Honeymoons Cut Divorce Risk by 41%
Marriages with a honeymoon, even if that means cutting the wedding budget last longer, according to study | Photo Credit: Atlantic Ambience
A study by jeweler Mark Broumand challenges one of the wedding industry’s most persistent assumptions: that bigger weddings create stronger marriages. The data shows that the true predictor of longevity isn’t a luxury venue or a floral budget, it’s the honeymoon
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Honeymoon Over Ceremony Spending
According to Broumand’s study, couples who took a honeymoon were 41% less likely to divorce than those who skipped the tradition, regardless of how much or how little they spent. From luxury resorts abroad to modest camping trips, the effect was consistent: shared time together created lasting bonds.
The findings highlight an important contrast:
· Couples who spent heavily on their ceremonies but skipped a honeymoon saw no measurable improvement in marital duration.
· In some cases, they expressed regret that funds went to impressing guests rather than investing in shared experiences.
By comparison, even short honeymoons gave couples uninterrupted time to deepen communication, set shared goals, and enter married life with closeness instead of financial strain.
“As jewelers, we see firsthand how couples invest in symbols of commitment — rings that last for generations. But our research shows that it’s the time couples invest in each other, not the dollars spent on the ceremony, that most strongly predicts longevity. The contrast is striking: a $55,000 wedding without a honeymoon doesn’t strengthen a marriage the way even a modest trip can. The lesson is clear — the wedding is for friends and family, but the honeymoon is for the couple. Those early days of focus, intimacy, and shared memory create a foundation that outlasts any décor or catering choice. ”
Beyond a Vacation: A Transition Ritual
Sociologists note that honeymoons function as more than a getaway. They mark a ritual transition into married life, separating couples from external pressures and allowing them to focus entirely on each other.
The study also emphasizes a psychological edge: couples who start marriage with a positive shared memory in an environment of relaxation and intimacy are more resilient when challenges arise.
A Message for Budget-Conscious Couples
For couples under financial strain, the takeaway is reassuring. Skipping the honeymoon to cover rising wedding costs may be a false economy. Even low-budget honeymoons produced the same long-term benefits as luxury trips. This suggests that couples can prioritize simple, shared experiences, a road trip, a weekend retreat, or even a staycation, and still enjoy the protective effect.
