Britney Spears got married this weekend. The annulment is planned for early Monday morning. I guess she can always say she got married, though, even if it was a drunken joke that went way too far. Must have been watching old "Friends" episodes again.

The funny thing is I was actually going to talk about engagements and weddings this week anyway. Britney just gave me the punch line. I think the terrorists have actually attacked our water supply and given everyone visions of white dresses and relatives-in-law puking in the punch bowl.

A couple friends of mine got engaged over the Christmas vacation, and, because I like prognosticating, I expect a few more to get engaged before spring. After a few years away from churches, I will have some weddings to go to this year. Knowing my luck, they will occur on consecutive Saturdays in June. Maybe I can get a discount at the tux place.

I should congratulate my friends (both the ones who are actually engaged and the ones who probably will) before I say something I shouldn't.

I do believe marriage is a good thing, especially financially. It gives you a good pool of cash to fix up the house or upgrade the car. You only have to pay rent on one place now, and when you visit the parents, there isn't an awkward discussion about whether you or your special someone is going to sleep on the couch. There are, of course, all of the gifts. And the difference between weddings gifts and Christmas gifts is simple: registry. So unless you've got a friend like me, you'll probably get stuff you want. I, of course, have no interest in looking through a list of gifts you've already picked out just so I'll buy something you want. You're getting some nice wine or a bottle of scotch--deal with it.

Britney had it right, though. Just get it over with. We all know from your engagement that you're going to spend the rest of your life together. As a matter of fact, you've been spending your life together for a while now--which is the whole point, right? The wedding is just ceremony. And I'm not huge on ceremony--but I will endure it if there's an open bar. If I ever get married, and she's someone who truly understands me, we'll let everyone know after we get back from Vegas. Throw a big party after the fact and call it a "union" tour party. Obviously, I'm not close to getting married.

And some of this might sound like I'm resentful of those who are planning the rest of their lives RIGHT NOW! But I'm not. I know my friends are good people who have discussed (and probably fought a bit--which is fine as long as you make up quickly) the future ad nauseam. They aren't entering their commitment lightly or without thorough investigation.

Enough with that crap, though. There are millions of reasonings and thoughts and ponders that make up the decision to get married, but I think the actual decision is quite irrational and selfish at the same time. I say this not knowing what it takes to actually pop the question and go through with it. I say this from years of sociological study. Actually thinking, in your mind, that this one other person (and NO ONE ELSE) will be your friend, sex slave and possible parent to your children is very irrational and selfish. But I guess that's love, huh?

So everyone raise your glass.

Here's to love, which is what this engagement, marriage and open bar talk is all about. Let it be full and evergreen.

Matt Worley has been to a few weddings, and most of those couples are still married.