Tobias and Lulu are in love and they want to get married. What should they understand about the laws that govern valid ceremonial marriages?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Every state has the authority to impose requirements. 
All states have an age requirement. Anyone who has reached the designated age of majority, usually 18, may marry without the consent of the parents. However, if one or both are under the age of majority, parental consent is required or proof of emancipation by a court declaring the minor to be an adult in the eyes of the law. 
Many states require a blood test to screen for social and genetic diseases such as syphilis, rubella, sickle-cell anemia, or Tay-Sachs. Detection of these diseases does not prohibit the marriage of the parties, but provides them with knowledge regarding them, or their partners' health and the possible effect on them and their future offspring. 
States require a license for ceremonial civil or religious marriages. Usually, both parties must personally appear before the county clerk or person designated in that capacity, fill out an application and sign it, and pay a fee. Both parties must swear under oath on issues regarding age, and prior marriages. The clerk will then issue the marriage license authorizing the couple to marry. Note: a marriage license permits the parties to marry, whereas a marriage certificate is a document signed, after the solemnization of the marriage, by the parties, witnesses, and the person who officiated over the ceremony. 
And last, let's hope Lulu has not confused solemnization with the flowers, the music, the twenty bridesmaids, or the dress that she will wear only once. All states require that marriages be solemnized by a person recognized and authorized by the law to carry out this function. Because marriage is a state-regulated activity, requirements vary. The above-mentioned are some of the minimum requirements that states require of valid marriages that are performed in their jurisdiction.