- Divorce Rate: 23.4% of people
- Percent Married: 47.8%
- Average Age Married: Women 24.8 Men 26.3
Arkansas law allows for "covenant marriages," which require couples to undergo premarital counseling and imposes stricter requirements for divorce, aiming to promote stronger and more enduring marriages. Additionally, in Arkansas, spouses can sue each other for "alienation of affection" if a third party contributes to the breakdown of the marriage.
- Divorce Rate: 22.6% of people
- Percent Married: 49.7%
- Average Age Married: Women 24.5 Men 26.8
Wyoming law permits common law marriages, allowing couples to be considered legally married without a formal ceremony if they meet certain criteria, such as presenting themselves as married and cohabitating. Furthermore, Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote, a milestone in gender equality that has influenced its approach to marriage and family law.
- Divorce Rate: 22.5% of people
- Percent Married: 49.5%
- Average Age Married: Women 25.4 Men 27.1
In Kentucky, a unique tradition called "bundling" once existed. Engaged couples would spend the night together, fully clothed and separated by a "bundling board," to test their compatibility before marriage. Additionally, Kentucky recognizes "handfasting," an ancient Celtic ritual in which couples bind their hands together with ribbons or cords as a symbolic gesture of unity and commitment.
- Divorce Rate: 16.7% of people
- Percent Married: 49.1%
- Average Age Married: Women 27.3 Men 25.7
West Virginia has a rich tradition of community involvement in marriages, with many couples celebrating their weddings with elaborate and festive events that involve the entire community. Additionally, the state offers picturesque locations such as the Greenbrier Resort for destination weddings, attracting couples from around the country to tie the knot amidst its scenic beauty.
- Divorce Rate: 22.1% of people
- Percent Married: 48.9%
- Average Age Married: Women 24.8 Men 26.3
Oklahoma is known for its diverse cultural influences on marriage traditions, blending Native American, cowboy, and pioneer customs into unique wedding ceremonies. Additionally, the state boasts the highest number of marriage licenses issued per capita in the United States, reflecting its vibrant culture of love and commitment.
- Divorce Rate: 21.9% of people
- Percent Married: 50%
- Average Age Married: Women 24 Men 25.8
Idaho has a rich tradition of outdoor weddings, with many couples choosing to exchange vows against the backdrop of its stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and forests. Additionally, Idaho is one of the few states that allow couples to self-solemnize their marriage without an officiant present, providing flexibility for those seeking intimate and personal ceremonies.
- Divorce Rate: 21.9% of people
- Percent Married: 47.8%
- Average Age Married: Women 25.8 Men 27.4
In Alabama, the minimum age to marry without parental consent is 18. However, a person as young as 16 may marry with parental consent. Alabama is one of the few states that still recognizes common-law marriage. A couple can be considered legally married in Alabama if they meet specific requirements, such as presenting themselves as a married couple to others and cohabitating.
- Divorce Rate: 21.9% of people
- Percent Married: 45.7%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.9 Men 29
Delaware law allows for proxy marriages, where one or both parties are absent from the ceremony but represented by another individual, accommodating unique circumstances such as military deployments.
- Divorce Rate: 21.6% of people
- Percent Married: 47.2%
- Average Age Married: Women 25.7 Men 27.3
Tennessee boasts a vibrant music scene, and many couples choose to incorporate live music into their wedding celebrations, featuring local bands or artists. Tennessee law allows couples to solemnize their marriage through a "self-uniting" ceremony, where they declare themselves married without the need for an officiant.
- Divorce Rate: 21.4% of people
- Percent Married: 45.2%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.1 Men 28.1
New Mexico has a rich cultural heritage, and many couples opt for traditional Native American wedding ceremonies, incorporating rituals such as smudging, the exchange of sacred items, and blessings from tribal elders. Additionally, New Mexico law recognizes "common law marriages," allowing couples to be considered legally married without a formal ceremony if they meet certain criteria.
- Divorce Rate: 21.4% of people
- Percent Married: 54%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.1 Men 27.4
In Indiana, the minimum age to marry without parental consent is 18, but minors can wed with consent. Indiana requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized.
- Divorce Rate: 21.3% of people
- Percent Married: 47.5%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.3 Men 28.3
In Georgia, marriage requires both parties to be at least 18 years old, except with parental consent. The state also recognizes common law marriage. Divorce in Georgia is "no-fault," meaning irreconcilable differences are the grounds. Property division follows equitable distribution laws, aiming for fairness rather than strict equality.
- Divorce Rate: 21.3% of people
- Percent Married: 47.9%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.1 Men 28
Colorado is popular for adventurous weddings such as mountaintop ceremonies, ski resort weddings, and wilderness elopements. Additionally, Colorado was one of the first states to legalize same-sex marriage through a landmark court ruling in 2014, reflecting its progressive approach to marriage equality and individual rights.
- Divorce Rate: 21.2% of people
- Percent Married: 46%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.6 Men 28.2
In Louisiana, a covenant marriage option exists, requiring premarital counseling and stricter grounds for divorce. The state also allows "no-fault" divorce, requiring separation for 180 days or 365 days with children. Louisiana's community property law means assets acquired during marriage are typically divided equally in divorce proceedings.
- Divorce Rate: 21.1% of people
- Percent Married: 47.4%
- Average Age Married: Women 27.7 Men 29.5
In Maryland, a mutual and voluntary separation for 12 months or a fault-based ground like adultery, desertion, or cruelty are grounds for divorce. The state doesn't recognize legal separation, but couples can draft separation agreements. Marriages can occur at 18 without parental consent, or at 16 with parental and judicial approval.
- Divorce Rate: 21.1% of people
- Percent Married: 47.6%
- Average Age Married: Women 26 Men 27.5
Mississippi is another state that recognizes common law marriage, allowing couples to be considered legally married without a formal ceremony if they meet certain criteria, reflecting the state's laid-back approach to marital unions. Mississippi also has the lowest average cost of divorce proceedings in the country.
- Divorce Rate: 20.9% of people
- Percent Married: 49.2%
- Average Age Married: Women 25.5 Men 27
In Kansas, couples must wait at least 60 days after filing for divorce before it's finalized. Grounds for divorce include incompatibility, failure to perform a material marital duty or obligation, or incompatibility due to mental illness or mental incapacity. The state also recognizes common-law marriages under certain conditions.
- Divorce Rate: 20.8% of people
- Percent Married: 50.6%
- Average Age Married: Women 25.9 Men 27.5
North Dakota is another state that allows couples to marry through a "covenant marriage," which requires premarital counseling and makes it more difficult to obtain a divorce. Despite this, North Dakota still sees its fair share of divorces, often citing irreconcilable differences.
- Divorce Rate: 20.7% of people
- Percent Married: 48.7%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.3 Men 27.9
In North Carolina, couples can file for a no-fault divorce after living apart for one year. Same-sex marriage became legal in 2014 after a federal court ruling. Pre-marriage counseling is encouraged, with a discount on marriage license fees for those who complete it.
- Divorce Rate: 20.7% of people
- Percent Married: 51.6%
- Average Age Married: Women 23.5 Men 25.6
In Utah, many couples choose to incorporate adventurous activities such as hiking, skiing, or mountain biking into their weddings, creating memorable experiences for themselves and their guests. Like many previous states, Utah offers covenant marriages, emphasizing commitment, but only accounts for a small fraction of unions.
- Divorce Rate: 20.5% of people
- Percent Married: 51.5%
- Average Age Married: Women 25.5 Men 27
South Dakota is renowned for its rich Native American heritage, and many couples opt for weddings that incorporate Native American traditions and customs. Additionally, South Dakota is another "covenant marriage" state and requires a 60-day waiting period after filing for divorce before it can be finalized.
- Divorce Rate: 20.4% of people
- Percent Married: 49.6%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.7 Men 28.6
In Virginia, marriage licenses require a $30 fee and a 3-day waiting period. Couples can marry at age 18 without parental consent. The state allows no-fault divorce, with a one-year separation period for couples without children and six months for those with children. Adultery can affect alimony awards.
- Divorce Rate: 20.3% of people
- Percent Married: 48.2%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.2 Men 28.1
Nevada is famous for its wedding industry, particularly in Las Vegas, where couples can tie the knot in a variety of unique and unconventional settings, including Elvis-themed chapels, drive-thru weddings, and luxurious resort ceremonies. Additionally, Nevada law allows couples to obtain a marriage license 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it convenient for spontaneous or last-minute weddings.
- Divorce Rate: 20.2% of people
- Percent Married: 47.9%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.7 Men 28.2
In South Carolina, marriages can be performed by a minister, officer, or magistrate. Common grounds for divorce include adultery, desertion, and physical cruelty. South Carolina is one of few states where a spouse can be required to pay alimony indefinitely, particularly if the marriage lasted over ten years.
- Divorce Rate: 20.1% of people
- Percent Married: 48.3%
- Average Age Married: Women 26.1 Men 27.6
In Missouri, marriage licenses require a 3-day waiting period, excluding weekends and holidays. The state permits no-fault divorces, allowing dissolution without proving wrongdoing. Missouri holds a 30-day residency requirement before filing for divorce.
