Leap Year Weddings

Today is a day that occurs once every four years, Leap Day. Leap Day is an extra day in February, created by Julius Caesar in 46BC, made each year equal to 365.25 days, creating a whole day every four years. This is also so our calendar lines up with astrological calendars. 

There's a lot of superstition and traditions surrounding this day, so let's dive into it.

"Bachelor's Day" - the Irish Tradition

The Irish tradition surrounding February 29th is known as Bachelor's Day, where women are "allowed" to propose to men. The tradition supposedly originates from a deal that Saint Bridget struck with Saint Patrick. In the 5th century, St. Bridget is said to have gone to St. Patrick to complain that women had to wait too long to marry because men were slow to propose. St. Patrick responded with an offer that women be allowed to propose on one day every seven years, but St. Bridget convinced him to make it one day every four years. It also had legal basis in Scotland and England at one point, where if the man refused the woman's proposal, he would have to pay a fine (a kiss, a silk gown, sometimes a pair of silk gloves... or 12). 

The tradition was highlighted in Amy Adams' 2010 movie "Leap Year". While we don't condone proposing to an Irishman you only knew for a few weeks at most on Leap Day, it is a rather cute movie and worth the watch.

The Superstitions...

The Greeks and Italians believe that marrying on a leap day will lead to bad luck. This is said to be tied back to the capture and prelude to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Things began to turn for the Roman Empire in 1452, which was a leap year.

The Greeks believe that most marriages celebrating that anniversary will lead to divorce. As for the Italians, leap year is reportedly when women are erratic (???). They both believe that if you marry on a Leap Day and later get divorced, you will never find love again (ouch). The Russians, Ukrainians, and Taiwanese share this superstition as well. They all believe leap years are considered unlucky times to wed, or buy a house. 

You can't get divorced or pregnant in a Leap Year; many of these cultures believed that a newborn during this period should be baptized as soon as possible to protect it from negative influences. The Scots believe that babies born on Leap Day (leaplings) will be cursed to a life of bad luck and suffering.

It is also worth refraining from changing jobs or starting a new business as everything will be in vain and will not be beneficial. There is also apparently a greater risk of bad weather (impacting crops and livestock) and a greater risk of death. 

So while it is a-okay in most cultures for a woman to propose to a man on Leap Day, getting married on Leap Day should be avoided at all costs.

Not in all cultures -

While many cultures believe that getting married on a Leap Day or Leap Year, the Chinese believe that it is an incredibly lucky year to get married!

And for any astronomy-lovers out there, Leap Day is particularly special. This day is vital in keeping the modern-day Georgian calendar in-sync with the Earth’s revolutions around the Sun and without it, our days would be completely thrown off schedule! So getting married on this day is incredibly special.

So what?

Risking the bad luck of getting married during a Leap Year or on Leap Day is up to you and your future spouse. It is an incredibly unique experience, and leads to a lifetime of unique anniversary celebrations. While other anniversaries fall on the same day every year, a leap year anniversary means you get to choose when to celebrate. Having a leap day anniversary gives you and your partner the flexibility to celebrate your special day whenever you would like. Whether it is February 28th, March 1st or the 29th of another month.