Page 120 - The Circle of Life

Where does a marriage take place?

Now you may think this is a rather silly question but in law it must be under a
roof. Technically those nice weddings under a tree or in a garden are not lawful

at all. This is very amusing for in 1938 we had a mass marriage ceremony in
Pretoria with the opening of the Voortrekker Monument. All the children

subsequently born were called Euphesia which is from the words" eeu fees" in
Afrikaans translating as century celebrations. The fact is all of them were

technically bastards as their parents went through an unlawful marriage in the
open veldt. I find it hilarious but since most of them are dead or dying by now I

suppose it does not matter anymore.

The law further states marriages must (not maybe) take place in a building
which besides the roof must also have open doors. Why? Obviously so that

anyone who wishes to object to the marriage may do so and have access to do
so! Thus anyone can attend the marriage but remember, not the reception which

has right of entrance refusal since it costs money. This does not mean the doors
cannot be closed to keep noise out. They must just not be locked and easily

accessible. The interesting thing here is that this means you can attend any
wedding you please in theory. However, for security reasons you will never be

allowed uninvited to the interesting ones.

It also means all those nice weddings you see underwater or on the beach is

unlawful. Those weddings mean nothing in law and I would advise you to get

married again if this is applicable on you. Properly this time!

Sadly, it happens that people marry just before death etc so other locations may

be used if one of the parties is seriously ill or injured like a hospital room. Still,
the injured one must be able to comprehend what happens. This in itself is a

good reason why consummation of a marriage is a silly idea. I don't think the
new bride wants to know her husband died of delight whilst consummating the

marriage when terminally ill. I know it sounds horrible to be blasé about it but I
am sure you get my meaning. It is not always humanely possible and then why

have silly legal arguments about it?

* I am sure there are legal exceptions which I am not aware of.

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