5 different types of marriages that define modern relationships

A companionate marriage is built on the foundations of friendship, emotional intimacy, and mutual support. Partners in such marriages prioritise having shared experiences, trust, and spending quality time together over traditional gender roles or expectations. Instead of focusing only on financial stability or raising children, such couples value their bond as best friends first and foremost.

Considering the busy schedules most couples have these days, a Living Apart Together (LAT) marriage is what many modern couples are opting for. In LAT, partners are committed to each other, however, they choose to have their separate residences. This model suits couples who value their independence, personal space, or who have demanding careers or family obligations in different cities. LAT marriages challenge the conventional view that love must involve daily co-habitation. Instead, these couples stay emotionally close while managing their own households and individual lives.

In an open marriage, couples are allowed to date or have romantic relationships with others, outside the marriage while still being legally married to each other. Contrary to traditional monogamous marriages, open marriages require a very strong foundation of trust, communication, and clear boundaries between partners to survive the test of time. Couples who opt for open marriages often cite a desire for chemistry, variety and the thrill of being in love as the reason to have different partners at the same time.

In this type of marriage, two people often get married for practical reasons-- like financial stability or social status, instead of love or emotional connection. This type of marriage is not new; historically many royalty and wealthy families had marriages of convenience to secure alliances, inheritances, or social status. However, in modern times, marriages of convenience can also arise for immigration benefits, financial security, or companionship without romantic expectations. Couples in this type arrangement have mutual respect and friendship for each other, which keeps their partnership going.

In this type of marriage, couple try being married for a few years. One's responsibilities and duties are line out in a contract to avoid conflicts or confusion later on. And once the contract ends, they have a choice to renew or end it, depending on how good or bad their partnership was.