Longest + Shortest Marriages by State: Where Michigan Ranks

Some people wonder about the "secret sauce" that makes some marriages go the distance while others fizzle. From old-timers dishing out advice to experts writing books, many people claim they have the answer. A recent report suggests that the secret to a long-lasting marriage might have a lot to do with the place you call home.

For generations, the notion of a successful marriage has often been tied to abstract ideals like love, compatibility, and communication. Indeed, these elements do form the foundation of a thriving relationship, yet they might not be the sole contributors to longevity.

CNBC has a report on marriages that determines which states have the longest-lasting marriages and the places where marriages don’t last. They analyzed divorce data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Their findings revealed that the Northeast and Midwest are the regions where marriages tend to last the longest. West Virginia, Wisconsin, Vermont, Montana, and Michigan are standout states for enduring unions. In Michigan, marriages have an average duration of about 22 years.

On the other hand, Washington, D.C. takes the lead for the shortest marriages, with an average duration of 10.5 years. Alaska, Texas, Nevada, and Utah are not too far behind when it comes to relatively shorter unions.

Interestingly, the overall picture seems to be on the upswing. As mentioned in the report, marriages are now more successful than they were 20 years ago. Back in 2000, about half of all marriages ended in divorce or annulment. However, fast forward to 2021, and the statistics have improved significantly, with only four divorces for every ten marriages in the U.S. This marks a drop of about 20% and shows a positive trend in the realm of long-lasting relationships.

If you want to take a deeper dive into the report, you can check it out here.

Wedding season has begun. In general, wedding season extends from late spring and continues through early fall, with weddings peaking in June and September, per Brides.com. Most couples opt for Spring and early Fall weddings because temperatures are a bit more comfortable compared to the warmer or colder seasons.

When it comes to weddings, some people scope out venues that offer affordability, space for guests, or a place that practically decorates itself with a stunning backdrop. That's why many couples prefer getting married outdoors.  Whether it be a private estate, a public area like a beach, or your own backyard, some cities may be a better option for an outdoor wedding.

LawnLove.com compared 200 of the biggest U.S. cities based on eight categories to compile a list of the best cities for outdoor wedding venues. They looked at the quality of outdoor wedding venues, access to wedding planners, sunshine, and other metrics.

Several cities in Florida and California are at the top, with plenty of access to venues and wedding-related services. The best venue access for outdoor weddings includes Charleston, South Carolina at number one, followed by Savannah (number. 4), Honolulu (number 15), New Orleans (number 10), St. Louis (number 14), and Las Vegas (number 13).

The study found that some smaller cities and suburbs are not so great for nature-themed nuptials, such as Miramar, Florida (number 197), Newark, New Jersey (number 198), and North Las Vegas, Nevada (number 199). They said these cities generally lack venue access, high venue quality, accommodations, and wedding-look resources.

Overall, due to a lack of venues, wedding planners, bridal shops, and accommodations, among other resources, West Valley City, Utah finished at 200.

Check out the full list of the best cities for outdoor weddings here.

Here are the best and worst Michigan cities for outdoor weddings.

West Michigan has several options for an outdoor wedding. They ranked number 59 on the list. Grand Rapids also ranked high for venue quality according to the study.

Warren is low on the list with an overall ranking of 180. It actually tied for fewest outdoor wedding venues per 100,000 residents.

Ranking even lower than Warren at spot number 189 is Detroit. If you plan on looking for outdoor wedding venues in Detroit,  it ranked high for smallest share of budget-friendly outdoor wedding venues. According to WeddingRule.com, the average cost of a wedding in Detroit, Michigan is approximately $24,250.