Although June is known in the Philippines as the month when students go back to school, it is also known to be the month of weddings. So wedding coordinators, sellers of rings and jewelry, as well as caterers are pretty busy this time of the year.

Two Filipino bloggers, Selaplana and Macuha have recently announced that they are getting married soon. So, I got me thinking about weddings.

When your friends and the friends of your friends are getting married, you might be asking yourself whether you should tie the knot soon.

If you’ve been on courtship for quite some time now, you better ask yourself if this is for real. When you are already in your mid or late twenties, teenage-type short-term relationships are a thing of the past. That is if you’ve grown from such tendencies. If not, well then, goodluck to your next relationship.

If you’re seriously in a relationship, then you might as well take a look at the following tips whether or not it is time for you to be tied, err… if it is time for you to get married. Hahah.

Do you sufficiently know your partner? Of course, being together forever is no joke! Before tying the knot, you should know your partner’s strengths. You should also know the things that will give you headaches and struggles. Don’t be naive in thinking that since you love each other, you will live happily ever after.

Are you both financially secure and stable? Ideally, money should not be a big concern. But then again, how are you going to eat? What about the kids you plan to have? I remember one of my teachers in High School. When reminding us not to marry early, she asks the guys in Ilocano: “what are you gonna feed your family: your penises?” It elicited tons of laughter by then.

Yet, looking back, my teacher has a point. Happiness and romance can give you happiness. But life is more than just romance. You’ll have to think about the bills, the food you’ll eat. Your future together and things like that. My sister is already married and she has one kid and her husband is not much help economically. So the financial question is really a big consideration.

Do you have the blessings of your family and your friends? Marriage and weddings, especially in the Philippines, are not only between the groom and the bride. It is a community affair. In traditional communities in the provinces, the whole barangay and community is involved in the preparation and the celebration of a wedding ceremony.

Even in the cities, families and the network of friends of both groom and bride are involved in the wedding. And hopefully, they are also involved in the marriage. Ask your closest friends and family members about your future partner. Their inputs are valuable. After all, the two of you shall not be the only persons involved in your marriage.

Are you of the right age? Physical age matters less than emotional and intellectual age. Can you decide for yourself now? If you do, can you take care of another person who will enter your life as you equal and as your other half?
Maturity is important, of course since you shall no longer be on your own. Personally, I’m looking to get married when I turn 28. That’s like three years from now and it scares me. Hahah.

There are other questions that you would have to answer. But that would be for you to discover. If your answer to the questions above is affirmative, congratulations! Go for it!