The honeymoon is over now, literally and metaphorically. Your bags may still be unpacked from the whirlwind tuxedo-to-trunks costume change, but there's no going back now. Everything you and your bride (or Bridezilla) had been planning, looking forward to, and obsessing over for the last year is history. All that remains are pictures, and a new definition of your relationship: marriage.

What feels so different to a married couple after the honeymoon? Abruptly going from being the center of attention, to a return to the day-to-day after a honeymoon is often very palpable for newlyweds. Recent groom Dan Wheeler, 30 says: "the most difficult part of the post-honeymoon period was when people would ask 'do you feel different?'- partly because it didn't feel any different. Maybe I was disappointed because of that." Other than referring to her as "my wife" and not "my girlfriend", what has truly changed in your relationship? Have you suddenly, and unwittingly joined the ranks of boring married couples roaming the cities and towns of the world? GroomGroove thinks not. Why? Because marriage doesn't have to be boring.

Moving In

Couples who haven't yet lived together will be in for the most intense transition. Hopefully she can put up with your nighttime teeth grinding and Monday Night Football, and you will lovingly learn to incorporate vegetables back into your diet and yoga into your gym routine. It will be important to focus on the positive factors of living together, rather than allowing yourself to get bogged down in the negative ones. (The fact that you always leave a mess behind, or that you've now become even more intimately familiar with her monthly cycle.) GroomGroove.com's advice to you is to curb any messy, annoying habits that are simply unbearable, and urge your bride to do likewise. This type of change can only lead to an improved lifestyle, and reduce the potential for conflict between the two of you. There's plenty of room for compromise and habits worth defending (The aforementioned Monday Night Football), but leaving your dirty clothes on the floor isn't one of them.

Money Matters

"Money issues," reports Claire Meillet, 28, of Chicago, Illinois "led to our first real 'fight'. Rob and I had tried to maintain separate bank accounts, but I was always the one buying groceries, from my account. I had had enough. We needed a better strategy." Money is the number one cause of friction in a marriage, and a frequent contributor to divorce. Much of that friction can be avoided in advance of getting married by having an open discussion with your fiancee about financial priorities and setting up a financial system to accomplish those goals. Check out our article on pre-marital financial planning for some specific ways to get on the same financial page with your bride-to-be before you tie the knot. article continues...
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