Parents think I am too young?

Your parents do have some insight into your maturity level and emotional readiness that we on the internet just don't have. Being this concerned about whether or not your parents approve also signals to me a bit of immaturity.

I would hear them out. Ask them what their concerns are specifically and address them. I think that would go a long way to ease their minds.

ETF spelling.

I agree with CK and Ninjaa.

Unless she explicitely said she's moving the wedding date closer to have sex, there was no reason for that list of things she's not willing to do for religious reasons (and which is okay).

My best advice is, OP, keep trucking on and moving with it. They might not warm up to the idea at first, but I promise if you guys handle yourselves and stick with it, they will come around.

Being this concerned about whether or not your parents approve also signals to me a bit of immaturity."

What? Of course in the best scenario, I want my parents to be behind my relationship and decisions. How is this in any ways a sign of immaturity? It means that she recognizes her parent's opinions and respects them, even if they differ from her own. That's pretty mature imo.

Just my opinion. I knew myself that I was ready to get married, so if my parents didn't approve I wouldn't have been too concerned about it.

That doesn't have anything to do with if you're ready to matter or not. Wanting your family to get along with your future husband =/= immaturity.

No but seeking your parent's approval does.

ETA: All I'm saying is, they might have a point and she should hear them out. They know her better than we do.

My only comment , is that i have changed ALOT since i was 22. I was still with FH when i was 22 and now am 30. If you think you two can grow and change together than you should be fine. my situation its good we waited and were 100% sure.

I think age of marriage is all about the couple and their maturity. I know couples who married at 18 and are still happily married 6 years later. I also know couples that married at 18 and divorced within the first few years.

I know I am not the same person as I was at 18 and I am also not the same person I was at 23 (I am currently 26). Had I personally married at 18 I couldn't see it working out. Had I been married at 23 I would have been more mature to make things work. It's all about you and your FH.

Your parents are only concerned about your well being. They want to make sure you are ready for that kind of commitment. It is very easy to get married but it can be a messy process getting a divorce. Explain things to them as OGRandi said and I am sure they will come around to your decision.

We also got married pretty young. My parents do not think we are too young, but DH's parents did. He spoke to them about it, and it turned out that they just wanted him to be more secure (house, good job, etc), but weren't worried about his maturity level.

I'd ask your parents what they are worried about, and try to put them at ease.

Everyone pretty much nailed it perfectly.

I was 22 when I met FH. I knew I was going to marry him within months of that. I will be 27 when I do marry him, but still. What stopped us was the fact that we were living with roommates, I was still in college, and I didn't have the best job in the world. I wanted those things done before I got married. But that's just me. Nobody has to have the same priorities.

If you guys are relying on your parents to get through life, I'd say wait until you are on your feet to get married. I'd say that for any age (because let's get real, there are 35+ year old people that still are on the teet of their parents). But if you guys are able to do that, why not? Unless that's what your parents mean about establishing yourself.

My only concern is you in graduate school and trying to plan a wedding as you try to graduate. That's a heck of a lot on your plate. Nothing to do with maturity or your age, just..that's a lot for anybody. If you wanted to listen to any advice, I'd say focus on graduating before having a wedding.

I don't think you are too young, I don't think there is a too young. I am 30 and my FH is 34 so we are established but I don't think it's necessary. My close friend turned 24 yesterday and has been happily married for 3 years this past May. It is your decision and you can discuss it with your parents if you wish about why you are choosing to get married and why you want to do it now. I think you are being responsible in waiting to finish school. I always consider my parents opinions but I do what is best for me in the end. Everyone is different and if you are mature enough to get married you are mature enough to have that conversation with your parents. I recommend you each have the conversation separately with your own parents if both sets of parents are of this opinion.

While I'm not sure OP is necessarily seeking her parents' approval, I do agree with Staci. I knew I was ready to get married when I stopped caring about what my parents though. When you get married, the most important relationship is between you and your spouse. Decisions should be made between you and your spouse. It doesn't mean you won't seek outside advice, but seeking others' approval shouldn't really happen at that point.

One point no one has brought up is that it's sort of immature in and of itself to seek advice as to whether or not you're too young to get married on the Internet. OP, I really hope you take all of this advice with a grain of salt. I've said it before and I'll say it again: no one on here knows you well enough to know whether or not you're truly mature enough for marriage. Your parents know you better than anyone else. I'd encourage you to hear them out.

Everyone will always have an opinion, and honestly the only perspective and viewpoint that matters is YOURS and HIS! Of course listen to your parents, as they play an important role in your lives (I hope). Plus, taking in consideration your parents reasons wouldn't hurt anyone, listen but that doesn't mean you have to follow (they are more experienced, and have been living life longer than us). As many already stated, plan, budget and COMMUNICATE! Everyone has a different journey, and what may work for others doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you. Vice-versa, what may work for you doesn't mean it will work for others. Much luck to you both!

Seems like everyone has pretty much covered the bases. So I'll just leave this:

Say this to your parents:

My parents married at 19 and 22 and had their first child the same year (whoops). They have been happily married for 29 years---30 years next January. So everyone who thinks marriage is only for people of a certain age, bite me!

I would genuinely like to thank everyone for input.

That being said, I had no idea this thread would generate 109 responses or so much heat! Somehow I have moved from one to three stars from this post alone...

I think at this point there is too much lost within the six pages to make anymore updated opinions relevant. There has been a lot of questions directed towards me or others but at this point I have lost track. It has been great getting to meet some fellow brides though.

I would like to say one thing. The point of this point was not asking if I was too young to get married (but that is what it has somehow shape shifted to). The point was how to communicate my intention to my parents. Thanks for the investment though! I did think of some interesting thinking points from this post.

Thanks for all the input. I think this thread can die off now. What an initiation to the forum! Whew!

I met my fh when I turned 22 we got "engaged" 2.5 months after we met. We moved in together my mom said we were moving way to fast. I just told her when you know you know. And now I'm 24 fh is 33 and my mom says he's the best thing to ever happen to me.

Both me and my fiance met young, and we are young, and when we get married we will be young. I was nervous as to whether or not my mom would be down for it. But she ended up being fine.

The hardest thing is telling people your engaged. The next question they ask is your age. Most people have the guts to go into a thirty minute long conversation as to why I shouldn't get married.

No one knows your relationship. And you have to try to look past everyones judgement. As long as your have the support of your FH you can be happy

EDIT: Sorry I just saw your comment about letting it die down!

Why is this back? People please don't resurrect old threads. Let them die in peace. ETA peace not piece. Posting before coffee doesn't work well

The weirdest part of people reviving old ass threads is people that claim that it was at the top of their front page. LIES.