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It's not something you believe in -

Some people consider marriage little more than a piece of paper, while others think it's the only way to truly commit. Both opinions are legitimate.

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You don't feel like you need to prove your love -

Aside from joining your life with another person, weddings also serve to show everyone how much you love each other. But some people don't see the need and are fine just being committed without the social display of their love.

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You want to save money -

The truth is, weddings are expensive. Therefore, it's not crazy to not want to spend your entire life's savings on one day.

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You've never wanted to get married -

While some people grow up dreaming of their perfect wedding, that's not the case for everyone. You can still enjoy being in a relationship without the "I do's."

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You disagree with the definition of marriage -

Some people feel that, historically, marriage has been a way for society to repress certain groups, such as women and the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, they don't want to partake in it.

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You don't want to change your surname -

Traditionally, marriage means sharing the same last name. Even if that's changed in recent years, the potential bureaucratic headaches in the future can put you off.

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You don't want to be the center of attention -

At weddings, all eyes are you. While some people thrive on being the center of attention, others would rather crawl in a hole.

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You'd rather spend your money on travel -

Some couples decide to save up and spend it all on their wedding. However, there's no reason to feel like you need to splurge on a photographer and DJ if you'd actually rather backpack around the world.

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You're unsure about the other person -

Just because you've been together for a while doesn't mean you need to get married. You can still be unsure about spending the rest of your life with that person. Don't rush to the altar.

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You've witnessed the drawbacks to marriage -

If you're familiar with divorce, you know how much it can impact and devastate a family. So it's not uncommon to want to avoid getting married.

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You don't want the stress -

Both the planning and the actual wedding can be pretty stressful. If you don't handle pressure well, then a wedding might not be for you.

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You like things as they are -

If you're happy and the relationship works, why make a big move to get married? You don't need to complicate things by adding legal repercussions and a ceremony that validates it in the eyes of others.

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You don't have a real reason for wanting to get married -

Most people get married because they want to legalize their love for their partner. However, if you don't have a reason for wanting to tie the knot, don't feel like you have to.

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The two of you are always fighting -

Of course, some fighting is normal. But if you're fighting non-stop and are never able to see anything eye to eye, then getting married might not be a great option.

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You don't like your partner's family -

Getting married means becoming family with their family too. If you feel like it's going to cause you more unhappiness, forget the paperwork and skip the drama.

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You strive for personal freedom -

When you get married, you're legally locked down to someone else. If you want to keep your total freedom, marriage might not be the best fit for you.

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You have trust issues -

If trust is something you've lost in the past due to a partner betraying you, it can be really hard to find it again in the future. If it's making you second guess going through a wedding, don't do it just yet.

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You're not really traditional -

Some people are incredibly traditional, and weddings are often part of that. If you don't feel like you share those same traditional values, maybe a wedding isn't something for you.

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You love your independence -

If you're someone who loves taking care of yourself (and being by yourself), and don't want anyone else to do that for you, why get married?

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You don't want to burden other people -

It's not only the couple who take a financial hit from their wedding. Just think about the parents of the couple chipping in, bridesmaids buying pricey dresses, and expensive travel costs and gifts. It's understandable if you don't want to financially burden yourself and other people.

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Your relationship is unstable -

Before you decide to hit the altar, be sure to evaluate your own relationship. If it's constantly full of ups and downs and never feels stable, getting married is probably not the wisest thing to do.

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You don't like the idea of being a spouse -

If you don't like the title of "wife" or "husband," and you would rather just stay how you are, it's probably a sign you shouldn't walk down the aisle.

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You don't want to build up any more debt -

If you're planning on a big ceremony, it'll put you back a lot. This is why some people decide to avoid it altogether, so they don't go even further into debt.

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Maturity levels are different -

If one of you is taking the idea of a wedding much more seriously than the other, then you probably shouldn't go through with it. Both of you need to be equally on board.

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You're only following the steps -

If you're just following societal expectations, without any joy, then don't hit the altar. Do it only if you really want to take that next step.

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Your partner annoys you constantly -

A little annoyance is understandable. But if everything they do seems to bother you, then that's a clear sign you shouldn't get married to each other.

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Compromising isn't your thing -

Some people are stuck in their ways and don't want to adjust their lifestyles. But in a strong marriage, both need to create room for each other's needs and wishes.

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One of you wants children, but the other doesn't -

Knowing if you both want kids and how to raise them is super important. However, many couples avoid the subject or believe that they're both on the same page without confirming. Before legally binding yourself to someone, make sure you're on the same page!

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You don't believe in needing another half -

Society lives by a mentality that everyone has an "other half," and you're not totally complete without them. However, if you feel totally fulfilled on your own, keep doing you.

Sources: (Allure) (Insider) (Marriage.com)

See also: Understanding the different stages of relationships

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