What are the common challenges in the first year of marriage?

Common challenges are unrealistic expectations, money, in-laws, intimacy and sharing household chores. All of these are normal and can be overcome when discussed early, before bottled-up feelings turn into quarrels. Many new couples are surprised that love does not erase differences in habits; it needs give and take. Do not keep problems to yourself. Asking someone you trust or seeing a counsellor at an early stage is far easier than repairing the damage later. See trials in a marriage.