How Long Have People Been Getting Married

Published on 26 January 2025 at 18:55

The practice of marriage is thought to be around 4,350 years old, with the first recorded marriage taking place in Mesopotamia in 2350 B.C.  Marriages and wedding ceremonies have been conducted across all religions since ancient times up through the current day.

The purpose of marriage has changed over time, from alliances between families to a sacrament of the Catholic Church.  In ancient times, marriage was primarily a way to create alliances, acquire land, and produce heirs. 

The word "marriage" comes from the Latin word maritātus, which means "married".  The word "matrimony" comes from the Latin word mātrimōnium, which is derived from māter meaning "mother". 

 

Timeline of marriage

Ancient times: Marriage was a popular institution among the Greeks, Romans, and Hebrews. 

5th century: The collapse of the Roman Empire led to the church taking over marriage and elevating it to a holy union. 
1215: The Catholic Church declared marriage to be one of its seven sacraments. 
16th century: The Catholic Church decreed that weddings be performed in public, by a priest, and before witnesses. 
1913: The Revenue Act of 1913 formally recognized marriage in law for the first time in the United States. 
1929: All states in the United States had laws regarding marriage licenses. 

 

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