Marriage and Family

Most Liechtensteiner wait until their late 20s to get married; it is seen to be vital to finish school, have some financial stability, and be independent. Some pairs decide to live together prior to or instead of being married. At the federal Registry Office, legal marriages are performed. It is optional but normal to have a religious wedding, which often occurs the day following the civil ceremony. Old wedding traditions include staging a pretend abduction of the bride or draping garlands over the couple's home's door frames.

In Liechtenstein, the nuclear family is the most significant social group. Typically, the father is seen as the leader of the home. In recent years, fewer couples have had children. Families often choose homes over apartments, whereas singles and couples frequently live in apartments. The majority of people reside in single-family houses, but as real estate prices rise, more and more young families are choosing to rent instead of buy. Many people opt to stay in the community where they were raised. In Liechtenstein Culture, by the time they have completed their professional training, adult, unmarried offspring often leave their parents' house. More married women are leaving the house to work.