A recent study has found that taking two holidays a year, having a meaningful conversation twice a week and cuddling 11 times in a fortnight are key ingredients for a happy marriage.

 

A study of 2,000 happily married couples by Headwater Holidays found that married couples benefit from taking a short break away together twice a year, and eating out in restaurants at least three times a month.

And it pays to be affectionate, as wedded folk tend to share a lingering kiss six times a week, have sex twice a week and say "I love you" up to nine times a fortnight.

Catherine Crone, spokeswoman for Headwater, said: "The research indicates that marriage is all about give and take, and making time for one another.

"It is clear that, while couples expect a great deal of love and affection from each other, they also understand that a real partnership includes having both deep and meaningful conversations as well as healthy arguments, to ensure they resolve anything which is bothering them.”

The survey also indicates that while couples like to have drinks at the pub together three times a month, there will also be a couple of girls' and boys' nights as well, where people can enjoy a night out with friends instead of their other half.

Falling in love with a partner on first sight is NOT indicative that a relationship is meant to be, as only 42% of happy couples say this was the case.

Friendship was important as 47% of those people polled say they were friends with a partner before they became an item, and then eventually married.

Compromising on the television schedule, being honest, retaining a degree of secrecy and accepting each other's faults were also all found to play a part in a happy marriage.