I have been living with my boyfriend for over two years and he has told me that he has no intention of getting married. He sees the wedding its self as a waste of money (which I sort of agree with), feels that a legally binding agreement is not necessary for two people to be committed to each other, and has stated that he isn't ready to be "that committed".

I don't know what to do. Am I glamourizing marriage? I have sentimental reasons for wanting to get married - I love him and I want a ceremony to say to everyone we know that we are a committed couple, and ask for their blessing, so to speak (we're not religious). When I think about it I can't think of a good, logical reason to get married other than it being sentimental... Am I being possessive, maybe branding him as mine?

What I need is people with experience to lay it out for me - the good and bad things about marriage. What are good reasons to get married, and what are the pitfalls, as in your experience or what you have seen with others. I was raised by monogamous parents, there is no history of divorce on either side of my family, and his parents are still married as well. Am I just expecting marriage because I was brought up that way?

I need help!