“People who got married on special dates were more likely to have been married before and more likely to have children already,” co-author Professor David Ribar of the University of Melbourne said in a statement. Pre-existing sprogs or pregnancies do increase the chance of divorce, as studies have shown.
“We also found that spouses who married on special dates were less alike, in terms of education and ages, than spouses who married on ordinary dates,” co-author Dr Jan Kabátek added. Larger gaps in educational prowess and age are also more likely to foster divorce.
So if you’re childless up until the date of your marriage, and you both grew up in the same decade with similar degrees, you’ll probably be fine to marry on Valentine’s Day if you’re so inclined. Ultimately, though, the authors note that if your relationship is particularly strong, you’re more unlikely to kiss the bride or groom on a gimmicky day.
“Couples who marry on ordinary dates may be more strongly influenced by characteristics of their relationships and their compatibility than couples who marry on special dates,” Ribar concluded.
Keep in mind that there are plenty of other factors that influence whether or not you’re likely to get a divorce. Large differences in income, not having a honeymoon, having inordinately expensive wedding ceremonies, having far too small ceremonies, being a semi-regular churchgoer, and getting married shortly after meeting your partner all increase the chance that it won’t be a case of “until death do us part.”
Happy ever after? Ivan Galashchuk/Shutterstock