The Leap Year Wedding Tradition

Leap Year is the legendary time when women can feel free to pop the question to their men.

An Irish legend that tells us St. Bridget bitterly complained to St. Patrick that women were having to wait far too long for a marriage proposal.

So he proclaimed February 29 as the day women could officially get down on one knee and ask a man to pledge his love eternal.

A Strategy For Rejection!

However, since the opportunity only comes around every four years, Saint Patrick built in a strategy for the possibility that a guy may say ‘no’ to the woman who proposed.

Rather than be rejected and dejected, reports The Telegraph, “He also decreed … that if turned down, the woman should extract a fine from the man or be given a beautiful garment of some kind.”

So there you have it ladies. Ladies in waiting, Ask … and ye shall receive.

If not get an engagement ring, the man will have to get you something else for your efforts!

20% of Australian Women Agree with St Patrick

An Australian survey showed 20 per cent of women believe in the Saint Patrick’s Leap Year tradition and would propose to the man their heart longed for. But most do not want to pay for their own engagement rings!

A British survey found that despite the tradition, men still feel it is their prerogative to do the asking.

Do we think Saint Patrick’s legendary Leap Year marriage tradition is a good one?

Some women are not so sure.

Not only are you looking at anniversary gifts once every four years … it might feel a little unsettling to be in a marriage that technically can only be celebrated on the same date every four years.

Or, on the other hand, Saint Patrick’s idea of a Leap Year wedding day of February 29th might keep marriage alive and fresh.