The important difference to know between a marriage, legal marriage and weddings

People tend to think there’s a grey area between a marriage and a wedding, almost like they work hand in hand. However, this isn’t the case and as a couple you should be aware of the legalities when it comes to each of these definitions and how they’re different.

In this blog, we’ll look at each of the terms and understand why they should be distinguished clearly when thinking about your long term relationship. Here is clarity on the terms you should be aware of.

Why do they matter?

The reasons these terms matter can be quite significant when we discuss gay marriages. It is believed that in order for the legal sector to recognise gay marriages, they would have to be preserved in a church or the house of god which has many restraints within religious beliefs. 

Many believers also feel that their marriage will also be devalued by being from an LGBT society and not having an official legal standing. By not having the correct rights to be married officially through the legal system, it is understandable that these couples question their marital status.

Having a wedding

Weddings should be seen more as a celebration of the bonding between 2 parties rather than classed as an official confirmation of a marriage. Without the required documentation that legally confirms the marriage, it can not be concluded as an official partnership. 

A wedding typically happens before or after a finalised marriage which means it should only be considered as a ritual rather than an official ceremony to bind marriage together. This is because there are many ways that a celebration can take place without actually being official, including a change of name or pronouncing as being ‘united in love’. 

Official legality of marriage

In order to be legally married there are several points that need to be confirmed and considered. This includes obtaining a marriage certificate and license. There are guidelines that need to be passed in order to obtain this. 

Once these are signed and declared and passed through the official process, it is only then that your partner can be legally confirmed as officially married. In doing this, it would prevent any complications of needing to introduce dispute resolution solicitors to look into their marriage as these documents provide enough clarity for this to be confirmed.