“Naked” weddings can help to close the growing marriage gap between rich and poor, claims think-tank
Marriage gap between rich and poor doubles in 30 years
Cost of weddings deterring couples from tying the knot
Think tank backs plans to let couples marry where they choose
“Hello style wedding” creating unrealistic expectations
Naked or simpler weddings can help to close the growing marriage gap between rich and poor, which has doubled in the last 30 years, claims marriage think tank.
In 1988, over two thirds (68 per cent) of parents of newborn babies in England & Wales from lower-income groups were married, but this proportion had fallen to just one third, (35 per cent) in 2019. In higher-income groups, the figures have fallen from 91 per cent in 1988 falling to 76 per cent in 2019. This means the ‘marriage gap’ between rich and poor has doubled in the last three decades from 22 per cent to 41 per cent.
One significant barrier to entry for many is the high perceived cost of a wedding. In one study half of unmarried men and one-third of unmarried women cite cost as a reason for not marrying.
Marriage Foundation, which was set up by the former High Court judge, Sir Paul Coleridge, believes the Law Commission’s proposals to allow couples to marry in the way and where they want with simpler “naked” wedding ceremonies will help to reverse this “very worrying” trend.
Sir Paul Coleridge commented: “For far too long the perception has been growing that marriage is an out-of-date social arrangement reserved for the better off who can afford a lavish wedding and reception. Historically this was never so. As recently as only fifty years ago everyone wanted to get married, and they normally did, whatever their financial position. This was hugely to the advantage of society who reaped the benefit in far lower rates of family breakdown. Nowadays, according to the popular wedding app Bridebook the cost of a wedding is, on average £20,000. The result understandably is that a significant portion of the population regard it as beyond their reach.
“The Law Commission’s exciting, new proposed reforms will relax many of the restrictions and open up the process so that couples can design their own wedding and tie the knot wherever they choose whether in their local church or local pub, a castle, a field or even in McDonalds. We hope and believe that this will re-democratise marriage and weddings and usher in a new era of simpler, paired back ceremonies so that marriage will once again be for all.”
Currently, wedding ceremonies must take place at a registered religious building and be conducted by an authorised person, such as a priest, who must attend the ceremony and register the marriage.
The Law Commission proposals which are out for consultation would see many of these restrictions scrapped, bringing England and Wales in line with Scotland.
The Marriage Foundation, in their latest study, Will cheaper weddings bridge the marriage gap? by Harry Benson, highlights two American studies which found that having more guests and spending less money were each associated with greater subsequent marital happiness and stability.
“Over the past fifty years or so, rates of marriage have declined especially among lower-income groups”, it says.
“This created a marriage gap that penalises lower-income couples twice, their chances of staying together made harder not just because of the difficulties of living on a low income but also because they are not taking advantage of the buffer of being married.
“Two of the biggest barriers to marriage – and thus more reliable love – among lower-income families are the lack of sustained political support for marriage and the perceived cost of weddings.
“Firstly, we have consistently highlighted the contrast between the almost universal embrace of marriage by policymakers in their personal lives and their public indifference to marriage in public policy.
“Secondly, cost of a wedding is the biggest reason cited by 51 per cent of men and 38 per cent of women either cohabiting or in a relationship as to why they haven’t married (analysis of 2012 survey by law firm Seddons).
Mr Benson commented: “The latest research suggests that more guests is important because they affirm the couple’s choice to commit. Whereas less money is important because costs influence the risk of subsequent debt and financial problems. Either way, if a reduction in wedding expectations - that every couple does not need to spend a fortune on a lavish Hello style wedding - this opens the way for a resurgence of marriage among lower-income couples and would be good news indeed.”
Sir Paul concluded: “The benefits of marriage derive from the mutual, binding public commitment that the couple make to each other in front of their family and friends. This sweeps away ambiguity and provides them with the best available emotional satisfaction and legal protection for themselves and their children. Sadly, unrealistic expectations created by glossy magazines and far-fetched social media postings have increasingly put off those on low incomes. For too many, the idea of marrying has meant primarily a huge and overly expensive reception which misses the real point of the marriage.
“So, our message is clear, keep it simple and never let the cost of a wedding be a barrier to marriage. If family breakdown is to be tackled effectively the place where policies should be concentrated, is on the reduction in the rate of marriage. And the place to start is with the pernicious perception that marriage is out of date and only for the rich. These reforms together with the recent reforms to the divorce laws have the capacity to change perceptions and bring marriage squarely into the modern era.”
ENDS