Use of Clergy For Marriages

A common thought is that we should take the state out of the "marriage business," but marriage is going to have various state implications such as related to benefits. So, it makes sense for the state to have you "register" even if the final ceremony (itself, like swearing/affirming, of use to the state to symbolize its importance with witnesses) can (if desired for free exercise reasons) be in front of clergy. That's fine. Just provide various options as done for education of children etc. See my comment here for more.