"Jesus would rather kill, not marry, gay people" - Franklin Graham

[Ravenshire]

Yup, in England the qualified marriage giver must also sign the document along with the participants and some witnesses. You could have a full church wedding and not be legally married, if this part isn't done. Or you can just do the legal bit and go home.

I realized what is going on here, I think. RR and people like him don't want to be associated with gays through the word marriage. They want it clear that "their" marriage is different.

(PS: Technically no one has to be gay though, two straight people of the same gender could marry, as far as I know.)

There was actually a terrible Adam Sandler movie based on that rather clever premise. "I now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry." "Two straight, single Brooklyn firefighters pretend to be a gay couple in order to receive domestic partner benefits." From IMDB.