My new missus and I got married by the mayor of our community. We did that because we wanted to get spousal benefits for her, and in order to do that, we needed a piece of paper issued by the state saying we were a wedded couple.

What a crock.

The only reason the state is involved goes back to the days when a woman was considered the "property" of the man and proceedures had to be in place to regulate inheritance trails and dowry distribution.

There is no reason in todays day and age why the state should be involved at all, as long as the people who choose to form a pair are mentally competent and of a recognized age of consent.
The state needs play no role in the agreement, any more than they need play a role in a couples taste in groceries or music.

Any person today should be able to agree to "wed" any other person by any means they choose to use.

Religious ceremony? Great and more happyness to you
Private ceremony? Ditto
No ceremony? Ditto
Public announcement, private contract, whatever,   Ditto

Constitutional amendment my butt!
Stay the hell out and let people get on with their lives the way they like.

Other than that I have no strong feelings on the matter.

Mark