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That’s because one mere mortal man is not enough. Some days it takes two sisters, three best friends and my husband to put me right again. My friends help make my marriage magical because they help make me happy.

Your wedding guests are also there for you — not just on your big day but in the bigger sense. When they say, “Congratulations!” what they really mean is, “I admire your for choosing love.”

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4.) You’ll feel vulnerable (and it will make you beautiful). The gravity and beauty of choosing love will hit you when you least expect it. You’ll be moved by hearing yourself say your vows, or when you see that your mom has tears in her eyes. You’ll stumble or choke up — and it will be perfect.

You may be tempted to suck it up and keep yourself together, but here’s what no one ever tells you: That unguarded, messy part? It’s attractive. It’s real.

Your vulnerability also caused the lasting fascination that leads to lifelong commitment, and it’s what will keep the two of you bound together emotionally in the best possible way. As uncomfortable and scary as it is to be mushy, it’s also courageous, and fortune favors the brave.

There will be times in your marriage when you’ll be tempted to pull yourself together instead of letting your husband see you fall apart, but choosing vulnerability is choosing deeper connection today and for the rest of your life.

5.) Love is all it’s cracked up to be. Everything you’ve heard in happy love songs is true. You’ll be euphoric on your wedding day, and for good reason. You’re grabbing one of the biggest prizes in life. Who wouldn’t be ridiculously happy about that?

And devoting all of this time and energy to a ceremony to mark the event is completely and utterly worthwhile because you’ll be giving yourself no easy escape. If I hadn’t worn that fluffy white dress and invited everyone who loves us, I would have given up and broken up. The wedding held us together through hard times.

Now that I’ve been married for nearly 28 years and I have the relationship I dreamed of when I said, “I do,” I know that making that commitment in front of God and everybody was what led me on the best self-improvement journey of my life: learning the skills that contribute to a playful, passionate relationship.

Related: Be Happier in Your Marriage

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The cynics will complain about the expense and the hassle of the wedding, but the people you want to listen to are the ones who know this profound truth: Learning to love and be loved in return is as important and magical as you’ve heard. Now that’s worth celebrating.

Laura Doyle, based in Los Angeles, is the author of the new book, “The Empowered Wife: Six Surprising Secrets for Attracting Your Husband’s Time, Attention and Affection.” She is also the founder of Laura Doyle Connect, an international relationship coaching company.