A recent study challenges the prevailing notion that lavish spending on weddings contributes to stronger relationships, proposing that couples adopting a more practical approach may fare better in the long term. 

In an era where weddings often come with a hefty price tag, this research aims to disrupt conventional beliefs about the correlation between extravagant ceremonies and enduring marriages.

The study, conducted by economics educators Andrew Francis-Tan and Hugo M Mialon, delved into the wedding and marital experiences of over 3,000 individuals in the United States. 

Contrary to the trend of extravagant weddings, the research reveals an unexpected link between higher wedding expenditures and an increased likelihood of divorce.

Findings indicate that, particularly among men, spending between $2,000 and $4,000 on an engagement ring is associated with a 1.3 times higher risk of divorce compared to a more modest expenditure of $500 to $2,000. 

Additionally, weddings with a budget under $1,000 exhibit a lower probability of divorce compared to those exceeding $20,000, resulting in a 1.6-fold increase in divorce likelihood among women.

The study also highlights the impact of partners attributing significance to each other’s physical appearance in the decision to marry, noting a connection with shorter marriage durations. 

This prompts a reconsideration of what truly matters in the context of marital commitments, challenging the norms of extravagant ceremonies and encouraging a more understated approach.

#MaltaDaily