Indian summers could bring winter nuptials back in vogue
- 80%* of Brits would consider an autumn wedding if Indian summers were the norm - with women more adaptable to change than men
- Tradition of summer weddings has only been popular since 1900
- Our ancestors favoured autumn and winter marriage ceremonies in the 1800s
The prospect of ‘Indian summers’ continuing in the future could persuade 80% of brides and grooms-to-be to follow in the tradition of their Victorian ancestors by having an autumn/winter wedding, suggests research by leading family history website genesreunited.co.uk. Sir Paul McCartney and Lady Nancy Shevell were lucky with their sunshine filled wedding last month, and even as the weather begins to turn many may already be planning for an Autumn wedding next year.
Many of our modern wedding traditions, such as white bridal gowns and large wedding cakes, came from the Victorians, except for one key difference: the majority of the Victorians chose to marry in the autumn/winter months. Today, many Brits are still on a high from the Indian summer that was October, with the majority now saying they would consider exchanging their vows at this time. Between men and women, interestingly it seems women are most adaptable to change and prepared to throw back existing traditions with 84% happy to consider an autumn wedding, compared to 77% of men. 12% of men answered no outright, compared to 8% of women.
Analysis of nineteenth and twentieth century marriage records by genesreunited.co.uk reveals that the stereotypical summer wedding isn’t a long-standing tradition in England and Wales. The months of October, November and December were consistently the most popular months for weddings in every year throughout the nineteenth century, and it wasn’t until the 1900s that summer weddings became the norm.
However, it seems in recent years the autumn/winter wedding has become popular once again, with a 200 per cent** rise between 2007 and 2009, and with this year’s Indian summer the trend could well continue. Many famous couples have exchanged their vows over the autumn and winter months, including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (November, 2006), Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin (December, 2003) and HRH The Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip (November, 1947). In the Victorian era, Queen Victoria herself married Prince Albert in February of 1840.
Rhoda Breakell, head of genesreunited.co.uk, said: “Autumn and winter weddings were quite the norm for the Victorians, and with the change in weather, and lower costs an ‘off season’ wedding entails, perhaps we are beginning to see a turning point in trends. Marriage certificates are invaluable records for family historians looking to discover not only who, but where and when their ancestors married. Marriage certificates usually also recorded the name of the bride and groom’s fathers, meaning these records can help people trace back a further generation of their family tree.
“Exploring your family history can help you to discover some exciting finds and interesting traits that you may have inherited from your ancestors. If you are interested in your family tree and want to build an image of what life was like for your ancestors, our records provide a fascinating insight through history."
A third (34%)*** of Brits jet off to sunnier climes in winter to wed, but with the mercury hitting 29 degrees at the start of October there may be less need in future. In contrast, the average temperature for July and August hovered just around 16 degrees****.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
* Research results from an online survey ran by Opinium Research of 2013 UK adults (aged 18 plus) from 21st – 24th October 2011
** According to research completed by website Confetti, February 2009
*** Supported by Debenhams research, November 2010
**** Monthly averages taken from http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=cet;sess=
Victorian wedding rhymes:
Marry on Monday for health
Tuesday for wealth
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for crosses
Friday for losses
Saturday for no luck at all
A January bride will be a prudent housekeeper, and very good tempered.
A February bride will be an affectionate wife, And a tender mother.
A March bride will be a frivolous chatterbox, somewhat given to quarrelling.
An April bride will be inconsistent, or forceful, But well-meaning.
A May bride will be handsome, agreeable, and practical.
A June bride will be impetuous, And generous.
A July bride will be handsome, But a trifle quick-tempered.
An August bride will be agreeable, And practical as well.
A September bride will be discreet, affable, And much liked.
An October bride will be pretty, coquettish, Loving but jealous.
A November bride will be liberal and kind, But sometimes cold.
A December bride will be fond of novelty, Entertaining but extravagant
