Should I Get Married?

Should I get married? Yes, although the number of weddings every year has declined, 46% of unmarried Americans say they want to get married. About half of all adults 18 years and older are married.

Are weddings a waste of money? You would think from the wedding magazines that weddings are all about falling in love with the dress, trendy color schemes, and champagne fountains. Their message is that wedding styles are more important than substance. Why should you get married, if a wedding is all about splashy spending?

In actuality, a wedding is much more than a splashy party. If you have a religious background, you learned that a wedding is a promise before God. Your church teaches that marriage is an institution created and blessed by God, something bigger than the two of you. As your pastor will remind you, the covenant of marriage requires sacrifices and responsibilities from the young couple. A wedding is more than an event to show your love for each other.

Your wedding does matter, whether or not you are religious. The wedding service creates a sense of unity among the bride, the groom and the family and friends watching. It builds a social bond that helps keep your relationship strong, long after the thank-you notes are written. It demonstrates the joining together of two families, and asks them to witness your promises. It's your families who will provide support for your marriage and keep it intact through the good times and bad.

Promises made in private are easily broken. If no one knows about your promise, you can easily make an excuse for your change of heart, like "I'm just not that into you any more." But promises made in public are promises made to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, childhood friends, school buddies and the celebrant, and your God. The wedding vows demonstrate commitment and hold you accountable. The wedding will remind the happy couple and their guests that marriage comes with a price. The price is faithfulness, respect for your spouse, and putting his or her needs above your own. Public weddings and public vows help build, strong marriages, strong families, and, from them, strong societies.

I wish you a happy day full of romance and memories as you plan your wedding.

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Should I Get Married