In the United States, we have two types of legal marriage, one is religious and one is civil.
If a couple chooses, they can be married in a house of worship by ordained clergy, in the presence of anyone they choose to invite. Or, if they wish, they can be married in a civil ceremony, performed by an official in a public office with only the couple, the official and two witnesses present. They can even be married in Las Vegas in a wedding chapel or in a park by someone who got their credentials off the Internet. The only constant in these marriages is two people who choose to commit themselves to each other and an official to sign the marriage certificate.
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