Nobody expects to get divorced, otherwise they wouldn't be getting married in the first place.
THIS. Fact of the matter is the divorce rate is over 50%. That's more people than not who ended up really, really wrong or misinformed about what they were getting into. My parents were married for 4 months shy of 25 years and ended up divorced. I am not superstitious about the vast majority of things (I'm getting married on the 13th, lol), AND I waited a really long time to find the right one and be sure so I didn't end up in my parents' boat, but if FI ever wanted to get my name tattooed I would say OH F NO.
I honestly think in some cases people treat tattoos as a substitute for actual measures of commitment and fidelity - "I got a tattoo for you, obviously I love you!" Like my friend's ex-hub, who got her silhouette and wedding flowers instead of, you know, being a good husband. Same as people having babies "to save the relationship." Um. NO. Run away.
That all being said, I MIGHT at some point get a lace snowflake tattoo, to represent the gorgeous snowstorm we got engaged in and my lace dress, HOWEVER it would still be gorgeous and have meaning to me if, God forbid, anything ever went sideways. Symbolism FTW.
My FI wants to get tattoos with his groomsmen the week before the wedding of their "spirit animals". He thinks the three toed sloth is his spirit animal and wants this tattoo. LOL
My ex boyfriend got a tattoo for me. I didn't encourage it at all - I was getting mine done and he said he wanted one. I was totally kidding and thought I was calling his bluff when I asked him if he wanted the same thing. The next day he shows up with my tattoo on his arm.
He still has it and says it doesn't bother him because it signifies a significant time in his life. His wife, however, is none too pleased.
I think spousal tats are totally legit because if you are committing to a FOREVER marriage than you can commit to a forever tattoo. If your only reasoning to not get a tat is because you might get a divorce, you probably shouldn't be getting married.
I wouldn't get FI's name (I dislike name tattoos), but I would consider getting something meaningful to us as a couple. There is a German expression "Alles klar" ('all clear', or 'everything's alright') that FI and I have sort of adopted as our motto (we're both German, spending our honeymoon in Germany, traveled there once a few years ago, etc etc) - I've been tossing around the idea for some time that, at some point in our marriage when it seems appropriate, I'd like to get a tattoo that says "Alles klar".
I do not like name tattoos even for children they are iffy to me. I have 3 tattoos 2 of which mean something to me and one I did spur of the moment. I am looking to have that tattoo covered with something meaningful. I do have a tattoo picked out that I want to have done when me and my FI get marred it is of two wolves howling and the howls form a heart. I do not think name tattoos jinx a marriage but I do not want someone's name on me. If it is your thing go for it.
My FI and I have matching tattoos. They are not each other's names or anything but they happen to be a tattoo of the same thing. If for whatever reason we are divorced in the future either of us could pass it off as not a couple tattoo, but we've had them for years, love them, and love each other. So, I have zero regrets.
Re: Spouse tattoo- the kiss of death?