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“When banns started or when marriage licenses replaced banns starting around the 1680-90’s?”

Right. Government was not always involved. What is the need for government involvement and does government involvement need to be more now than when it started and if so why? If the answer to that is to ensure civilization’s survival, to what extent is government involment needed and is that even true of modern society or could other means be established?

“(Research my first sentence above)”

I don’t believe that response will prevail during debate in the “public square”.

Public square? Government not involved, Bwahahahaaaaa!!! Please my friend explain the historical reach that Churches had on government and vica versa? Governments absorb Religion/The Church which kept records/watch and in turn was a government institution for ages, duh. How could they scorn adulterers in the public square without knowing the married party involved? Keep in mind it was the magistrates that were full of vinegar to. That is why separation of Church/State in the Federal government was a new approach and marriage licensing (Which had long before been established) went with local/State governments, not left with the just the newly “separate” religions. Organizing society, novel concept to some, perplexing to others.

Marriage has been the backbone of society for eons as displayed during the beginnings of western civ. Churches were part of government/controlled policy in many towns and settlements and if you can't understand how civilization needed marriage/government as a organizing mechanism which led to stability than you can't grasp the historical significance. (I guess the necessary evil flew right over your head).
Brave new world I guess in your mind. Enjoy the instability and experimentation because like government, society needs marriage unless you want chaos with the court system, children's mental health, and a breakdown of civilization.