The Divorce Attorney Journal

Did you get married on Valentine’s Day, or on a notable date like 9/9/99 or 12/13/14? Marriages that take place on a holiday or a unique-number date are more likely to end in divorce, according to a study that tracked one million couples. Getting hitched on a trendy date doesn’t spell certain doom, but there are certain characteristics surrounding these dates that make all the difference in staying together and getting a Michigan divorce.

The Date Is Everything – and Nothing

Divorce struck 11 percent of Valentine’s Day nuptials and 10 percent of special-date weddings by the fifth anniversary, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research. Ordinary date marriages had an 8 percent divorce rate in the same time frame. Expectations clearly did not match reality for the 21 percent of couples who thought a unique date would bode better for their union.

Nine years after these special-date weddings, 21 percent of Valentine’s Day marriages and 19 percent of unique-number date unions were over, leading to a whopping 40 percent of gimmicky-date weddings going bust.

Conclusion? The wedding date may play a part, but there are other factors influencing the divorce rate.

Did you get married at the wrong age? >>

What’s So Bad About February 14?

There are plenty of factors to consider when trying to determine why unique-date weddings end in failure more often than weddings held on other days.

• They’re neophytes: To capitalize on a cool anniversary date, couples who are not ready for a major commitment may get marriage before they’ve explored whether they’re truly the best match.
• It’s romantic: Sure, it’s clever to get married on a special date, particularly one associated with love and roses. But that doesn’t mean the marriage is charmed.
• They’re in a rush: Expecting a special delivery? The study found that Valentine’s Day brides were more likely to be pregnant on their wedding day.
• They’re hopeful: This study also discovered that couples who were previously divorced and already had children were more likely to choose special-number wedding dates. Hoping for a little luck from Cupid this time around?
• They’re blinded by love: A marriage on Valentine’s Day or a special-number date or any other holiday for that matter may feel incredibly special and unique. Some couples may be so focused on the date on the calendar and the hoopla surrounding it that they spend more time on the planning of the wedding day than on thinking about the actual marriage.

Speculations aside, the research from the Melbourne study also found that couples who “slide” into a marriage date because of external clues are more likely to have a failed union than couples who “decide” to take that next step, regardless of the wedding date.

All this research implies one thing: Prepare for the marriage and not just the wedding, whatever date of the year or day of the week your marriage date falls on. You can have a successful marriage if you get hitched on February 14, but make sure you’re committed to each other first. Certainly, every couple who is getting married looks at the calendar to pick a date that sits well with them. If you get lucky that a cool date is coming up and you’re already engaged and planning, go for it. Ambivalence can be the kiss of death and lead to divorce.

Whatever the date of your wedding, if you’re headed for a Michigan divorce now, contact Femminineo Attorneys, PLLC in Macomb, Michigan to schedule your free consultation.