3 months for your father-in-law to like you!

two men in a vineyard drinking wine and laughing

A new survey, conducted by greetings card marketplace, thortful.com, has revealed the time it takes father-in-laws to approve of their son/daughter's partner, revealing that the average amount of time is three months. The study quizzed 1,000 father-in-laws across the UK on how long it takes for them to approve of their son-in-law, as well as the attributes that are most important to them.

man and woman walking arm and arm outside

It was found that a quarter of father-in-laws (25%) said they actually approved of their son/daughter partner from the first moment they met them, with just less than one in 10 (9%) taking 7 months or longer to approve.

The survey also went on to reveal that almost two-fifths (37%) said that they are happy with who their son/daughter is in a relationship with. More than one in 10 (11%) went on to say that they don't believe their son/daughter needs their dad's approval on their partners, with it completely being their choice.

On the other hand, almost one in five (19%) said they would tell their child if they didn't like their partner, and 16% said they have actually told their child in the past if they haven't approved of who they are with.

The top ways to win over your father-in-law:

  • Show respect to my family (24%)
  • To be family orientated (24%)
  • Take the time to build a relationship with me (18%)
  • Be there during tough times (17%)

two men laughing when looking at a phone

  • Show desire to learn more about my child (15%)
  • Looking at some of the other important factors, 8% said that their potential son-in-law should laugh at their jokes, spend lots of money on their child (8%) and go to the pub with them (7%).
When asked when their childs partner/spouse should avoid doing in order to the get their seal of approval, the top answers from the dads surveyed were:
  • Being disrespectful (26%)
  • Have a bad attitude (22%)
  • Being fake-nice (19%)
  • Forgetting manners (15%)
  • Being a know-it-all (14%)
  • Not speaking to our family (14%)
  • Some of the other attributes that are best avoided were, getting drunk (13%), swearing in front of them (13%), and having sex in the family home (10%).
More information on the study can be found here: thortful.com

Back to previous page

You may also be interested in

Revealed: England and Wales’ most common wedding anniversary date as August accounts for nearly one in six

Revealed: England and Wales’ most common wedding anniversary date as August accounts for nearly one in six

1 September is the most common wedding anniversary date, with an average of 1,557 marriages taking place on the date, new analysis has revealed. The research, from drinks and gifting retailer Bottled and Boxed, analysed 22 years of marriage registration data from the Office for National Statistics to identify the dates when couples across England and Wales are most likely to be celebrating their wedding anniversaries each year. Every date in the top 10 falls between late July and early September, showing how heavily the most common anniversaries are concentrated in late summer. August is the most common month for wedding anniversaries, accounting for 15.7% of all marriages analysed, with an average of 1,254 couples married per day.

READ ARTICLE

Marriage law reform: what the Government’s proposals could mean for couples

Marriage law reform: what the Government’s proposals could mean for couples

Planning a wedding is fun, stressful, time consuming. Couples want a ceremony that reflects their taste, is reflective of their love for each other and feels unique. The current restrictions in place can sometimes fetter that. Long-awaited plans to modernise weddings law in England and Wales could give couples far greater freedom over where and how they marry. It is hoped that they may be part of a much wider transformation of family law which is going through the biggest shakeup in decades.

READ ARTICLE

Entering your marriage era? Forget wedding favours; McDonald’s launches Limited Edition ‘Wedding Flavours’

Entering your marriage era? Forget wedding favours; McDonald’s launches Limited Edition ‘Wedding Flavours’

The nation's brides and grooms can live happily ever after, as prayers are answered with personalised McDonald's sauces for their Big Day. With some of the biggest celebrities making their way down the aisle this summer, it's safe to say 2026 has been the year of saying "I do" – and now McDonald's is bringing the flavour to the wedding season. How many epic weddings end with guests making a grand finale pit stop at a Maccies en route home? Well now you won't have to detour, McDonald's is going to literally bring the ceremonial rite of passage to the actual wedding party.

READ ARTICLE

Bye Bye Sweet Caroline: The Classic Anthems BANNED From UK Weddings

Bye Bye Sweet Caroline: The Classic Anthems BANNED From UK Weddings

The era of the predictable wedding singalong is officially dead, according to new data from entertainment agency Jonny Ross Music. New figures have revealed that Britain's couples are ruthlessly blacklisting the nation's favourite party anthems from their big days. A shocking analysis of playlist requests shows that legendary floor-fillers are being banished to the 'Do Not Play' list. Modern couples are ordering DJs to completely snub overplayed staples like 'Uptown Funk' and 'Mr Brightside'. But Brits are not turning their backs on the dancefloor. Instead of relying on default reception cheese, millennial newlyweds are demanding authentic club vibes that replicate a proper night out.

READ ARTICLE

Follow Your Yorkshire Wedding Magazine on Instagram

VISIT SITE

Follow Your Yorkshire Wedding Magazine on Facebook

VISIT SITE

Blackwell Grange Hotel

VISIT SITE

Lister Horsfall

VISIT SITE