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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask your honest feelings about marriage

133 replies

Lilacsilk · 20/03/2025 20:18

I have been engaged for two years and am definitely kicking the can down the road here, I think I know deep down that I don’t want to get married. Thinking about it makes me claustrophobic, despite my partner being a good guy, we have our downs but don’t we all. I vehemently don’t believe in changing my name (I know this isn’t necessary but it’s the “norm”), I am indecently pretty wealthy due to inheritance and my partner is not. Whenever I think about it, I almost feel uncomfortable. It seems to me not a proclamation of love but a dated business transaction, one in which there is zero benefit to me as the wealthy party. I have read so much about people trapped in miserable marriages, and hate the idea of this ever happening to me. I want to hear if other people have ever had apprehensions and gone ahead with it, how that worked out, or any wise words really.

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Thirteenblackcat · 20/03/2025 20:26

I earn more than my husband and wish I hadn’t got married.

Nichebitch · 20/03/2025 20:25

If you don’t feel the need, don’t do it. I had many relationships but only felt the need to marry when I met my current partner - at 40!

Mooselooseinmyhoose · 20/03/2025 20:24

As someone who was the wealthier of the two I would never recommend marriage! My ex husband cheated a lot. He had never paid a penny of the mortgage on my house but of course the law is a starting point of 50/50 so when i was finally free of the emotional abuse and got out.. he got half the equity in my house and half of everything.

I would have been mortgage free at 50. I'll now be paying it off til 70. I'm constantly broke.

I would never marry again.

But equally.. I wish there was a declaration of love that was seen as valid because I miss being a wife and having that role in my family and society.

I guess if you're with someone who earns similar to you with similar assets there are fewer risks. I was burned hard emotionally and financially.

Mum2jenny · 20/03/2025 20:23

I’d never get married again. I’m in a currently good married relationship but I’d not do it again.

outerspacepotato · 20/03/2025 20:21

I had a very happy marriage but I wouldn't do it again.

I get the claustrophobic feeling. We used to joke that our perfect setup would be being next door neighbors. Both of us needed space so we were compatible that way.

Wakemeupbe4yougogo · 20/03/2025 20:20

I got married to give our children security. Without them, I wouldn't have bothered in truth. With independent wealth, there's no way in hell I'd risk someone grabbing half.

AtrociousCircumstance · 20/03/2025 20:20

Sounds like you don’t want to get married, so don’t.

You could always get a prenup drawn up if it’s purely that preventing you feeling comfortable.

What does he say - is he super keen to start planning the wedding? Maybe it’s ok to just have a ‘commitment ring’ and leave it at that.

Lilacsilk · 20/03/2025 20:20

That should say independently, not indecently.

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