A wedding is much more than legislation; it is an intention of lasting commitment. Coming from divorced parents has affected my feelings on this. I am currently single, but about a decade ago I was in a 10-year committed relationship with my girlfriend. There was an expectation that when the laws changed we would get married. I experienced this as an intense pressure.
At the time, I had spent so much of my life looking after others, and felt I had fallen into that same pattern within my relationship. But I did not have the words or understanding to negotiate change. I felt compelled to end my relationship, and deconstruct my life. For a long time, I was full of regret. Now I know that I needed to be alone, and try to find a way to nurture myself. In order to change my patterns of behaviour, I needed to make a commitment to my life.