Well anon. friend,..
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if u guys have been together for 8 years, I'd bet you've probably heard most of the pros anyone here at baffld would come up with ... but what I'd ask you is, since you clearly are reluctant for some specific reason(s), if you're comfortable enough in telling us what those are, we may be able to help you with your REAL dilemna ... ..
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... the one that has stopped you from moving to this next step and that you likely realize if you DON'T deal with, she could end up resenting you for, and possibly even leave you over.....
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Angie..

Eight years and you don't want to get married? There's no way I'd have a baby with you. I might chop your head off...
Advantages of getting married? Well, there are tax advantages. Getting married is standing up in front of your friends and loved one and saying, that you choose this person to spend the rest of your life with. And if you haven't decided you want to spend the rest of your life with her after eight years, you need to walk away. I can't believe she's stuck around this long. She probably has a lot of pressure from her family to stop living in sin -- especially before having a baby...

Yeah, there's the tax business, plus you get to have a big fun party that you plan yourself and everyone you know will come and dance and eat and drink and laugh and give you presents! I am living with my fiance but now that I have the ring I found it ups the ante in a way I didn't expect. It means, we are really serious about this, it's not something we're just hoping will continue if all continues to go well. We are committing...

Honestly I am on your side here...I have never really understood why people need to prove their marraige. I mean if you already have all the things goign on you woudl when you were married then why?..But if your girrlfriend wants to so bad and you knwo you are goign to spend forever with her, maybe you could compromise on a tiny inexpensive wedding so she will be happy...