1. I think you're mistaking marriage for a wedding. The wedding is the expensive ceremony (and studies show the more expensive, the less stable the marriage!)

1. I think you're mistaking marriage for a wedding. The wedding is the expensive ceremony (and studies show the more expensive, the less stable the marriage!) 2. A marriage contractually binds you together in a lot of ways that are subtle but powerful. You share debts, you share risk, you share counsel. Your spouse cannot be compelled to testify against you. While few people will ever encounter this scenario, the idea is powerful. Legally speaking, your spouse and you are a unit that cannot be turned against each other. If marriage has no point, why has it lasted so long and is so widespread? The reasons are there if you look for them.