why DO people marry?

In looking for a partner for life there are a lot of aspects to consider. I don't think it's just love but that is of course the main thing. You have to have chemistry with someone in order to even begin to be interested. After that you have to share some of the same values and view on certain subjects. And Of course for all the shallow reasons like looks, personalities, interests and things like that but there are other reasons that are deeper also. Let me elaborate some of those.

Religion: We are living in a 100% Muslim country, so the obvious is that you marry because of the Religion. Your religion enforces you to fulfill the physical desires after marriage. As of now living together is not allowed in the Country. Not only that. But there are moral and religious ties that marriage is sacred and that it is God's plan for bringing families into the world. Not to mention the absolute security of knowing that your spouse is committed to only you and you to them.

Love and Commitment: People marry because they are truly in love with one and other and want to be committed to her/him forever. They embrace the differences, as married to an individual, not a yes man. One of my friends describes his marriage, ‘I love my wife dearly, my wife can't have children and adoption may not be an option, we both want a family desperately, but gave that up to be with each other forever.’

Social Pressure: One of my friends just returned after her Masters (25 year old girl). Her parents, relatives and friends constantly ask her “When are you going to get married? You’re not getting any younger”. When you feel this kind of Social Pressure, a lot of times when you meet someone or have been dating someone for some time but you’re still not sure about them, an internal light switch decides to turn on convincing yourself that this is Mr. or Mrs. Right now, automatically speeding up the process to get married. Were before you were just fine and content with the way things were. Now she herself asks “Am I marrying this person because it’s about time I settle down? Is it because I have wasted a lot of time with this guy (3 years)? All my friends, brothers and sisters are already married, having kids and I’m the only one left.” This is SOCIAL PEER PRESSURE talking.

Materialistic goals (security): With the high cost of living conditions in Male’ and with more than 90 percent renting out, the costs are still on an upward trend. In this kind of scenario, people can’t help but think about financial synergies that will bring if you marry someone who earns a lot, have a car or have a house. In addition to that you're splitting all the bills. The financial benefits are incredibly tempting. Apple-in-the-garden-of-Eden tempting, if you will.
Security, knowing that that person will take care of you if need be, could support you if something went wrong and you were unable to work, knowing they'll be a good parent, etc.

Centre of Attention: Some are in Love with the thought of getting MARRIED, not so much the person. For them it doesn’t really matter who they are marrying but the fact that they are getting married and they will be the center of attention, as well as having a fancy sparkling ring they can show off to all their friends.

Pregnancy: "I got married because I was pregnant. So there was no option, I had to marry." Someone told me. When a girl gets pregnant outside of marriage, she is looked upon with shame. In drastic cases, her parents would either whisk her off to an abortion clinic or force her boyfriend to marry her.

To start an own family (children): A large number of friends told me that they got married or plan on marrying because they want to have children. Also having kids is an enormous responsibility that should not be taken lightly. A friend said “My parents say I need to hurry up and get married to have children because my biological clock is ticking”.

Avoid Loneliness: Everything from scared of being alone, dying alone and no one to take care of you when you’re older, having no one to share the holidays with. Just the fear that they will always be alone or that they will not find someone else to share their life with leaves some people marrying.
-Fear of Losing Someone: You don’t want to lose this person, so even though you’re not 100% sure that this is want you want; you marry them so they don’t leave you.

Incongruent Beliefs: Some believe that marriage will be the savior off all their problems. Somehow by getting married, everything in their past will be erased and they will be able to get a fresh new start. Whatever problems they were running and hiding from in the first place, will somehow go away on its own when they marry.

Arranged Marriage: Some opt for an arranged marriage I if I hadn’t had met my own husband by chance. It’s not just culture or tradition, its handing over a bit of responsibility to parents or guardians to choose and find you someone compatible and who will treat you well and be your best friend etc etc

There are reasons why you should not get married and also in the process of courting you will find your partner giving ridiculous excuses to avoid marriage too.

So no it's not just love there are a ton of things that people look for in the opposite sex. Without most of these things you can't love someone but there are some that can split up the most in love couple out there.