đź’Ť The History of Marriage: From Ancient Traditions to Modern Love
Get Married Today: Same-Day Marriage Licenses & Ceremonies in California
At Get Married Today, we believe marriage is more than just a legal formality—it’s a symbolic connection that reaches back thousands of years. Whether you’re planning a same-day elopement in California, a military wedding, or need a legally recognized marriage for immigration or international purposes, your union is part of a rich and evolving tradition.
Today, Get Married Today offers same-day marriage license issuance and officiant services in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and beyond—providing couples with a fast, stress-free, and meaningful way to say “I do” without courthouse delays.
Let’s take a deeper look at the history of marriage, its legal and spiritual roots, and how Get Married Today can help you become a part of that global legacy—right here in California.
🏛️ Marriage in Ancient Civilizations
The story of marriage begins in ancient Mesopotamia, over 4,000 years ago. Early marriages were contracts used to forge alliances between families. Romantic love played no role—instead, marriages focused on property rights, inheritance, and social status.
In Ancient Greece, marriage solidified household units. Women moved into their husband’s home and were expected to bear children and manage domestic duties. Roman marriages, on the other hand, introduced civil contracts and monogamous structures, many of which influenced today’s legal marriage frameworks.
📄 Encyclopedia Britannica – History of Marriage
⛪ Religious Influence on Marriage
By the 12th century, Christianity transformed marriage into a religious sacrament, particularly under the influence of the Catholic Church. It became a holy and unbreakable union, central to moral and community life.
Weddings were held in churches and performed by clergy. Marriage became both spiritual and social, though it still heavily leaned on duty and obedience more than love.
📄 PBS – A Brief History of Marriage
đź“ś Legalization and Government Recognition
As society progressed, the state began to take control of marriage registration. The Marriage Act of 1753 in England, also known as Lord Hardwicke’s Act, required all marriages to be performed in a church with proper documentation—effectively ending secret unions.
In the United States, marriage law evolved by the 19th century, introducing marriage licenses, registration, and legal benefits like property rights and spousal privileges.
📄 UK Parliament – History of Marriage Law
📄 Library of Congress – Marriage Law in the U.S.
đź’” The Evolution of Divorce and Marriage Equality
In the past, marriage was expected to last for life, regardless of compatibility. Divorce was rare, costly, and publicly condemned. That began to change in the 20th century.
In 1969, California passed the Family Law Act, which introduced no-fault divorce, making it the first U.S. state to do so. The concept of love as the basis for marriage finally took legal precedence over social and economic contracts.
By 2015, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges granted same-sex couples the right to marry nationwide, making marriage a fully inclusive civil right.
📄 California Courts – Family Law & Divorce
📄 Oyez – Obergefell v. Hodges Summary
đź“… Modern Marriage in California: Fast, Legal, and Accessible
Today, California is one of the most marriage-friendly states in the U.S. Couples can get married on the same day they receive a license, with no residency requirement or waiting period.
You can choose between:
• Public Marriage License – Requires one witness, visible in public records
• Confidential Marriage License – Requires no witness, not part of public record
At Get Married Today, we offer licensed officiant services and marriage license issuance all in one easy appointment.
📄 California Department of Public Health – Marriage Licenses
📄 Orange County Clerk-Recorder – Marriage Services
🌍 Global Recognition with Apostille Services
If you’re visiting from abroad—say, from the UK, Australia, Germany, or Mexico—you may need an apostille to make your California marriage certificate legally recognized in your home country.
We work with our trusted partners at
to offer fast, reliable apostille processing for international couples.
📄 California Secretary of State – Apostille Services
📄 Hague Apostille Convention Info – HCCH
🎖️ Same-Day Weddings for Military Couples
For military members stationed in California, getting married quickly can unlock important benefits like:
• TRICARE Health Insurance
• BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing)
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station) Relocation Support
• Legal Rights in Deployment & Family Planning
📄 Military.com – Military Marriage Benefits
At Get Married Today, we are proud to serve active-duty military couples with same-day marriage services, even on weekends and holidays.
đź’’ Why Couples Are Choosing Same-Day Marriages
âś… No Waiting
Get married today, not in weeks. No scheduling conflicts, no stress.
📄 Zola – How to Plan a Last-Minute Wedding
âś… Total Privacy
We offer confidential licenses and private ceremonies. No big crowd needed.
📄 Brides – Micro Weddings & Elopements
âś… Immigration-Friendly
Need a legal marriage for visa or green card applications? We help couples get married fast and file paperwork that supports immigration efforts.
📄 USCIS – Marriage & Green Card
âś… LGBTQ+ Inclusive
We celebrate all love stories. Our services are 100% inclusive and available to all couples.
📄 Lambda Legal – Marriage Equality
đź“Ť Where You Can Get Married with Us
With Get Married Today, your ceremony can take place:
• In your home or backyard
• On the beach at sunset
• At a hotel, Airbnb, or private venue
• In a local park or garden
• At our designated ceremony space
We serve all of Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, and surrounding areas.
📄 Wedding Spot – Top California Wedding Locations
đź“ť Required Documents to Get Married in California
To get married in California, you’ll need:
• A valid photo ID (passport, driver’s license, or government-issued ID)
• To be at least 18 years old
• To be present during the license issuance
📄 US Marriage Laws – California
✨ Your Wedding, Your Way
At Get Married Today, we believe that marriage should be:
• Affordable
• Flexible
• Meaningful
• Available to everyone
Whether you’re planning a spontaneous elopement, preparing for military deployment, or seeking legal marriage for visa purposes, we help you start your new chapter today—without stress.
đź“Ś Book Your Same-Day Marriage Today
We’re available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Whether you want a quiet and intimate wedding, a sunset beach elopement, or a quick legal union before travel or deployment, we’ll help you Get Married Today.
đź“… Book your appointment now at GetMarried.Today