American Idol star Colton Dixon and his new wife practised abstinence before they tied the knot earlier this month (Jan16).

The singer married Annie Coggeshall in Nashville, Tennessee on 8 January (16), and the newlyweds honeymooned at a Polynesian resort. Checking into their hotel, Dixon and his new bride were excited to be able to spend the night together.

"It was kind of strange, we checked into the room and realised, 'We actually get to go to sleep side by side! This is so cool'," Colton tells People.com. "Anywhere we've travelled before, we've always gotten two hotel rooms. We wanted to remain pure in that area. There were a lot of moments of, 'Oh, you're not going back to your room. That means we're married'. It made it really special for us."

Dixon explains his upbringing and faith helped him to make his decision, but it was difficult to maintain.

"I believe sex was designed for marriage and I knew it would be more meaningful to wait," he adds. "That was something I grew up thinking and feeling, and I believe the Bible backs it up as well."

"It wasn't because someone was telling me this is what you should do," Coggeshall states. "Deep down in my heart it felt like it was the right thing. And we're really glad we did. We know God's hand is on our marriage."