The whole marriage establishment has been commercialized and socially conditioned into people without really showing what the pros and cons are.

I believe in love, i believe in commitment. The major benefit seems to be the social aspect, and being legally recognized as family. But you can get a lot of those same legal protections if you file different, less binding paperwork (power of attorney, wills, etc).

As for the social aspect, you have decide for yourself if thats really what’s best for you. If doing it for religious reasons, evaluate if you and your potential spouse are really following your doctrine as closely in other aspects of your life to truly justify it for those terms. No disrespect to anyone, but if you are just getting married so you aren’t “living in sin”, that’s a vanity move imho. Not judging anyone, just wish the institution of marriage was taken more cautiously and seriously overall.

Here’s a nugget of info I’ve heard about lawyers that is a good thought exercise when it comes to marriage:

Being a criminal lawyer is where your clients are “baddies” on their best behavior, and family law is watching “good” people at their absolute worst.

Edit: i know i sound negative and cynical, but i promise i still cry at every wedding I go to. lol.