nonsense.
“way back” there was no government recording of who was married. You only had family bibles, church records, and often times, NOTHING. (not to mention the inheritance fraud) The government involvement has NOTHING to do with ritual. In fact all you need do is sign the dotted line at the marriage license window together and you are legally married with no “ritual”.
This is about ENDORSING a specific sexual ACT. This is about deinstitutionalizing the family unit.
That has nothing to do with whether or not the government. merely records a marriage.
I am afraid I have so completely failed to make my point for you , that I am beyond rehabilitation .