Marriage is a permanent union between a man and a woman and is entered into in the manner laid down by law. The main purposes of marriage are to establish a family, properly bring up children, and provide mutual support and assistance.
Marriage stems from the free will of a fully consenting man and woman who, as an engaged couple, wish to – and do – marry each other. Marriage may be entered into in a civil ceremony (before a public authority) or in a religious wedding (before an authority of a church or a religious community authorised to hold weddings). A wedding ceremony is a public and celebratory occasion that takes place in the presence of two witnesses.
The officiant, acting on behalf of a public authority or a legitimate religious body, asks the engaged couple whether they wish to marry each other. If they both answer in the affirmative, they enter into marriage. An engaged couple may also enter into marriage by other means if it is clear that they are declaring their will to marry each other.
Marriage
Impediments to marriage
Putative marriage
Void marriage