The rate of failure for American marriages is notoriously abysmal. According to the American Psychological Association, as many as 40 to 50% of marriages will end in divorce. This means that of the 180 or so marriages that take place in New York City alone on any given day, nearly 90 are doomed to fail from the start.
But what if there was a way to ensure that your marriage lasts and doesn’t just become another statistic?
The solution to a matrimony that defies the odds might be simpler than you think: just spend less on your wedding ceremony.
According to a January 14 Inquisitr article, women whose weddings cost $30,000 or more were an astonishing 3.5 times more likely to get divorced than those whose wedding expenses were between $5,000 and $10,000. Equally telling is the fact that men who spend between $2,000 and $4,000 on an engagement ring are 1.3 times more likely to get divorced than those who dropped $500 to $2,000 on a ring.
These findings don’t necessarily indicate that wealthier people are more likely to have unhappy marriages. Plenty of couples who had pricey weddings are able to go the distance. Rather, these facts reveal that those Americans who spend outside their means just to have the perfect wedding are more likely to accrue high amounts of debt. This debt ultimately creates rifts within marriages that can’t be repaired.
But is there anything you can do to cut the cost of your wedding ceremony?
Most wedding expenses come from the venue, catering and various rentals, with photography and video coming next. On average, the cost of these services alone usually adds up to excesses of $13,000. So when looking for places to cut cost corners, aim for these services first. Have a photo-savvy friend take your wedding photos instead of hiring a professional photographer; opt for less-expensive catering choices; consider limiting the amount of time of your reception’s open bar.
Don’t be like the one in four couples that don’t have a budget in place for their weddings. Plan your wedding with moderation and be realistic with what you can afford — it might just save your marriage.
