Its a perfect day for a white wedding

Later today, I will attend a wedding of one of my friends.
She just graduated from high school. She is marrying a 25-year-old. He has two kids already.
She seems happy, so I support her in her decision, it just baffles me personally. And she isn't the first one of my friends or acquaintances to be tying the knot. This past year another friend of mine got married, two classmates of mine said I do, and two more have weddings planned for next spring!
To me, marriage just seems like such a huge step. And I really do hope that things work out for everyone, they seem to be doing great so far, which is good to know, but I just can't imagine making this commitment at this point in my life. Does anyone really understand the seriousness of making the vow "Til' death do us part?"
If it happens, I won't complain about it, but marriage is kind of the end of you being you. Once you are married you are a unit, and you can no longer be reckless. You can't just wildly chase your dreams, because there is someone else in the picture who is depending on what you do, and who has dreams of their own. And if you have children, they are a major part and responsibility of your life for at least 18 years, and still a substantial part of if after that.
Now, I'm not saying marriage is, as the old saying goes, having a "ball and chain." It can be a beautiful thing. A wonderful thing.
It just seems to me that people are afraid that they will never find "true love" so they settle.
Or maybe its me. I don't know. I want to get married, but there is also so much more that I want to accomplish. Stuff I need to do to know that I did the best I could and be happy with my life.
I grew up with the Disney fairy tales where the beautiful girl, most of the time having some sort of royal ties, falls on hard luck and then is rescued by the dashing and handsome prince. Well, I think that is great, and I wouldn't mind riding off into the sunset on the back of a stallion, but also, looking at life realistically I want to be able to be my own prince. I want to know that if times get tough, I can survive on my own.
The fact of life is that 50% of marriages end in divorce. And then their are always other obstacles that arise, that make life too unpredictable, to not be sure that you can take care of yourself.
I guess, In a nutshell what I'm trying to say, is that sometimes I feel like I don't fit into the mold everyone around me seems to. My friends go into a jewelry store, and inevitable, end up standing in front of the diamond ring section imagining the day when someone will buy them one, while I look at earrings and jewelry and imagine the day I'll be able to buy it myself. Or, they talk about what their wedding dress is going to look like, and all I can think about is how I hope they choose a decent shape for the bridesmaid dresses.
Now, I don't want to not get married. Just right now, its hard to believe that so many people do......