Getting married is something a lot of us think about. Some people jump into it full of love, while others have their mind on things that make daily life easier. And let’s be honest, having a permanent plus-one for parties and events is a nice perk!
But marriage is about more than just the fun stuff. It means building a life together, through thick and thin. And those wedding rings? They sometimes come with benefits that aren’t all about romance.
Curious about why people choose to get married? Keep reading. Let’s talk about all the reasons, from the heartfelt to the practical, that drive couples to say, “I do.”
Table of Contents
- To Express Love and Commitment
- To Form a Lifelong Partnership
- To Start and Raise a Family
- For Emotional Support and Comfort
- To Make a Public Commitment
- For Stability in Raising Children
- To Ensure Long-term Commitment
- To Build and Grow Together
- To Share Life’s Joys and Challenges
- For Companionship as They Age
- To Support Each Other’s Dreams
- To Experience a Sense of Security
- To Legally Recognize Their Relationship
- For Legal Rights and Protections
- For Health and Insurance Benefits
- To Pursue Financial Stability
- For Tax Benefits
- For Social and Community Belonging
- To Bring Two Families Together
- To Continue Family Traditions
- For Religious or Spiritual Reasons
- As an Act of Ultimate Trust
- To Celebrate a Milestone
- To Formalize a Long-term Relationship
- To Gain Social Acceptance
- More Takeaways From the Experts
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
To Express Love and Commitment
Getting married is a way people show that they’re in it for the long haul. It’s like saying to the world, “I’ve found my person, and we’re serious about this.”
When you’re in love, you want everyone to know. A wedding can be a big, fun party where you tell your best friend you’re with them for life. It’s about making that promise to stick around, no matter what.
Example: Think of a couple having a big bash to say, “We’re a team now.” They’re excited to face whatever comes next, together.
To Form a Lifelong Partnership
Marriage means you’ve got a partner for every part of life. It’s about being each other’s best friend and helping hand.
You’ll have someone to split the chores with, save money with, and plan your future with. It’s a promise to face the happy times and the challenges as a team. In marriage, you work together and share everything, including the remote control!
To Start and Raise a Family
Many people marry because they want to raise kids in a stable, loving home. Being married means you can support each other in the ups and downs of parenting.
Kids can be a handful, but raising them together can make your relationship stronger. You get to teach them and watch them grow, which is pretty special. Married couples often want to give their children that sense of family and home.
"Many people get married because they feel complete and they want to share the love with a partner and perhaps with children. They know that to have a happy marriage is to share the love — not the getting of love."
— Dr. Margaret Paul | Psychologist | Author | Relationship Expert | Co-creator, Inner Bonding
For Emotional Support and Comfort
When you marry someone, you get a partner who listens to you and supports you no matter what. Having a spouse can make difficult times less overwhelming.
It’s comforting to know there’s someone who will always be there for you. You have someone to talk to about your worries and someone to share your happy moments with. Your spouse becomes a source of comfort, which is a big deal.
To Make a Public Commitment
Getting married is a way to tell everyone that you’ve decided to be with your partner forever. It’s a public statement of your commitment.
Your wedding is an occasion where you declare your dedication to each other in front of friends and family:
- Telling people about your commitment makes it more real.
- Saying your vows in front of others can strengthen your promise.
- Remembering your wedding day can help you stick together through hard times.
"Some people choose to tie the knot because they believe that it is the ultimate form of commitment between couples."
— Celia Schweyer | Dating Expert, Dating Scout
For Stability in Raising Children
Children thrive in homes where they know what to expect. Being married parents can create the consistency kids need.
Married parents can work together to create a stable environment for their children. It’s about establishing regular routines and rules that provide a dependable framework for kids.
To Ensure Long-term Commitment
Marriage is a pledge to stick together for the long haul. It shows you’re both ready to work through whatever the years may bring.
By getting married, you tell your partner you’re there for the long run, not just for the easy times. This commitment is about making future plans with confidence. It’s saying your relationship is serious and meant to last.
Example: A couple marries and begins to sketch out their dreams together, like travels, a home, or a family. They promise to support each other through every step.
To Build and Grow Together
When you marry someone, you sign up to learn and develop with them. It’s about:
- Facing life’s lessons together.
- Celebrating the wins.
- Learning from the losses.
Every decision and action you take contributes to a shared life you’re building. Marriage is the commitment to face life’s opportunities for growth as one. Together, you work towards mutual goals and achievements.
"One cannot simply fully function fully without the help of the other as they complete each other’s shortcomings. Some partners just know that they will reach their maximum potential when they decide to live their lives together."
— Celia Schweyer | Dating Expert, Dating Scout
Being married means you have someone to share all the good and the tough times with. Whether you’re throwing a birthday party or dealing with a flat tire, you’ve got someone by your side.
It helps to have a partner during moments of joy and periods of difficulty. This partnership is about experiencing all aspects of life with support and companionship. You’re never alone in your experiences.
For Companionship as They Age
Growing old isn’t something you have to do alone if you’re married. Having a spouse means having someone with you as you both go through the different stages of life. It’s comforting to know that as you age, you’ll have company.
Marriage is a way to make sure you have a partner for those later years, someone to reminisce with and to create new memories.
To Support Each Other’s Dreams
We all have dreams, and having a spouse can mean having your biggest fan and supporter. When one person wants to go back to school or start a new business, having a partner provides that emotional push and practical help.
What it looks like:
- Discussing goals and how to achieve them together.
- Celebrating when one partner reaches a milestone.
- Taking on extra chores when one partner needs more time to focus on their goals.
To Experience a Sense of Security
There’s a certain peace that comes with knowing you have someone by your side. Marriage can be a safe haven where you feel protected, both physically and emotionally. This bond gives you the sense that you can tackle life’s hurdles with a reliable partner.
It’s not just about feeling safe in your house but also in your relationship. You’ll have someone to turn to when the world seems a bit daunting.
Example: When one partner feels worried about a job interview, the other is there, offering comfort and support. They feel ready to take on whatever comes their way as long as they have each other.
To Legally Recognize Their Relationship
Couples often get married to make their relationship official in the eyes of the law. It’s about having a documented way to say, “We are a team.” This legal stamp on a relationship can open doors that might otherwise be closed.
Things like owning property together or even certain social acknowledgments often come easier with a marriage certificate. It’s like upgrading from an unwritten understanding to a signed and sealed partnership.
For Legal Rights and Protections
When two people tie the knot, they get certain legal benefits and protections that aren’t available to those who aren’t married. It’s sort of a safety net for both spouses, covering a range of areas from property rights to decision-making powers if one gets sick.
For instance, one spouse is in the hospital, and the other can make healthcare decisions because they’re married. They’ve got the law on their side, ensuring they can take care of each other.
"Marriage can provide some legal advantages that cohabitating partners don’t get to have. Of course, these perks aren’t supposed to be the only major driving force when it comes to deciding to tie the knot. However, there are some people that take these advantages into consideration as well."
— Celia Schweyer | Dating Expert, Dating Scout
For Health and Insurance Benefits
Marriage often brings with it the perk of shared health insurance and benefits. Many couples tie the knot to take advantage of better health insurance options or lower costs.
It’s not the most romantic reason, but it’s practical and can be a big help when healthcare bills come around.
This kind of practical support is a big part of the “in sickness and in health” deal. Good health insurance means one less thing to worry about in the grand scheme of things.
To Pursue Financial Stability
When you team up on finances, you can often manage money better than you did alone. You work together to:
- Save for the future.
- Cover each other during hard times.
- Maybe even reach those big dreams like buying a house.
Pooling your resources can mean you’re stronger together than you are separately. Sharing your financial highs and lows can make it all feel more manageable.
For Tax Benefits
Let’s face it: no one loves tax season, but being married can sometimes make it a bit better. Married couples often get to enjoy benefits which can lead to saving some cash. These savings can add up and go toward other important things in your shared life.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Joint tax returns can lower your tax bill.
- Tax benefits can contribute to other family goals or needs.
- The extra money saved can be put toward a special treat for the two of you.
To Share Wealth or Properties
Marrying someone often means you’re ready to mix what you own with what they own. Whether it’s the cash in your bank accounts or a piece of land, it’s about saying, “What’s mine is ours.”
In marriage, your assets become shared, and you both work to increase them as a team. Sharing your wealth and properties shows a deep level of trust and togetherness.
For Social and Community Belonging
Getting married can be a way to feel more connected to the society around you. For many, it’s about being part of a recognized union that friends, neighbors, and colleagues understand and respect.
Marriage can change how you’re seen in your community, often making you and your partner feel more included. It’s nice to be known as a family unit at social gatherings and be part of the married crowd.
"In decades past, a man who was 40 and unmarried was considered either to be playing for the other team or a rascal. Although the divorce rate skyrocketed in the 1970s, many men still think marriage lasts for a lifetime — because it used to for our parents and grandparents, our models."
— Dr. Jonathan Farley | Former Visiting Professor of Mathematics at Caltech | Former Science Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation | Former Visiting Scholar in the Department of Mathematics at Harvard University
To Bring Two Families Together
Marriage is not just about two people; it’s about two families coming together. It’s a chance to strengthen bonds between relatives and create a bigger, extended family.
This unification can lead to new traditions, more family gatherings, and a larger support network. The wedding itself becomes a landmark event where two family trees intertwine.
To Continue Family Traditions
Many individuals choose to get married to continue cherished family traditions. Marriage allows for these traditions to be preserved and passed on to the next generation, keeping a sense of heritage alive.
What it looks like:
- Having annual family reunions.
- Passing down ceremonies or rituals specific to the family’s culture.
- Teaching children about their heritage and family history.
For Religious or Spiritual Reasons
Many couples get married because their faith or spiritual beliefs hold marriage as an important step. It’s a way to show their commitment in the context of their religious community.
This can bring a deeper purpose and a shared set of values to their relationship.
It also often connects them with a community that shares their beliefs. For them, marriage might be more than just a legal contract; it’s part of fulfilling their spiritual path.
As an Act of Ultimate Trust
Marriage is one of the biggest signs of trust you can give someone. It says you believe in your partner enough to share your life with them.
You’re entrusting your future, your dreams, and often your heart in their hands. This trust forms a strong base for the relationship. It’s kind of like saying, “I trust you with everything I’ve got.”
To Celebrate a Milestone
Getting married can mark a significant point in a couple’s life together. It’s a memorable moment that sets the stage for their shared future.
When a couple has been together for a while, they might decide to marry as a way of commemorating love that has matured and deepened over time. Also, it can be a really festive way to say, “Hey, we’ve come this far. Let’s keep this great thing going!”
Example: They’ve hit the ten-year mark and choose to marry as a way to honor their time together. It feels like a big win, and they want to celebrate that.
To Formalize a Long-term Relationship
Sometimes, couples who’ve been together for ages want to make it ‘official’ through marriage. It’s like saying, “Okay, we’re really serious about this.”
Marriage can be like putting a stamp of formality on a relationship that everyone already sees as rock solid. It’s another way to say to the world that this isn’t just a temporary thing.
For instance, they’ve shared a home and life for years, and now they’re ready to be called husband and wife. They’re happy to finally say, “We’re married.”
To Gain Social Acceptance
In some places or cultures, being married is seen as the norm, and some people can feel left out if they’re not.
For some, it’s like an important step that they’re expected to take. And it definitely can save you from answering when your nosy aunt asks, “So, when are you two getting married?”
Example: You decide to get married, and suddenly, you’re both invited to the couples’ game nights. It’s like they’ve been given a membership card to a new club.
"In many families, if you’re not married once that thirtieth birthday rolls, the pressure to marry may accelerate. This can especially be the case for only children whose parents wish to be grandparents."
— Gabrielle Hartley, Esq. | Divorce Mediator | Consultant | Transformative Wellness Coach | Author, Better Apart: The Radically Positive Way to Separate
Out of a Sense of Duty
Sometimes, people get married because they feel that’s what they should do. They might want to make their family happy or follow certain traditions.
It’s not always about hearts and flowers but more like ticking a box they believe needs to be ticked. They’re doing what they think is right. And who knows, it might turn out to be the best decision they’ve ever made.
For instance, she gets married to honor her grandparents’ wishes. It’s important to her to respect the family traditions they hold dear.
More Takeaways From the Experts
“People may marry for money for status, but often there’s an underlying need for security, stability, or comfort that is assumed to come with deep pockets. There’s also the ongoing belief that money can buy happiness.”
— Gabrielle Hartley, Esq. | Divorce Mediator | Consultant | Transformative Wellness Coach | Author, Better Apart: The Radically Positive Way to Separate
“Many people get married because they are looking for someone to love them and complete them. They believe another’s love will give them the self-worth and sense of security they are looking for, or that having children will give them a sense of purpose.”
— Dr. Margaret Paul | Psychologist | Author | Relationship Expert | Co-creator, Inner Bonding
“Some think that they need to be together because they have a child together. They think that a child should grow up with a complete family set-up. However, it’s not all the time that the relationship would work. But this is one of the reasons why some people decide to marry. They have responsibilities that compel them to stick together and become a team.”
— Celia Schweyer | Dating Expert, Dating Scout
“This may be a big reason why many people get married. Most women know that the questions pile on once you are out of your twenties, ‘Are you dating? When will you get married? Do you want children?’. Questions like this can get exhausting, especially if they are coming from your family and people you interact with on a daily basis.”
— Adina Mahalli | Certified Mental Health Expert | Family Care Professional, Maple Holistics
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to have a wedding to be married?
Not necessarily. A wedding is a ceremony to celebrate your marriage, but you can be legally married without having a big wedding. It really depends on what you and your partner want.
Can marriage change your relationship?
Marriage can change things because it’s a commitment for the future. Some people find it strengthens their relationship, while others might find it brings new challenges.
Why do some people wait a long time before getting married?
Some people wait because they want to be really sure they’re making the right choice. They might want to work on their relationship, achieve personal goals, or become more financially stable before marrying.
Do all cultures view marriage the same way?
No, different cultures have different views on marriage. What’s important in one culture might not be in another. That’s why you’ll find many different reasons for marriage around the world.
What if my partner and I have different reasons for wanting to get married?
That’s pretty common. What’s important is talking about it and understanding each other’s reasons. If you both respect and support those reasons, you’re already on the right track.
Final Thoughts
I’ve shared about love, commitment, partnership, and all the other big reasons why people get married. But here’s the thing: at the end of the day, the reason you choose to get married is up to you.
I’ve seen couples get married for all kinds of reasons. There’s not just one way for a marriage to work. It mixes feelings with the real stuff that comes up every day. It’s about two people looking forward and saying, “Let’s do this together.”
So, whether you’re getting married to celebrate your love, to build a future together, or to start a family, just remember: marriage is a beautiful thing. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it when you’ve found the right person to share the journey with.
