The State defines marriage for civil purposes only. It cannot define marriage as a sacrament because the State has no competence in sacramental theology. And Protestant churches do not define marriage as a sacrament.

The French are nothing if not logical. In France only civil marriage is recognized by the State. A French Catholic couple will go first to the town hall for the civil ceremony, then to the church for the religious ceremony on the same or a later day.

In civil society today, marriage is essentially a private contract of limited duration. That is why our clergy should no longer act for the State in solemnizing marriage.