In Christian marriage, the couple confers the sacrament. But marriage also serves a concommitant natural and public purpose, i.e., the perpetuation of society through the generation of children, and also the healthy channeling of sexuality. Marital separations involving children are inevitable, as are disputes regarding custody of children. It is the duty of the State to resolve these disputes, necessitating public (legal) recognition of marriages.
One of my best friends lost her husband she acquirred alot of material wealth, she is a wonderful godly person, she does not want to be married again HOWEVER she met a man who she does love but he comes with alot of debt from a horrible divorce, they are together hurting no one, they will not marry and I doubt they are going to hell for it..