58 Best & Worst Reasons to Get Married & Signs You’re Not Ready For It

Marriages were supposed to be made in heaven. But with the high divorce rates in the United States alone, you may find yourself asking if it’s even worth the effort? If you’re looking for reasons to get married, there are so many reasons why you should go ahead, but also many not to.

Of course, commitment is a serious and heavy word, and this goes especially for the commitment-phobes out there. When you get married, you’re in it for the long haul. That’s why you need to be sure that it’s the route for you. It’s important to know that it’s not for everyone.

With marriages come a string of responsibilities, arguments, and real-life issues. But at the same time, marriages do have their own share of good times too.

Is marriage worth it?

Well, it depends on who you ask.

If you ask those who have experienced a failed marriage, they’d probably say no. But for those who have a happy and contented marriage, they’d say yes enthusiastically. Even with the dark reality that marriages can provide, it can still be worth it.

When you marry your best friend and the love of your love, it won’t be like the movies or books. It’s not living in la-la land with your soulmate every day, where your days are filled with sunshine and rainbows. Instead, it’ll be even better. It’s better because it’s real. In a marriage, you have a teammate and partner for life.

You have someone by your side, no matter what life throws at you. You have someone who asks how your day went a million times throughout your life. Marriage can be boring, dull, or mundane – but it can also be fun, fulfilling, and joyful.

There will be days where you won’t feel the spark or chemistry you once felt when you married them, but there will also be days where you feel nothing but love for this person you’re beside.

20 important and meaningful reasons to get married

Almost always, if you’re not ready for marriage, it’s because you haven’t found the right partner yet.

You don’t have a secure job, you don’t think you have enough money, or you like your life just the way it is. There may be a few special instances, but more often than not, these reasons make up all the good excuses to avoid marriage.

If you’re in a long-term relationship already or are wondering how you can evade the big noose around your neck called a marriage, here are the best reasons to get married.

1. Getting Married Is A big commitment

There’s no bigger proof of love than asking your lover for their hand in marriage. Don’t look at marriage as a lock without a key. Look at it as the highest commitment you can give to the one you love to prove your love for them.

It’s a constant decision to choose your partner every day for the rest of your life. There’s no more significant decision than that.

2. Sharing your life with someone

As humans, we’ve evolved to be social creatures that need attention. Living life as a single forever may sound appealing, but at some point, all of us feel the need to be watched by someone else and have someone else to share our happy and sad moments.

Having someone by your side is truly one of the beautiful reasons to get married that you have to acknowledge.

3. You’ve enjoyed your single life

Do you remember how your teen years and your single years were? You’ve partied and had your share of fun, almost until those one-night stands and meaningless flings make no sense to you anymore.

At this point, your mind’s telling you that you’ve changed, and you want someone to share your life with, and not just your bed for a night.

While this is also the reason some people aren’t ready for marriage, there comes the point where you realize it’s more satisfying to cuddle with your boo on Friday nights than getting blackout drunk at parties.

4. The stages of life

As we’ve said earlier, life is a game of stages. And when you’re mentally prepared to enter the next step, your mind convinces you of the benefits of moving to the next stage. Marriage is a pretty important stage in life. If you truly love someone, take the plunge.

It’ll be a whole new experience that’ll be worth the ride. It’s a scary experience, but you’ll realize that this is the stage of your life you’ve been waiting for.

5. Tradition

Whether you’re a traditional person or not, marriage is still one of the beautiful traditions that have been going around for centuries. And just like how we tend to believe things that have been tried and tested, marriage is one of those traditions that has worked for almost all couples, as long as they truly love each other.

So if you’re looking for reasons to get married, it’s a tradition you can’t help but practice if you can’t imagine spending your life with anyone else but them.

6. You’re truly in love

Have you been in a serious relationship for more than a few years with the same person, and you’re still truly happy to be in love? You’re more ready than you think. Your relationship is bound to progress, and this is the next step you’ve both been waiting for.

If you know you can commit to loving them even on days when it isn’t so convenient, that’s one of the reasons to get married. After all, marriage is the biggest reflection of your love.

7. A great support system

Marriage is the best support system that life offers. When you’re going through a difficult time, just knowing that you have a spouse who can share and ease your burden can help you get a better outlook on life.

You’re not just marrying your significant other, but also your best friend. They will be your teammate and partner throughout any ventures you go through, and that’s everything in a marriage.

8. Motivation

Just the thought of knowing that you have a significant other who loves you and cares for you can give you the strength and determination to become a better person and pursue your goals and ambitions with renewed vigor.

If you truly love the one you’re married to, you’d be motivated to create a better life for you and your spouse. This alone should be more than an adequate reason to get married.

9. A name for your relationship

So you’re dating someone for several years. But dating someone and being married to someone just doesn’t sound the same.

A dating relationship is always considered to be more casual than a marriage. And if you really do love your boyfriend or girlfriend, wouldn’t you want to be taken more seriously as a couple?

It’s not that your love for your partner is less if you’re not married, but it’s a higher form of commitment, unlike dating.

10. The norms of society

Marriage has been universally accepted and even demanded in society through the ages.

And just like we’re all meant to work, earn money, live in a house, and lead our lives within the unwritten and written laws of a well-functioning society, getting married to the one you love is on that list. It may sound archaic, but marriage is still the norm and not the exception.

11. Maturity

Remember when we said you should only get married when you’re ready to do so? That’s because it takes maturity to commit to someone for a lifetime. With marriage comes maturity in life.

A marriage requires trust, faith, and commitment. This all helps both partners to develop a stronger sense of maturity.

12. You want children

Part of the package in a marriage is having kids and starting a family. Do you stare at those commercials on the TV where they show happy kids doing cute things and running around a park?

When you’re ready for marriage, you’ll find yourself getting drawn to children and babies with curiosity and affection. You’ll want to have kids of your own who share traits of you and your husband. They’re the result of the immense love you share in your marriage.

13. Marriage gives financial dependability

As partners, you can definitely share each other’s monetary good fortune and deal with tough times. But when you’re married to each other, there’s more financial security because both of you lead your lives and aspirations, keeping each other in mind.

One of the reasons to get married is when you’re financially stable to do so. There’s a bigger maturity and financial pressure at stake compared to dating when you don’t know how to manage and handle your finances.

14. You respect values

This is one of the aspects that are highly critical in a marriage. Values in life give more meaning and make you a person of principles. Marriage is an ethical bond that defines your relationship with your partner as more than just a casual fling. Your parents were married, and their parents were before them.

And you want to continue that legacy and follow the same principles. It’s precisely why you should be wary before marrying someone with opposing principles as you. Spouses with different belief systems and principles tend to clash and go against one another’s throats.

15. Your achievements feel empty

You’ve achieved what you want in life so far, money, a house, a fast car, and whatnot.

But all of these are material possessions that give happiness but don’t give meaning to your life. No matter how much money you have, even if you’re a successful millionaire, it’s not as fulfilling as finding someone to settle down with.

Knowing you have someone who loves you and unconditionally cares for you, waiting for you at home, will always give you more happiness than any material possessions surrounding you. Material objects can be replaced, but love simply cannot.

16. You have someone to call your own

The world is filled with billions of people. But when you’re single or still just dating someone, you’re just an individual living a lonely life with no one to call your own.

But when you get married, you have someone else who’ll share your life with you legally and have someone you truly can call your own.

And when you have someone who sees life through your eyes, your life will feel more meaningful and essential. It’s not just because you’re living together when you’re married, but it’s the feeling of unity.

17. Growing old with someone

This may not make much sense if you’re still young. But as you get older, you’d enjoy the pleasure of spending time with a special someone that you love more than anyone else in the whole world.

Just knowing that you have someone to take care of you, understand your preferences and your principles in life, and vice versa, can make you feel more satisfied in life and give more meaning to your existence.

18. You found your soulmate

Have you found the one who makes you feel more alive and happy? If you’ve met your true love and can’t wait to spend the rest of your lives together and grow old together, what better way to make a serious commitment than by proposing marriage?

Your soulmate feels like home and even on mundane days, you’re happy being around them doing nothing. They understand your soul on levels nobody else does, and this is one of the concrete reasons to get married.

19. Your parents

Marriage can help your parents feel more reassured about your future. Even though they may not voice it, getting married to the one you love is reassuring for both families because it makes them feel happier to know that you and your lover have found happiness in each other and would always be there for each other through thick and thin.

And let’s not forget the joy of playing with their grandkids. It’s a lifelong dream for your parents to see you settle down with someone who will genuinely take care of your heart.

Your parents might not say it out loud, but that wish for a happy marriage is usually there.

20. Meaning to life

Marriage can make you more focused in life. When you’re married to someone, you’re not just responsible for yourself. You’re accountable for your partner too. Together, both of you have created a new entity that breathes life as a couple.

Like a bigger, better job, marriage means more responsibilities, but it also gives you more satisfaction and meaning to your existence.

This is one of the healthy reasons to get married that makes this lifetime commitment the most fulfilling and purposeful experience in the world.

It’s also okay not to get married

If you are perched on the fence about walking down the aisle, know that it’s okay to not get married too. There are actually some very important reasons not to get married, just as many as there are reasons to get married!

Let’s check out the situations and reasons when you simply shouldn’t be walking down the aisle.

1. You don’t want to become a statistic

According to the American Psychology Association, “About 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce.” That isn’t a very great statistic.

There is a high chance that your parents are divorced or your partner’s parents are. There’s an even higher chance of you knowing multiple people who have been through a divorce.

Every one of these people will tell you that it’s no walk in the park, and that the overall experience is a traumatizing one. Why risk putting yourself through that, when you can happily live in sin with the one you love?

2. Protecting yourself legally is important to you

Another reason why it’s completely fine to never get married is to legally protect yourself. You know what they say about sharing everything when you’re married. Well, they’re absolutely right.

Everything from your hard-earned savings to the roof over your head to whether you should be taken off the ventilator involves your spouse.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to protect yourself through the best and worst of times, without having someone else there to contradict your every decision. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t retain your independence whilst being happily in love.

3. You’ve both talked about it and agree

Another reason why it’s completely fine to never get married is if your partner shares the same views as you. If your partner agrees that there’s no need for marriage, then good for you.

However, if you’re with someone who strongly believes in it, you are going to have to decide if you want to stick to your guns or make your partner happy.

The thing about loving someone is that you want them to be happy, even if it means major sacrifices on your part, so think long and hard about what you want, before doing anything rash.

4. You’re sure you can live a fulfilling life regardless

It’s fine to never get married, because deep down, even the biggest advocates for marriage know that you can lead a fulfilling life without tying the knot.

A piece of paper doesn’t and shouldn’t measure how much you care about your life partner, because at the end of the day, that’s all it is.

Couples who are married don’t love each other any more than couples who choose not to walk down the aisle. Always remember that being married is not a measure of how much you love each other, but how hard you are willing to stick together.

5. You have other plans

There’s more to life than being saddled down to convention. Plans to travel the world, start your own business, volunteer at a nonprofit, and the millions of other life goals out there are not to be scoffed at. Not everyone was made to be tied down to one person, one goal, and one future.

There is a whole world out there to be conquered, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to do that instead of getting married.

6. You want to explore other options

Life is full of choices, and the same applies to marriage. There are other options out there for those of you who don’t want to tie the knot.

Depending on where in the world you are, partaking in a civil union is a great alternative.

7. Your partner is narcissistic

Being with someone who cares more about themselves than you is going to end badly. If there is a little voice telling you that something is wrong, and they are too selfish, listen to it and run!

8. You sacrifice your own needs to make them happy and they don’t reciprocate

Marriage is about finding a partner, and that means finding someone who is your equal. If you feel like you give way more, it isn’t going to work.

You’ll always be the one who doesn’t get what they need, but your partner gets it all. Over time, you’ll struggle and you’ll start to feel resentful.

9. You carry the emotional weight of the relationship

Many people might not think about this being one of the reasons not to get married, but it’s very important.

Emotional maturity is just about the most important thing in any marriage. If you aren’t on the same level, it won’t lead to happy nuptials.

10. One of you isn’t ready

If only one of you wants to get married and is pushing for it, then it isn’t right *or the right time*. It is better to wait until you are BOTH rushing to the altar instead of one dragging the other kicking and screaming.

11. You don’t get along with their mother

When you marry someone, you marry their family. Mother-in-law issues can be one of the worst relationship-killers out there.

They’re very unlikely to turn their back on their mother, and neither should you want them to. If the problem cannot be solved, it’s not going to create a happy future.

12. You’re too young

If you’re young, that’s definitely one of the best reasons not to get married. Being older really does have its advantages. There is no rush if you love each other. So then what is the hurry?

13. You don’t have enough money or an established career

Sure, money isn’t everything, but it sure makes things a whole lot less stressful. Sometimes if you get married too early, you give up on your dreams or don’t achieve the things you want individually.

14. You or your partner is pregnant, and that’s only why you’re marrying

Just because you are pregnant does not mean that you have to get married. We aren’t living in the 1950s anymore, so there is no shame in having a baby with someone and not sharing the last name.

You should get married because of the desire to do so, not because you think you have to.

15. You think getting married is the natural progression of your relationship

If you are getting married because it is the next step, and not because you can’t imagine not spending your life as husband and wife, then you aren’t doing it for the right reasons.

Relationships evolve at different rates and levels. If you’re happy as you are, don’t push things until you feel a desire to do so.

16. You’re more like siblings

If you are best friends, that is awesome. But there also has to be some spark. You can’t live in a sexless marriage forever, no matter how much you tell yourself that you can.

17. You just don’t want them to leave

You can’t marry someone just because you are afraid they will leave you if you don’t. If their love is conditional and based on a ring, then it isn’t meant to be. And so if you’re feeling this way, it’s definitely not one of the reasons to get married.

18. You have to relocate

If you have to move away and don’t want to carry on a long distance relationship that is fine, but you don’t have to get married to move away together. Marriage should never be decided because something is pushing you into it.

19. You love them, but you aren’t sure if you’re IN love with them

If they are your friend, and you can’t imagine not being their friend anymore, that is way different from sharing a life forever. Being in love is key to a marriage, not just simply loving someone.

20. It seems like all you do is fight

If you fight right now, marriage is not the catalyst for change. Rather, it is the push for more of the same. A ring around your finger doesn’t make you disagree with them any less or get along any better.

21. There are a ton of little things that bother you

Those things that bother you when you are dating only get worse as time goes on. And don’t you agree that this is definitely one of the best reasons not to get married?

22. Your gut is telling you not to

That little voice is there for a reason. It is there to stop us from making mistakes. Listen to what it is saying because it is ALWAYS right, whether we want it to be or not.

23. You aren’t on the same emotional level

Of all the reasons not to get married, this is a really important one.

If you are highly sensitive, and they lack in empathy, that is going to cause a whole lot of trouble for you along the road. You need to be at least somewhere on the same level for things to work long-term.

24. You think they will change

If there is one thing that is for sure it’s that people don’t change, and you can’t change them. If you think that marriage will stop them from cheating or make them cherish you more, think again. Not only can you not change them, saying “I do” won’t either.

25. You’re scared of being alone

No one wants to be alone, but that is not a reason to marry someone. It is better to love yourself than to be with someone you don’t really love.

26. You can’t get past the physical attraction

If they just make you so hot you can’t get over it, but you don’t know about the rest of the communication or relationship, sorry to tell you this, but the sex thing gets a lot less attractive once you say your vows. You need far more than just sex to make a marriage work.

27. You think they’re the only one who “knows” you

Getting comfortable with someone is an excellent feeling, but if you think that they are the only one in the world who gets you, you need to get out more.

Make sure that you aren’t just putting all your hopes into one person who won’t ever live up to your expectations.

28. All your friends are getting married

No one wants to be an old spinster or an eternal bachelor, but this is DEFINITELY one of the best reasons not to get married. Everyone has a different path and events come at different times, or not at all.

29. Your biological clock is ticking

Don’t get married because you want to have kids and are afraid. It is better not to have kids *or adopt later* than to get married just because of expiration dates.

30. You haven’t met anyone better

But you might! If you aren’t getting married because they are the absolute love of your life, then don’t do it.

31. When they’re nice to you, it makes you feel like a superstar

If they make you feel good about yourself and that is why you love them, then you are marrying them for what they can do for you.

As time goes on and things get more complex, if they don’t make you shine, you won’t have much to back it up.

32. You don’t know how to say “no”

One of the hardest things to do is to hurt someone you love, but you can’t say “yes” and marry someone just because you don’t want to end up hurting their feelings.

You will hurt their feelings more in the long run if you can’t make it work because you got married for the wrong reasons.

33. Everyone expects you to

If you have been together for eight years and everyone expects you to get married, that is a bad idea. The only expectations that you should be worried about are your own.

34. You already said “yes”

Even if you said yes, but are now having second thoughts, you can’t go through with the marriage only because you feel as if you made a promise. It is never too late to change your mind, and you have every right to do so.

35. Because you want a dream wedding day

The reality is, the wedding is just a single day. Your marriage is for the rest of your life. When you’re ready, you can have both.

It’s OK to hold on to those dream wedding plans–just keep them to yourself until the time comes to share them with someone special.

36. You just want the gifts

It sounds amazing that anyone would tie the knot just to get presents, but it happens. Unfortunately, this reason alone isn’t enough to get hitched.

You’ll spend more money on the wedding than you would just buying the gifts yourself. Plus, getting divorced once the gifts are all unwrapped and the two of you find out you’re not a good match is expensive, too, and not as much fun.

37. You’re feeling lonely

Many people have a hard time being alone. As you get older, it may seem like someone in your life is your “last chance,” and they may start to look like good marriage material.

Hold off on tying the knot if the person you’re marrying isn’t the love of your life. Settling for anything less may mean you miss out on that truly amazing special someone down the road.

38. Your ex is getting married

There’s nothing more satisfying than letting an ex know you’ve found someone better and have moved on. However, when the shoe is on the other foot and your ex has announced their nuptials, it can seem like you’ve been punched in the gut.

Spite is never a good reason to get married–and besides, there are many other great ways to let your ex know you’re the one who got away.

So, what are the reasons to get married?

When you’re ready, you’re ready. It’s as simple as that. These reasons to get married may not make sense to you if you’ve made up your mind to stay single.

Of course, it’s very obvious that there are more on the list of reasons not to get married than to actually go for it. That should tell you just how big a deal it really is.

But if you can give these reasons to get married a serious thought with an open mind, you’ll understand just how meaningful and satisfying a happy marriage can really be. If you’re both ready and you’re sure about one another, why not get married?

Check HERE on How To Be Irresistable!