The government doesn't create marriage, it merely recognizes it, and provides useful services like ensuring bigamy or incest doesn't take place. It surprises no

The government doesn't create marriage, it merely recognizes it, and provides useful services like ensuring bigamy or incest doesn't take place. It surprises no-one that the bride and groom entering (and consummating) the marriage is the essential part, the ritual is the part that signifies the marriage has happened, and the particulars of the person presiding over the ceremony carry no significance at all.