After over a decade together, Erika finally said yes.
We’d like the #1 with fries
We tied the knot in the drive-through Tunnel of Love at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, and Ernie was our best dog. The place is every bit as kitschy as it looks.
We didn’t plan out the Vegas trip to get married – we were there for a couple of concerts. Years ago, Erika had said we were allowed to get married if we happened to be in Vegas, but we couldn’t go to Vegas specifically to get married. On this trip, we went through a few jewelry stores, and Tiffany had discontinued the ring she liked a few years back. That must have been the thing that pushed her over the edge – she promptly went looking for any of them left in stock at other Tiffany stores (I think there’s one on every Vegas block.) She got lucky – one was left at Bellagio – and that was that.
Our el-cheapo wedding and our long dating period bodes well for our marriage. A recent study by Emory University found that:
- Dating for more than 3 years before marriage = 39% less likely to divorce
- Spent less than $1k on the wedding = 53% less likely to divorce (I’m not counting the ring in the cost of the wedding, but I’m not sure if the study works that way)
- Household income over $125k = 51% less likely to divorce
Based on that, we’re set for life. Whew.
58 Comments. Leave new
Congrats!! Coming from someone who was engaged for three years…..the best things are worth waiting for (celebrating our 32nd anniversary this November).
Tracy – thanks, and congratulations! Wow, 32 years, that’s fantastic.
Congrats Erika and Brent! May you have a lifetime of happiness together.
DPH – Thanks sir!
Congrats! But dat car tho…
Jorriss – Thanks sir! Erika kept saying, “You could have rented a Porsche,” hahaha.
It would have been funnier if she said Tesla.
Congratulations to you both, wonderful news 🙂
Andy – thanks sir!
Congrats Brent, may you both be happy!
Marian – thanks!
Congratulations, Brent!
(coming from someone who, according to your quoted figures, is defying a 143% chance of divorce for over 20 years already)
Hugo – HAHAHA, thanks sir, and good luck keeping up with defying the odds.
(Oh, and congratulations, to Erika too, of course).
huge congrats but slightly sorry I couldn’t have rented a Masarati to cheer and honk from the parking lot.
HAHAHA, thanks sir.
wonderful news Brent! Congratulations to you both!!!
Congratulations, Brent and Erika on your nuptials! May you have a long and happy life together…
Wow, congrats to you and Erika, Brent!
She’s a lucky girl, and I’m sure you’re a lucky guy to be with her!
Congrats!
Congrats sir!!!
So basically:
Set M = 1 — Marriage
Select (Brent + Erika) * M
— Did not factor in the secret chore list of Brent now only known to us long timers Congrats again!!!
Congrats to you both!
Many years back, I had a friend that went to Vegas for the weekend and decided to get married while they were there right before they left. She took a lot of flak from her family, but I told I thought it was a very smart way to do it. Have the honeymoon first, and if that goes well, then you get married. 🙂
Well that Sir is some awesome news
Many congratulations to you both and I wish you years of happiness ahead
Congratulations to Erika, Brent, and Ernie too! I hope that you’re all happy, healthy, and together for the rest of your lives!
Congratulation to both of you. Wish you all the luck in your journey ahead!!!!
Congratulations.
Someone finally made an honest man of you! Congratulations 🙂
HAHAHAHA, yes indeed! Thanks guys!
Congrats! Yes, marriage is not something to be rushed into. Taking your time doing it is the way to go. I totally agree on not spending a ton of money on the wedding either. That just sets a precedent that real life can never live up to.
AWESOME!! Congratulations! Having myself had a Vegas wedding, I can honestly say nothing quite compares, perfect kitschy start to a new journey in life 🙂
Pam – thanks! It’s funny, now I’m hearing from all kinds of people who have done it, and every time I hear it, I go, “Yep, I can see them doing it, and now I feel even better about us doing it.” It’s such a fun way to get married.
Congratulations! I’ll buy you a Moscow Mule in a few weeks to celebrate 🙂
Lori – hahaha, deal!
Congrats to you both!
Wow, congrats to you and Erika, Brent! (and Ernie too!)
I can only confirm the findings of that study – dating 5y, married 17 and counting.
Good luck!
Being married for 10 years and then having a ceremony will do no harm at all!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Erika & Brent!
Great to see Brent. Congrats man!
Oh, wow! Congratulations from me too, Brent!
Congratulations!
About your stats:
Loving each other should also add a few positive percent points to this I’m sure 🙂
And I think there have been documented cases where it was bad news if 50% of your net worth would be enough to never work again 😉
Contrats you two!!!
Congrats to you both!
Thanks everybody!
Congratulations Brent! My wife and I were married in Vegas in February of 96, and it snowed! People blamed us because we were from WI.
The chapels all seemed to commercial for us, so we went to the Justice of the Peace downtown. They got a kick out of it and pulled a few people from their desks to be witnesses. I think it made their day, and we didn’t have to tip anyone!
Congratulations to the both of you.
Congratulations! Long and happy life and marriage to you both!
Congrats!
Congratulations to both of you.
I Corinthians 13:4-13
Congratulations Brent & Erika! Wishing you a happy, blissful life together 🙂
Congratulation!!!!!!
Congratulations, Brent!
That is so freakin’ awesome! Congratulations you two (Ernie may argue three). Amazing news!
Congratulations to Erika! She landed a great guy!
Hahaha, thanks guys!
Congrats!
To set the record straight. The Divorce rate has not now or EVER been 50%. It’s actually around 35%.
Since she has stayed with you this long I would say that yall are it it for the long haul!!
Congratulations to you and Erika! May you have a wonderful and fulfilling life together! My fiance’ (who is also a DBA) tried to get me to go to Vegas…we settled on an April 2015 wedding in St. Thomas instead. Maybe I should have said ‘Yes’ to Vegas…it looks like you two had a BLAST! 🙂
Congrats, This is awesome news. Back in 2012, Nastia and I got married after 4 years together. Best decision I ever made. I wish you both many decades of happiness!
Congratulations to you both and best wishes for a long and happy life together!