Hello!

25 Comments

Why not turn the end of your marriage into a celebration of your new found freedom and throw a divorce party?

They say that your wedding is the biggest day of your life, but with almost 40% of marriages now ending in divorce, there’s a new trend that may just rival the day you got hitched. Divorce parties initially gained popularity in the US, but are now on the rise in Australia, ranging from extravagant affairs featuring caterers and live music to a simple night out with friends.

Embracing The Single Life

Psychologist John Aitkin told Body and Soul that the stigma around divorce has largely disappeared and couples are able to share the news without feeling ashamed. “Attitudes have changed around the divorce experience and the shame attached to it,” he said. “Years ago, people would tend to see marriage as lasting forever and divorce as being unusual, but now so many people are on the receiving end that it has become more commonplace and accepted. People are now more realistic that relationships can go wrong and couples do get divorced.”

Divorce parties have added an element of fun to what can be a painful experience, with couples choosing to hold the party together in the case of an amicable separation and others opting for a celebrating their new status as a single person. Gift registries, dress burning and ‘pin the tail on the ex’ are all part of the experience, but Mr Aitkin warns that things can easily turn sour. “If there’s anger, hate and regret involved, things could get ugly,” he said.

divorcecake

A New Chapter

Melbourne mum Bronny Fallons, author of the children’s book My Super Single Mum, said her divorce party was less about getting revenge on her partner and more about celebrating the start of a new chapter. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t married him,” she said. “It was a celebration of my independence and letting the world know I was starting a new chapter. In all, 80 women turned up and it was a cathartic experience. I felt so loved and supported. There was something powerful in the ritual. It symbolised the new me, no longer defined as part of a couple.” Bronny says that her ex was understanding about her need to mark the beginning of her new life as a single woman. “My ex thought it was amusing…we ritualise starting a new life as a bride, so it’s a natural progression to ritualise the start of a new life as a single woman.”

We think that divorce parties offer a wonderful chance to let go of the past and celebrate the future – just so long as they don’t get too personal!

Did you hold a party to celebrate your divorce? Share your story in the comments!

 

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • My husband passed away and I have not remarried or even met someone else but I sure hope I never have to deal with a divorce. I know I wouldnt want a party though. I wouldnt even want a birthday party let alone a divorce party. I dont need to be the center of attention.

    Reply

  • I wish I had done this but I was too shell shocked to process anything

    Reply

  • Anything to have a party!

    Reply

  • What a great way to look at a divorce as the start of a new way of life. Love it

    Reply

  • No plans to separate :) But when you end a bad marriage I can imagine you feel relieved and raise a glass. A party wouldn’t be my thing.

    Reply

  • Not married yet. Hoping I never have to do this!

    Reply

  • my husband celebrated his divorce to his first wife, then we set our wedding date and celebrated some more!

    Reply

  • I dont see a problem with celebrating new chapter of life.

    Reply

  • I don’t see any issue with celebrating the end of a horrible marriage, but it would need to be done tastefully, especially if children are involved. You need to remember their feelings and that they may still love and want to be around the other parent

    Reply

  • Another marketing ploy, each to their own however.

    Reply

  • Not sure I like the sentiment in the cake. I think I would be too sad to party if we got a divorce. But I get that some people have bad marriages and are happy when they end. That wouldn’t be me though

    Reply

  • Parties to me mean something wonderful has happened – the break down of a marriage is not usually that. Most people are hurting so why would you? My personal experience was so hurtful that all I wanted to do was creep away and hide.

    Reply

  • I know a divorced lady who threw a large party which would have cost a lot of money (yes a lot).
    In the meantime her Dad has paid all the legal fees which because of her ex claiming 75% instead of 50% cost thousands $ more that it would have otherwise. 3 years later although she has a good job she has made no attempt to pay him back any of the money although she knows he is struggling financially. He is disabled but managed to work until retirement age, she has a very well paid job. There is no children involved so she can’t use that as an excuse.

    Reply

  • Not sure I would throw a party… but there would be businesses that will jump on this band wagon to generate more sales

    Reply

  • I haven’t been divorced, never married either. I guess if it was a bad marriage or it ended cos hubby cheated on me, I might have a celebration that it was over. A lot of people are devastated after divorce and I don’t think celebration is anywhere in sight

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join