SMARTER FOR 10
AS THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP CELEBRATE THEIR 70TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH, WE LOOK AT HOW MARRIAGE HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS
1 WHO PAYS THE BILL?
IT used to be traditional for the bride’s parents to pay, but only 17% of 18 to 34-year-olds now say their parents foot the bill, according to a survey commissioned by The London Mint Office, which has produced a commemorative coin to mark the royal anniversary.
2 WHO POPS THE QUESTION?
HISTORICALLY, men asked the father of the bride for permission before they popped the question. How times have changed. Only 30% of the young married couples polled followed that convention.
3 WHAT’S IN A NAME?
THE tradition of women taking their husband’s name is changing, with 72% of young brides doing so, compared with 97% aged 55 or over. Double-barrelling names has become more popular. One in 10 men aged 18 to 34 now takes their wife’s surname – unheard of 70 years ago.
4 NICE DAY FOR A WHITE WEDDING?
ONLY 37% of 18 to 34-year-olds opt for a big white wedding. What seem to have become priorities are photographs and preparations for the big day, a reflection of how society is much more imageconscious because of social media. While the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, did her own make up on her wedding day on November 20, 1947, 37% of brides today hire hair and make-up artists.
5 WHAT MAKES A HAPPY MARRIAGE?
MEN are more prepared to chip in with household chores and that’s saving marriages from divorce. Some 53% of those polled said not fighting over who is doing the dishes or the laundry was one of the key ways couples keep their marriages together.
6 IS THERE A NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE?
A HUGE 70% of Brits think laughing away your problems is essential to keeping a marriage ticking over. Women value a shared sense of humour slightly more than men do, at 77% versus 63%. Londoners are less lighthearted than the Scots. Only 58% of couples in the capital think laughter will solve a problem, compared with 78% in Glasgow.
7 IS IT IN HIS (OR HER) KISS?
PHYSICAL contact, simply a kiss a day, helps ensure a long and happy marriage say 27% of people. And if you want a kiss a day, Liverpool is the city to be, say 41% of people there. In Sheffield couples are the least likely to iss and make up with only 17% enjoying such contact daily.
8 IS MONOGAMY DEAD?
SUPRISINGLY, out of the 2,003 UK adults polled, only a third believe monogamy is the secret to a long-lasting marriage.
9 DO THE KIDS COME FIRST?
HAVING children has traditionally been seen as the cornerstone of a marriage – but now more prefer to relish each others’ company. Just 18% say kids are a prerequisite for a long, happy relationship. The South East is least interested.
10 GIVE A LITTLE RESPECT
The Duke of Edinburgh, in his golden wedding anniversary speech, cited “tolerance” as the one essential ingredient of any happy marriage. The London Mint Office poll found showing each other respect was highest in the top 10 secrets to a successful and lasting marriage, rated 73%. Sharing problems (67%)and patience (64%) was also rated highly. A good sex life was seventh in the list at 42%.