[West Ender]

Anne, why should a wedding cost a ridiculous amount? My son married 8 years ago, in a Registry Office, a short but pleasant ceremony with just a few guests. They had been living together for 13 years but decided to make it "permanent". He wore his nice suit, my daughter-in-law bought a dress she's worn loads of times since, and we had a meal at a local hotel - we all paid for our own. The wedding cost very little but they are as much married as anyone else. There's no more commitment in wearing a white dress and a veil and having a huge party, that's just a display.

I said before, it's the choice of the individuals whether to marry or not but it's a question of legality. When you consider that same-sex couples have fought for, and got, the right to have a legal contract drawn up to give them "married" rights why should those who won't legally commit themselves have those rights by default? Call it marriage or what ever you like, no contract - no rights.