Over half of divorcees had doubts on their wedding day and considered leaving their partner at the altar, study reveals

Some participants married because they were too embarrassed to cancel such an expensive event

Half of divorcees say they had cold feet, a survey has found (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Over half of divorcees considered abandoning their husband or wife-to-be at the altar on their wedding day, a new study has revealed.

On top of likely worrying about wedding favours and making sure guests behave on their big day, 49 per cent of divorcees admitted they were unsure before the ceremony that their marriage would last.

Some 15 per cent of divorcees polled said they were so wracked with doubt that they felt physically sick in the run up to their wedding.

When asked what prompted them to go ahead with the wedding, few cited love. Instead, people said they got married because it was “too late” to turn back on an event that had cost so much money.

Others explained they were either too embarrassed, felt guilty letting their partner down, or succumbed to pressure from their families.

The survey of 1,604 divorced UK adults by lawyers Slater and Gordon also revealed that one in six people thought they would be able to change their partner for the better once they had exchanged vows, while 42 per cent simply hoped it would work out.

And despite the fact only 36 per cent of divorcees felt positive about their future on their wedding day, only 13 per cent had thought about what they would do if they got divorced.

The divorcees also appeared confused about the law, and while many were too embarrassed to call off the wedding, they in turn didn’t consider it a big issue to end their marriage shortly after the ceremony.

Some 48 per cent said they believed a quick divorce would be easy to arrange. Nearly a third wrongly thought they could have their marriage annulled, while 17 per cent said they mistakenly assumed a divorce would not be necessary if they broke up with their partner within six months of the wedding.

As many as forty five per cent said they had no idea their spouse would have a claim on their assets if the union lasted for less than a year.

However, nearly half of divorcees appeared to have appreciated their marriage to some extent, and said they did not regret going ahead with the ceremony despite it eventually breaking down.

Top ten reasons doubting Brits walked down the aisle
1) Just hoped it would work out

2) Felt it was too late to pull out

3) Thought doubts were just nerves or “jitters”

4) Felt too guilty to stop the wedding

5) Felt pressure from family

6) Thought my spouse would change once we were married

7) Too embarrassed to end the engagement

8)Didn’t want to split up

9) Spent too much money on the wedding

10) We have children and I felt we should get married