The brides breaking with old tradition
STUDY LOOKS AT MODERN MARRIAGE AS ROYALS MARK 70 YEARS
WE are gathered here today to celebrate Geordie weddings.
New research has shown how getting married in the North East is not what it used to be.
The Royal Mint commissioned a study to mark the 70th anniversary of the wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip on November 20.
And it showed that couples in the region like to have and to hold someone else.
Forsaking all others might still be a traditional wedding vow but in practice only 30% of Newcastle couples believe monogamy is the key to a successful marriage, according to the survey.
And that's just one example of the change in attitudes discovered by the research.
For better or for worse, today's young couples have a more relaxed view of wedded bliss.
And some traditions simply have no relevance any more.
Only a fifth of men in the region now ask for permission for their bride's hand in marriage.
Only 43% of young brides now wear white.
And even taking the man's surname is something that's losing popularity.
A spokesperson for The Royal Mint said: “As marriage has evolved, older traditions are beginning to decline in popularity and are being replaced with new customs.
“The role of family is becoming less prevalent in weddings and marriages – whilst historically men have sought permission for their bride's hand in marriage from her father, only a fifth of couples in Newcastle follow this convention, and just 18% of them claimed the bride's parents paid for the big day.
“Geordie brides are increasingly eschewing the customary white dress too, with only 43% following the tradition.
“Image has become one of the most important elements around a wedding, with almost a fifth (19%) citing hair and make-up as an important element of the day, compared to 70 years ago when the Queen applied her own make-up.”
But royal correspondent Jennie Bond still believes older couples, like the Queen and Prince Philip, can share a love story.
She has launched a commemorative coin to mark the royal couple's platinum anniversary.
Jennie said: “Over the years, I have witnessed and reported on many important royal milestones from a very close range.
“As we celebrate the Queen's 70 years of marriage to Prince Philip I am proud to reveal the London Mint Office's beautifully crafted coin, a gift to the nation.
“It captures the Queen and Prince Philip, on their wedding day, a true symbol of romance for our modern day and provides us with a wonderful way of commemo-
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh appear on a set of double-headed platinum coins coins, specially struck as they become the first British royal couple to celebrate a platinum wedding anniversary Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leaving Westminster Abbey after their wedding ceremony rating the first royal wedding to last 70 years.” The research also revealed some new traditions. Only 72% of young married couples take their husband's name compared to 97% couples aged 55+. Double-barrelled names, turning both surnames into one, is becoming more common and one in 10 men between the ages of 18 and 34 now take on their wife's surname – something unheard of 70 years ago. Emotions at weddings can run high – compounded by unlimited access to alcohol and reuniting family members – this could explain the 8% of people in the UK to have attended weddings which descended into brawls, and one in four witness extremely drunk wedding guests.
Even the wedding planning stage is not without headaches, as one in 10 people claim interference from parents caused arguments between the couple. For those seeking a lifelong marriage, the study reveals the top 10 secrets to a successful marriage according to couples in Newcastle, which include:
Showing each other respect (69%)
Maintaining a shared sense of humour (69%) Sharing problems (63%) Sharing everything with each other (53%) Patience (52%) Sharing household chores (52%) Having your own personal space (41%) A good sex life (38%) Holidays together (35%) Kissing every day (31%)