This is similar to the concept of common law marriage under the English (and Anglo-derived) common law. If a couple set up housekeeping and held themselves out to the community as married, then, by golly, they were considered married in the eyes of the law.
Huh. The judge just signed ours at the wedding - it’s official and everything. Didn’t get it in the mail - he just handed it to us.
He signed your marriage license or your marriage certificate? The “Marriage License” (as it says at the top) is signed by the officiant. The “Certification of Marriage” isn’t signed by the priest or judge. The only signature on it is the stamped or pre-printed (I can’t tell which) signature of the County Clerk.
The marriage license, which is usually signed at or after the wedding ceremony, is supposed to be mailed into the County Clerk’s office by the officiant (or by the bride or groom, if the officiant refuses) within 10 days of the ceremony.
http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/marriage_faq.htm#10
The law apart,you only know that you are really,really married when your other half ORDERS you to go out and mow the lawn/put a shelf up etc.and you meekly obey her.
Or when she says "I want an orgasm, and I want it now
Then you can go mow the lawn etc…
I suppose it depends on what you mean. If you want a legal definition, there are some great answers in this thread. However, my two best friends who are gay didn’t get a license to marry since, well, they’re gay, but they held the ceremony anyway. We consider them just as married as anyone else.
Again, depends on the jurisdiction. In my province & country, your friends could get married.