Marriage Matters: Keeping the “Holy” in Matrimony is a new workbook in the Courageous Living series by Wilson Adams.

Why do we place so much emphasis on a wedding and so little on a marriage? Perhaps it’s because every bride dreams of the “perfect” wedding. She walks down the aisle in a white gown as the crowd rises to attention while the cute little flower girl drops rose petals in her path. It’s the perfect setting as Cinderella weds Prince Charming.

But what about tomorrow? And all the tomorrows thereafter? No one plans for that. Yet here is a fact each bride and groom must grasp: After every wedding, there comes a marriage! Carriages will turn into pumpkins, wedding gowns go into a box destined for the attic, and Cinderella wakes up as Florence while Prince Charming turns into Fred. And that’s when the real work begins.

My wife waited in line to offer congratulations and best-wishes to the lovely couple. She hugged the bride and heard her say, “I’m just glad the hard part is over.” Julie smiled and said, “Honey, I hate to break it to you, but… the hard part is just beginning.”

It’s true. Too many enter into a relationship with rose-colored glasses only to discover that it takes a tremendous amount of work and selfless sacrifice to succeed in marriage. Maybe that’s why only 50% survive. And out of the remaining half, how many do you think are genuinely happy?

With these challenges in mind, Adams has written 12 “Marriage Matters” chapters.