That is why in France the weddings is done in front of the JP than once that is done, the church wedding can take place. Both are seperate ceromonies.
Disagree with that - the understanding under the common (and not civil), is that the priests do have the right to marry under the state and such marriages are recognised as legitimate under the government.
I don’t want the French system here.
Why have the government interpose? It’s not the government that creates marriage - marriage predates the government.