Weddingbee boards

I don't really have much advice for you and can't think of an example where I experienced a similar situation. I'm sure I had negative comments in the beginning (June will be a year since we've been engaged) but I can't remember them. My best advice would be to try and shake it off....what's right for one person is not always the same for another and everyone has their own opinions.

I also wanted to add that IMO it would be the other way around. When reading the senario your friend discribe I immediately thought that in this case there isn't enough trust to get married. These people are more comfortable 'just living together' because they lack that level and commitment to one another and this way they can get out easily if need be. I think you have to have complete trust to be able to 'give' your life to someone in a way such as marrige, but that's just my opinion.

I don't think you're friend approached this in the best manner.  I understand she has an opinion and obviously feels comfortable enough sharing it with you.  Once you explained your opinion though,  I hope she didn't try to continue her point of view.

In the future, I would just tell nay-sayers. I am sorry that you don't agree with what I have chosen in my life.  Even though, it's not for you.  I would like for you to be happy for me, because it is what I want. 

A difference of opinion is fine but, if they can't be happy for you ...then that's when I wouldn't invite them.

It sounds like your friend might not have done a good job expressing her feelings. For a long time, I questioned the institution of marriage. It just seems like a lot of people view it as a natural progression of a relationship, without really examining the reasons why you'd want to enter into a commitment like that. Personally, I think that every single person who gets married should be able to answer, "Why do you want to get married?" For some people, it's because they want to have children and feel that they'll be more of a family if they're married. For others, it's the realization that they want to spend their life with someone and want to vow in front of all of their loved ones that this is what they intend to do. Regardless of the reasons behind it, though, I think everyone should be able to answer, "Why?" 

In regards to your friend, maybe she's overruled all of her possible reasons why she'd want to wed and is simply happier without the legal entanglements. Or maybe she objects to the overlap of church and state, which occurs in most (all?) marriages. For whatever reason, her answer to "Why not?" is more persuasive to her than her response to "Why?" Either way, though, if you were intending to invite her, I don't think her reaction should cause you to cut her from the guest list.