While the flow of engaged couples tying the knot has never really slowed down, the truth is that many people in their 20s are now waiting longer to get married. This could be attributed to many different factors; be it that many stay in education for longer, more put their career first, and some just love their freedom too much.
But what do these singletons think about marriage as a whole? What do they want their big day to be like? And how have their goals changed from their childhood fairy-tale wedding scenario?
Chucky BartoloChucky Bartolo, 21
“The thought of being married at my age absolutely terrifies me, just as I’m sure the thought of being single and eating cereal out of a flat plate with a fork – because I can – might terrify others. Just like the slice of Brie I ate the other day, the expiry date is just a suggestion by society to bully you into not eating the cheese you want to eat – or get married when you want to.
“Despite the tone of 90 per cent of what I’ve said above, I’m an absolute romantic. My future is hazy at best, but the ‘when I’m older’ scenarios always have my significant other there. Faceless and nameless for now, but ‘the one’ – or rather one of ‘the ones’ – will be found.
The thought of being married at my age absolutely terrifies me
“As for my wedding day, I fly between having a tiny event with only the nearest and best-at-getting-themselves-invited and having a wedding that would make Princess Aurora weep on the day. However, swans sound like they’d fit in perfectly in both of those. Oh, and a hot spouse with a killer sense of humour would be great too!”
Becky MicallefBecky Micallef, 24
“When I was younger, I used to dream of getting married by the age of 24 or 25, so that I could have children relatively early in life and be one of the ‘cool, hip mums’.
Obviously, being 24 today, and still very far away from the idea of a relationship, let alone marriage, I think differently. I’d say getting married at 30 or 31 is the most appropriate time.
“I think someone’s 20s are a time to enjoy one’s youth. You know: study, travel, party, make friends, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. It’s a time for no holding back, for experimentation. I think people who get married in their late 30s should be admired, mostly because they have waited for so long to find what they were looking for and didn’t settle for average just to meet society’s expectations. Then again, to each his own, I guess. There are people who meet the love of their life at 15 and others at 35… It’s all down to fate.
“Nevertheless, I know what my perfect wedding would be like… On a Sunday, late morning, on a warm May day, at Palazzo Parisio with my closest friends and family, my wedding gown designed by Luke Azzopardi, arriving in a classic convertible car and being walked down the aisle by my grandfather.”
Sarah MichelleSarah Michelle, 24
“I don’t think there is a time to get married, particularly given today’s lifestyle and the never-ending opportunities to travel and meet new people. I don’t want to be judgemental, but I feel that those who get married earlier on in life are missing out – especially those with the typical Maltese mentality of spending most or all of their time with their other half.
“Very often, marriage involves buying a place, settling in permanent jobs and eventually having kids – things which, automatically, hinder such people from experiencing the beauty of other cultures and mentalities far away from our tiny island. I have plenty of time to snuggle up on couches, look at properties and say ‘yes’ to the perfect dress… But for now, I’ll stick to browsing airline websites and sipping on cocktails at the weekend.
I would rather get married in my 30s than in my 50s...
“Having said that, I would rather get married in my 30s than in my 50s… Although I’m not particularly religious, I have to admit that I’d still like to get married in a church, namely St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, but considering how far-fetched that is, I’d settle for St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina. Ideally the reception would also include fireworks and bunnies running around!”
Emma Portelli BonniciEmma Portelli Bonnici, 22
“Being married by a specific time? What an antiquated notion! People should get married whenever they’re ready to get married. It’s things like this that put marriage success statistics into perspective. It’ll happen when it happens. I also think that times have changed so much, that nowadays it’s significantly less important to be ‘settled’ at an early age. I’m turning 23 this year and haven’t even finished University – at this age, my mother was already expecting me.
“As a child I wasn’t traditionally girly at all. To put you in the picture, I once convinced my dad to get me this Barbie that came with a little cat you could brush and feed – I loved the cat and thought the Barbie was ridiculous. My point being that, as a child, getting married never crossed my mind.
“Nevertheless, being the incredibly organised person that I am, I’m sure that if I had to get married, I’d have one of those massive wedding-planning journals to make sure everything went exactly according to plan.
“I’d definitely need my family and my friends there – I’m really not the type of person who’d run off on a whim and get married and I’d plan it till it couldn’t possibly be planned further.”