How to Know If You'll Ever Get Married?

Bride putting ring on groom's finger. Rings exchange. Happy couple celebrating wedding outdoors in summer.

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"Will I ever get married?" is a question that people often ponder. Asking this question might be a sign that you are interested in making a long-term commitment to another person. Marriage is a big step in anyone's life, and it can be scary to think about making that commitment. However, marriage can also be a very rewarding experience.

There is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not you will get married because it is entirely up to you. Some people know from a young age that they want to get married, while others rarely think about it.

Whether or not you get married depends on a lot of different factors, including your personal preferences, your relationship status, and how much effort you are willing to devote to dating and looking for a potential partner.

This article discusses some of the signs that suggest you might get married and some of the reasons why you might want to consider taking this step. If you are interested in getting married, this article also covers some things you can do to increase your chances of finding someone special.

Will I Ever Get Married?

Even if you aren't quite ready to say "I do" to anyone, there are some signs that can indicate that marriage might be part of your future. Signs that you are thinking about marriage or may be ready to take that step in the future:

  • You already have a partner and feel like you are ready to make a commitment
  • You want children and a committed partner to raise them with
  • You spend time daydreaming about being married
  • You are taking steps now to prepare for a future marriage such as saving money, eliminating debts, or purchasing a house
  • You evaluate potential love interests based on whether they might be marriage material

If any of these things ring true for you, then it might be time to start thinking about marriage. Of course, there is no guarantee that getting married will make you happier, but it may have benefits that you might want to consider.

If you are not quite ready for marriage, don't worry–there's no rush. The important thing is that you are happy, whether you are already in a relationship, actively looking, or enjoying being single

Marriage isn't for everyone, and there's no shame in deciding that it's not right for you. Be sure to keep an open mind, just in case the idea of marriage starts to appeal to you down the road.

According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, a record number of U.S. adults are currently single. In 2023, nearly 50% of American adults (117.6 million people) were either never married, widowed, or divorced.

How Likely Are You to Get Married?

Is there any way to know how likely you are to get married in the future? There is no one answer to this question–it all depends on your personal circumstances. However, here are some things to consider:

  • Your age might play a role in how soon you'll get married. The average age for a first marriage in the United States is 28 for women and 30 for men.
  • Another factor that may influence a person's intentions to marry (as well as whether or not they eventually do marry) includes a person's attitudes about marriage.
  • How much control people think they have over the decision to marry can also factor into whether they commit to a marriage.

There is no guarantee that you will get married, but assessing your own feelings about what marriage might bring to your life is a good place to start. Some evidence suggests that doing so may have a positive impact on your overall quality of life. If you're on the fence about marriage, it might be worth considering the effect that it might have.

Recap

Factors that might influence how likely you are to get married include your age, relationship history, and attitudes toward marriage play important roles in whether a person eventually marries.

Reasons You Might Consider Getting Married

There are some benefits to committing yourself to marriage. Companionship and support are important for mental well-being, so partnering with another person can be a great way to develop a lasting, dependable connection.

Some other reasons why marriage might be an option to consider:

  • You fall in love
  • You want to share your life with someone
  • You are looking for financial stability
  • You want to have children and want a partner to help you raise them
  • You want to honor your religious beliefs and traditions
  • You want to share the responsibilities of managing a household and property
  • You want the legal benefits of marriage, such as health insurance, inheritance, and tax breaks

Married people are more likely to be happy and satisfied with their lives than those who are single. People who are married are also more likely to have better mental and physical health.

Of course, there are also some drawbacks to getting married. Planning a wedding can be stressful and expensive. Once you commit, you will be sacrificing some personal freedom and autonomy you had as a single person. And marriage can be hard work, and it's not always easy to make a relationship last.

If you are considering marriage, be sure that you are ready for the challenge. Think about the pros and cons and how these different scenarios may impact your life.

Tips For Finding The Right Partner

If you think that marriage might be in your future, it can be helpful to explore strategies that will improve your chances of marrying, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of finding someone special. Here are a few tips:

  • Make sure you are ready to get married. Don't get married just because you feel like you should. Marriage is a big commitment, so be sure that you are ready for the challenge. Don’t feel pressured to jump into a commitment just because it seems to be what all of your friends are doing.
  • Get out there and date. If you’ve decided that marriage is something that you want, it is important to put yourself out there and actively look for a partner. If meeting in face-to-face settings is challenging for you, consider trying a dating app to help with your search.
  • Be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not in order to impress potential partners. Being authentic is more likely to lead to meeting a person who is right for you.
  • Be open-minded. Just because marriage isn't right for you now doesn't mean it won't be later on down the road. Keep your options open and don't rule anything out.

These are just a few tips to get you started. If you want to find the right partner for marriage, it's important to be proactive. The more effort you put in, the better your chances of finding what you're looking for.

Marriage is a big decision, but with the right partner, it can be a rewarding experience that brings companionship and love into your life.

A Word From Verywell

Whether you are actively looking for a lifetime partner or thinking about a more distant future, it is normal to wonder whether you’ll ever find someone you want to commit to for the long term. There are a wide variety of factors that can influence whether you'll marry, including your age, attitudes, and relationship history. 

If marriage is something that you want, then there is a strong chance that you can make that happen. It is important to remember that finding a partner isn’t a passive process. A coincidental “meet cute” might be the stuff that romantic comedies are made of, but real-world romance that lasts often takes work and purposeful effort. 

2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. U.S. Census Bureau. Unmarried and single Americans week: September 17-23, 2023.

  2. Mikucka M. The life satisfaction advantage of being married and gender specialization: The life satisfaction advantage of being married. Fam Relat. 2016;78(3):759-779. doi:10.1111/jomf.12290

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd
Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."