You may wish to call and cancel that life-sized ice statue of yourself and your fiancée—a study from Emory University found that people who have expensive weddings are more likely to get divorced.
The study, aptly titled, “‘A Diamond is Forever’ and Other Fairy Tales,” surveyed over 3,000 married persons in the United States. They found that couples who spent over $20,000 on their nuptials were 1.6 times more likely to divorce compared to couples whose wedding ceremonies cost between $5,000 and $10,000. Lovers who spent only $1,000 on their wedding were even less likely to divorce.
For context, the average wedding in the US costs approximately $30,000. Couples who wish to improve their odds of marital bliss by scrimping on wedding expenses will be forced to make quite a few cutbacks.
The study’s authors found the same correlation between engagement ring cost and successful marriages: the cheaper the rock, the more rock solid the relationship.
The study didn’t explore the reasons behind these connections, but there are theories. Professor Hugo M. Mialon, co-author of the study, said: “It could be that the type of couples who have a … (budget wedding) are the type that are a perfect match for each other”. He also speculated that, “having an inexpensive wedding relieves young couples of financial burdens that may strain their marriage”.
On a more pessimistic note, it is possible that couples that couldn’t afford lavish weddings are also less likely to enter costly divorce proceedings.
The study also found that married couples were more likely to stick together when there was a large turnout at their wedding. Andrew M. Francis, also the study’s co-author, told CNN: “This could be evidence of a community effect, i.e., having more support from friends and family may help the couple to get through the challenges of marriage”.
So if you’re planning a wedding, be sure to invite everyone you know, all while keeping the cost under $1,000.
Vardags’ team of top divorce lawyers delivers bespoke legal services to HNW and UHNW individuals, their families and businesses. Learn more from Vardags’ divorce guides.
Vardags Limited is a limited company trading as Vardags, Company No 7199468, registered in England and Wales, having its registered office at 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG. Vardags is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 535955). Its VAT number is 99 001 7230.
Vardags uses the term ‘Partner’ as a professional title only, to describe a Senior Solicitor, Employee or Consultant with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications (whether legally qualified or otherwise) to merit the title. Our Partners are not partners in the legal sense. They are not liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of Vardags Limited. Similarly, the term ’Director’ is a professional title only, to describe a non-legally qualified employee or consultant of Vardags with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications to merit the title. It does not necessarily imply that the relevant individual is a director of Vardags Limited.
A list of the directors of Vardags Limited and a list of the names of those using the title of ’Director’ and ’Partner’ together with their official status is available for inspection at Vardags’ registered office.