When couples in Arizona decide to marry, the last thing that may occupy their mind is how their wedding date could be related to their future happiness. Couples select wedding dates for a wide range of reasons. Sometimes, they select a particular date that is important or sentimental for the couple. At other times, couples choose a time and date that is most convenient for family or that offers a discount at the wedding venue. Others may choose a holiday or other special occasion. According to one study conducted at the University of Melbourne, there is a correlation between certain wedding date selections and a couple’s later likelihood of divorce.
When analyzing the marriage and divorce records of a million couples, the researchers found that Valentine’s Day weddings taking place on Feb. 14 were most strongly associated with a higher divorce rate. Within five years after the wedding, 11 percent of couples married on the holiday are divorced. Within nine years, 21 percent had chosen to end their marriages. According to the study, Valentine’s Day was not the only day linked to a higher divorce rate: Other “special number days” like Sept. 9, 1999, were also correlated with a greater likelihood of a split.
Of course, this is not because a Valentine’s Day marriage brings “bad luck” to a couple. Experts attributed the results to a number of potential factors, including some couples’ focus on a perfect wedding date rather than the marriage to follow.
Serious incompatibilities can reveal themselves to any couple as a marriage grows and changes, especially around major issues like parenting or financial management. A family law attorney may work with a spouse who has decided to end a marriage to seek a fair settlement on a range of divorce issues, including child custody, spousal support and property division.
