why are you getting married / have married?

I think you already know what they are. Marriage before children and wanting the security of the religious / emotional / legal commitment are pretty much the best reasons, after love.

It's not just because you love him. A marriage is a life long relationship between two people and as well as a legal bond. The ceremony is when you publicly display and proclaim that bond and exchange vows. I love ice cream, but not marrying it!

I think what makes me most curious is why she is asking that. It seems like there is a reason behind it that is almost more important than the why. Have you thought to ask her?

For me my reasons include not just that I love him, but that we are just better people together. We have made the conscious decision to work at this thing called life together because we benefit and enjoy it more together. It's corny to say that we complete each other, but after 8 years of dating it still feels true. I am not whole without him.

I know marriage will not be easy, but our relationship hasn't been easy either. It takes work, but with him I don't mind putting that work in. I choose to work at this with him daily. He's just the guy for me.

My answer would be because he is my best friend and I can't imagine not waking up next to him everyday for the rest of my life.

Do you think there is some hidden agenda with your mom acting that way? Seems weird that she is questioning it so much.

No i haven't but shes always been like that. She can never be just 'happy' for me. I think she regrets marrying my dad and don't want me to do the same but she doesn't actually see how much my fiance makes me happy. from the moment i wake up he calls me beautiful and kisses me and makes me laugh. He wants snuggles and makes sure i'm okay .

I definatly agree with all points.
I am a much better person with him and He helps me to be happy, I struggle with depression (so does he) but together we just...are so happy. it all goes away. I 'need' him and he needs me. my sleep has improved, my confidence has improved, I can stand up for myself ...
We both want the same things in life, we both have opposites that work well together.

I don't think there is! As long as you feel ready, I think you're fine. For us, we wanted to be 100% financially independent from our parents (this was mostly a me thing, I'm 4 years younger than my fiance). I also agree, I wanted to be married before we start a family. I think it's different for every person!

I had someone ask me this the other day and I didn't even know how to react- it was such an odd question, I thought. We've been together for 6 years- since high school, and there's never been a rough patch or anything of the sort, and we both graduated college with good jobs and the money is there for a wedding. So we just felt it was time, I guess? Nothing is changing after marriage, it'll just be legal and my last name won't be as complicated lol. We're looking forward to it and everything, I just don't like sharing emotional reasons with people- it makes me incredibly uncomfortable. So I just said "because we want to" and left it at that.

I actually never wanted to get married or have kids. I never saw the point because neither of my parents seemed to be able to get it right. And I didn't want to put myself or any child through the pains of divorce. But years later my fh and i have our beautiful baby and are getting married this November. When I think of why I'm getting married to him though before I love him, its because he's my best friend that brings out that sweet soft center under the hard candy that takes forever to break lol