Two persons of sound mind (although the fact that they want to get “married” puts in doubt the “sound mind”) get a “license” to marry from the County Clerk, then a state appointed functionary (JP, judge, priest, rabbi, etc.) witnesses the contract, and the state issues a “marriage” certificate. If subsequently the couple wishes to dissolve the contract they go to a state court to do so. “Marriage” confers on the couple certain rights, privileges, and responsibilities i.e., right to inheritance, not to be forced to testify against each other, etc. “Marriage” is a State function and it should properly be called a Civil Union.
If the couple would like to have their “marriage” blessed or sanctified by their community of faith they a free to do so. Their Pastor, Priest, Rabbi, Imam, or whatever, can perform such a ceremony, record the fact in their records and give the couple a Marriage Certificate to that effect.
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