2 new players looking for answers!

A barb and cleric would be a good combination.

You can also check the class discussion threads to look at potential builds and what is generally expected of the character you choose.

Also decide which preference you have as to PK.
PK on a PvE is ultimately pointless as the majority of people stand outside west arc gate killing level 30s as there isn't much killing to go around. (You can turn pk mode on and off from level 30).
PK on a PvP would be much more fun if your that way inclined as danger is everywhere. (You cannot turn of pk mode from level 30 onwards).

Barbarian + Cleric seems like the most basic 2-person combo, but unfortunately you would be doing different quests until level 20. Of course, you could just go back and forth between quests, helping each other, if you're not in a hurry.

And your wife need not worry, Clerics are far from chumps. They can do a lot of damage and can often tank things no other class can.

And really, have a male/female team. If you invest real money in a faster flier, the male can carry the female. That means you only have to buy one, not two. At level 30 you get a faster flier than the basic one, and after a week when you really like it, it goes away. You can also hug and kiss each other. Wether you like it or not, it does build chi a lot quicker than killing mobs.

I would go with blademaster/Cleric because while the barb is hard to kill, it does little damage. The blademaster can kill a lot faster, and will usually stay out of trouble with the cleric nearby. Those mobs that are magical enough to give the blademaster fits will fall to the cleric, and vica versa. A great pairing to just go out and clobber stuff, and to enjoy the game with just the two of you. A barb/cleric combo would need the cleric to do a lot of the damage. If your style is to play slow and carefull, that would be your choice. The barb/cleric would need friends to do real damage, but those freinds would value you two. The barb/cleirc pairing just might get boring if you want to almost always go out as just the two of you. Either pairing would work well, and after you find in game friends, you should be all set for months of enjoying the game.

I'd say either blademaster and cleric or barbarian and cleric. Blademasters are more balanced, decent at holding aggro with stuns and a threat level skill. They can shift their magical and physical defenses also to suit their needs.

Barbarian would be a superior tanker to the blademaster, but he has lesser damage. A barb + cleric combo would allow you to better solo instances and farm gear for yourselves without having to worry about other people bothering you in your squads for material drops. (Twilight temple)

Even if the cleric is simply a pure build and arcane wearer, they have crazy damage and when played right, is not something you want to mess with in PvP. The first few levels till 30 are pretty hard for clerics, but after this playing one is very rewarding.