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

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

Yorkshire Wedding Ideas: How to Bring Yorkshire into Your Wedding Day

Yorkshire Wedding Ideas: How to Bring Yorkshire into Your Wedding Day

When it comes to planning a Yorkshire wedding, it is often the personal touches that make the biggest impression. From favourite family traditions to meaningful locations, weaving elements of your story into your celebration creates a wedding day that feels personal, memorable and completely unique to you as a couple. And with Yorkshire Day taking place on 1st August, there is no better time to celebrate everything that makes this wonderful part of the world so special, by adding Yorkshire wedding ideas to your big day. Whether one or both of you grew up in Yorkshire, you met here, or you have simply fallen in love with Yorkshire's beauty and heritage, there are lots of ways to nod to the region on your wedding day.

READ ARTICLE

Why more Yorkshire couples are heading south for luxury weekends in the Peak District

Why more Yorkshire couples are heading south for luxury weekends in the Peak District

Hope Valley hotel says more guests from across Yorkshire are choosing the Peak District over longer countryside breaks as shorter escapes grow in popularity. Around 20 million people live within an hour's drive of the Peak District, making it one of Britain's most accessible national parks. Yet for many people across Yorkshire, planning a luxury countryside break has traditionally meant heading north to the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors or even further afield. Now, one Peak District hotel believes more people are beginning to look in the opposite direction. Losehill House, an independently owned boutique hotel nestled in its own secluded valley near Hope, says it is welcoming growing numbers of guests from across Yorkshire who are choosing shorter countryside breaks.

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