Christina Hendricks says marrying Geoffrey Arend has made her more nurturing.

Christina Hendricks says marriage has made her more "nurturing".

The 'Mad Men' actress - who tied the knot with '(500) Days of Summer' actor Geoffrey Arend in October 2009 - admits their relationship changed after they wed because she felt more "connected" to her spouse.

She explained: "I felt more nurturing towards him [when we married], like he's here forever and I've got to make sure he's healthy and fed and clothed and loved.

I felt much more connected to him. There's something about having all your family in a room and announcing it and celebrating it that makes it very real.

"I felt much more connected to him. There's something about having all your family in a room and announcing it and celebrating it that makes it very real."

Christina, 36, also admitted she "freaked out" Geoffrey with a passionate declaration of love soon after they started dating.

Asked how soon after they started dating she told him she loved him, the actress told the new issue of Britain's Cosmopolitan magazine: "Not long - and I cracked it out in such a big way.

"I was like, 'You make me want to have a family.' I freaked him out a bit... Thank God I didn't spook him enough to make him leave.