Young Brides-poll

ashmy211

I will be 24 and Fi will be 26 when we get married in May. Most of the people around me are about 24-25ish when they get married. I agree with PP saying it depends on the person and not their age. One of my best friends was 18 and her husband was 20 when they got married. 3 years later with a baby on the way and they are one of the most mature and close couples I know. But then again they were on their own paying rent, car insurance, etc since they were 15 and 17. So it really all depends.

ndzenowski

engaged at 21 and married at 22. I always wonder why people are quick to jump and say "finish school!" That was my moms first response.

carrieoz_76

Average age is probably late 20s. I don't give them the side eye for being young, just for being stupid (if they are). I think it's smart to get married after college, or after you've lived outside of your parents' home preferably in a different city for a bit. I just think it's good for girls to go somewhere and do something different for a bit, even if it's just to decide that what they really want is to go home and get married. It's not that it's unacceptable not to, but if I had a daughter, that's what I'd want for her.

kschwedic

I'm a young bride--my 22nd birthday is two weeks before the wedding (FI will be 24 the week after).  No one has really told us that we are too young.  But, like PPs have said, it depends on maturity, not age, really.A lot of people that I went to high school with have gotten married or are about to.  And a lot of those people I know very well and I can tell you that they are not ready, because their maturity level reminds me of a freshman in high school.I've moved out of my parents home, moved back, and moved out again.  I currently work full-time, attend school full-time, pay bills, blah blah blah.  FI helps out, but that's only because we're basically married (just don't live together and don't have a license saying we are).When FI first started talking about getting married, I was scared to death because I wasn't ready.  But over the past year and a half or so, I've really grown and know that we are both ready.And I really don't give the side eye to anyone, except for those people that come on here asking really ridiculous questions that even a monkey could answer, ya know?

Puppylove*85

I got engaged at 20 and married at 21.  I consider that young but I am happy with my decision.I live in Metro Detroit, the suburbs not downtown, and most people here wait until closer to 27 to marry.I don't look down on young brides, but I give a side eye to immature brides of all ages.I don't think there is an "acceptable age" but I understand that marrying young does have unique challenges.  The decision to marry is significant and requires much careful consideration.  I believe it requires even more thought when one is young.

Brie2010

I would say that 24-29 is pretty average.  Unfortunately, my sister and cousin are 30 and unmarried and they get the whole old spinster thing from my family, which I think is sad, since they both own their own homes, have great jobs and like their life a lot.Usually.  I think there are a lot of smart younger brides, like danieldebi for one, but it's a bit of a red flag for me.When you're ready.  It varies.  I'll be almost 26 when I get married and I feel it's time.

blenderdance

I got married at 25, just a couple weeks shy of 26.  I think that is on the young side of the average among DH and my friends. I think age depends on the person, but I do give the side-eye to brides who are both really young and haven't dated their FIs very long.  For me, I think how well couples know eachother is more crucial than age, and I don't understand how people can feel comfortable with spending their lives with someone they have only known a few months...For me, DH and I were friends for a year before we started dating, then dated for 5 1/2 years before marriage--now I feel comfortable that not only do I know we know eachother really well, but also that we are able to grow and change together, which I think is really important.  So, when you are young AND you haven't been together long, I wonder how you know you will both be happy as you grow and change with each other.

fangsiting

What is the average age that people get married where you're from? At my high school & college the average age is 20-23, but that's because they are super Christian and just want to have sex.  Once I got out of that environment, it's much older.  The average age of my friends getting married now is late 20s to early 30s.    When you see a young bride on the boards, do you give her the side eye? Maybe, but only if they say stupid things.  What do you think is an acceptable age to get married and why? It really depends on the maturity level of the people getting married & what they want in life. 

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I know several people from high school who have 2-3 kids. We graduated 9 years ago. Some people got married right after college, and a lot of people I knew from college and high school are getting married now, at 26-28. But in my tight circle of friends, everyone else is single. Even those who are older than me. FI is 35 and a good number of his friends are married, though some went to grad school for a long time, too, so since they pretty much just started their careers, they aren't married. FI graduated from school at 27.I'm 27, and I couldn't have pictured myself getting married at 23 or 24, let alone 20. At 20, I was concentrated on my education. At 24, I was a mess. And it was when I was a mess that I met FI. And then I decided to get my act together. Of course, I've known people who married at 19 and had it work out fine. And those who haven't had it work out fine. My thought is that if you're 20, you're going to spend 50-60 years married to this person, and you have a good 15-20 years of fertility left if you're planning on having children, so there's no good reason to marry now rather than 2 years fomr now, I guess.

BubbleJ

I'm 20 and will be 23 when I get married.Average age varies, my last two friends to get married were 20 and 22Young bride on boards, not for being young, for not being realistic about their weddingAccepable age, whenever the person feels they are ready, its not for me to judge

Leah&Christian09

Most of my friends started getting married around 25, but a few still aren't married and are in their early 30's, but I expect they all will in the next few years. I'm sure the average age around here is younger, though, b/c there are a lot of uber christian nuts. I just don't associate with them. I don't think there's a set age, but I think everyone should go to college or trade school or whatever and live out of their parents' house, without their parents' financial support, for a couple of years before they get married. Everyone thinks they are mature at 19 or 20, and they may be. I think people need both maturity and experience before they get married. I don't really take anyone under 22 seriously about marriage. My view has always been that there's no harm in waiting a few years, but there is a lot of harm in rushing it.

kellyeda1stnoel

I definitely think it depends on region. I am from a small town in texas, but go to college in another part of texas. It is not uncommon for women to get married young. I graduate high school in 2006 and most of the girls I went to high school with are married with children. A few of them are already divorced and remarried to other people. I am 21 and getting married next year when I will 22; a lot people are wondering why I am waiting to get married, but I am waiting until we graduate college in december.

squirrly

It varies a lot.  For people who do not go to college in this area, they tend to get married by age 20.  For those who do go to college, about half get married within 12 months of graduation to their college bf/gf.  The other half get married between 28 & 32 to someone they met later in life.I really don't care how old someone is.  They are either mature enough to make adult decisions, run a household, plan and pay for a wedding, etc. or they aren't.  I think it's acceptable to get married anytime you meet the "mature enough" standard above & have found the right person for you who is also mature enough. 

skiingstark

I was 24 and  the next week I would be turning 25. DH was 26.  Ever one thinks we are at a perfect age to marry. Most poeple seem to get married around  in 24-29 in the Denver area. Where I went to college in WV girls just seem to run to the alter after high school. And in DC area were I grew up 27 to 30 something. So I have been in every type of area. I think if you cannot drink at your own wedding that is a big clue you might be to young. But maturity is the key. Most people I know were not ready to get married at least till after college. All the people I knew in WV were way to young and it showed in their relationships.