Marriage

Marriage is a personal union between people. This union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is called a wedding and the status created is sometimes called wedlock. If recognized by the state, by the religion to which the parties belong and/or by society in general, the act of marriage may change the personal status of the individuals in the eyes of those authorities. The status in the eyes of one authority may not be the same as for another. For example, a marriage may be recognised by the state, but not by a church, and vice versa. Marriage is an institution in which interpersonal relationship (usually intimate and sexual) are sanctioned with government, social, or religious recognition. It is often created by a contract or through civil processes. Civil marriage is the legal concept of marriage as a governmental institution, in accordance with marriage law of the land. Marriage may take many forms: for example, a union between one man and... full article at wikipedia