Weddings and happily-ever-afters are affairs sought and fantasized by most women.  It’s in our social DNA to want to have beautiful weddings and fairy tale endings after we say “I do.”  There’s a problem, however, if our significant others are just not that… ready.  These wedding cake toppers (shown right) may seem humorous — until you realize that’s exactly how your boyfriend reacts whenever you mention the “M” word.  So spare yourself the stress and hold your thoughts of wedlock until he’s ready.  Here are three sure signs for you to avoid matrimony.

HIS FAMILY IS A MYSTERY
He’s never introduced you to his family.  You think he has siblings, or so he tells you, but you’ve never met them or even “friended” them on Facebook.  This is fine if you’ve just barely started dating the dude, but if you two have been going steady for two years, it’s a problem.  Unless he’s personally distant from his family (or doesn’t want to take the relationship to the next level of commitment), there’s no reason why he should be keeping you or them a secret.

HE’S NOT FINANCIALLY READY
Let’s face it, weddings can be costly these days.  Unless your ideal wedding is to elope in Las Vegas, he’s probably not ready to pop the question until he has more dough saved up.  This can be a good sign, because it can indicate that he’s planning ahead and doesn’t want to jump the gun before he’s reached financial stability.  But if he’s spending most of his paycheck fixing up his car… be concerned.  His priorities do not include you.

HE STILL WANTS TO BE “ONE OF THE BOYS”
It’s boys’ night every other night, and you’re not invited.  If his ears perk up when one of his buds mentions going on another spontaneous trip or crashing the local frat party with the fellas, your man is not ready to settle.  And if he is not mature enough to make that decision on his own, don’t try to convince him he needs to.  Don’t try to tie a man down when he’s not ready, it’s a formula for disaster.  If he’s 30 and still acting like he’s 21, he’s definitely on the immaturity spectrum.

So if your friends and cousins are getting married, attend their weddings and be happy for them — but don’t start planning your own wedding if your S.O. isn’t in the same boat yet!

• Not ready for the “M” word yourself but want to gauge his commitment?  Read He’s Not Committed If…

Images credit: The Knot.com