I’d recommend hiring a cleaning service and making sure it stays in your budget. No more bickering or getting annoyed with whose turn it is to clean the bathroom or the floors. More time to enjoy each other’s company and take the mundane stuff out of the equation.” I absolutely love that. If there’s extra room in your budget to outsource a chore that causes stress, then by all means go for it!
Cavin Elizabeth Photography
My husband and I take turns on chores like cleaning our cats’ litter box, bottle feeding our foster kittens, and doing the laundry. For things like dishes, we have a system where he loads and I unload. For us, balance is important. It’s both of your responsibility to maintain the kind of home you want to live in. If your spouse is messier than you and it drives you nuts, figure out a system that will make you both happy. Whether that’s hiring a cleaner or coming up with a chore chart, you’ll be glad you solved the issue for good!
My husband and I take turns on chores like cleaning our cats’ litter box, bottle feeding our foster kittens, and doing the laundry. For things like dishes, we have a system where he loads and I unload. For us, balance is important. It’s both of your responsibility to maintain the kind of home you want to live in. If your spouse is messier than you and it drives you nuts, figure out a system that will make you both happy. Whether that’s hiring a cleaner or coming up with a chore chart, you’ll be glad you solved the issue for good!
Cavin Elizabeth Photography
A friend of mine, and a photographer, Brooke Tyson recommends that couples “listen more and listen fully. Turn off the TV, put down your cell phone, and listen. Engage with each other, and expect that in return. Oh, and cook together. My husband and I love cooking dinner together. After almost fifteen years together, we still have so much fun trying new recipes together!”
Carol of Lutterbach Fotografia suggests, “Learn to evolve and change together. Nothing will stay the same as your first year, so enjoy it and try to live in the moment.”
Spend Quality Time Together
A friend of mine, and a photographer, Brooke Tyson recommends that couples “listen more and listen fully. Turn off the TV, put down your cell phone, and listen. Engage with each other, and expect that in return. Oh, and cook together. My husband and I love cooking dinner together. After almost fifteen years together, we still have so much fun trying new recipes together!”
Carol of Lutterbach Fotografia suggests, “Learn to evolve and change together. Nothing will stay the same as your first year, so enjoy it and try to live in the moment.”
Cavin Elizabeth Photography
One of my bridesmaids, Tylerann, who met her man while hiking the Appalachian Trail (yes, she’s super cool!), suggests that couples “take walks together. Around the block or a long one in nature. You'll see things as you go that will stimulate new and interesting conversations. Not only are you doing something healthy with your loved one, but you might learn something new about them no matter how long you've been together.”
One of my bridesmaids, Tylerann, who met her man while hiking the Appalachian Trail (yes, she’s super cool!), suggests that couples “take walks together. Around the block or a long one in nature. You'll see things as you go that will stimulate new and interesting conversations. Not only are you doing something healthy with your loved one, but you might learn something new about them no matter how long you've been together.”
Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Cavin Elizabeth is a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, California. Her wedding work has taken her all over the United States and abroad. In addition to being a photographer, Cavin is an educator and an avid blogger of wedding planning tips for brides and grooms. She authored the book A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding, which teaches couples how to make wedding plans that are best for photography.
Cavin Elizabeth is a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, California. Her wedding work has taken her all over the United States and abroad. In addition to being a photographer, Cavin is an educator and an avid blogger of wedding planning tips for brides and grooms. She authored the book A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding, which teaches couples how to make wedding plans that are best for photography.