From the giant reception and extravagant wedding cake to the multi-person bridal party and the growing ‘invite list’ of people you hardly know, it’s no surprise that your wedding day can potentially determine the outcome of your marriage.
A study by Emory University, titled ‘A Diamond is Forever and Other Fairy Tales: The Relationship between Wedding Expenses and Marriage Duration’ reveals that those who spend more on their wedding are more likely to wind up with a divorce, with weddings that cost over $20,000 having a divorce rate 1.6 times higher than those priced between $5,000 and $10,000.
CNN suggests that by avoiding the straining debt of an expensive wedding, young couples can be relieved of the financial burdens that may result to an unhappy household. Considering that a Wedded Wonderland study of our own revealed the Average Australian Wedding Cost to be $48,625, it’s easy to see how the stresses of your big day can impact you and your partner.
The study also revealed that while engagement rings symbolise a promise for marriage, they weren’t always as lavish as what they are now. In fact, in Western countries prior to the World War, only 10% of engagement rings carried a diamond, with the end of the century seeing a whopping 80% increase of the now habitual trend.
So for those who are on a tighter budget than hoped for, there’s no reason to be disappointed, with lower spending now appearing to translate to a longer, healthier and happier marriage. Better brush up on your DIY skills, Fairies!
Images via: Krauter Photography Bianca Kate
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Article written by Alison Donnellan
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