What is marriage?

The best definition of a marriage in the bible, the old testament Malachi 2:14, marriage is a covenant before god. The old testament is the common religious text of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The marriage ceremony is a declaration before the public that the couple are entering into a covenant between the two of them and god, the public are the witnesses to the covenant. Marriage is not a partnership or a contract, as the are agreements where considerations are given for consideration, then accepted or rejected. Partnerships and contracts can be ended by mutual consent of all parties concerned. A covenant is of undetermined length, until death us do part. The marriage ceremony is a lawful Union of a man and a woman. A verbal declaration before the people and god is binding. If this is so why do all marriages in a religious setting have to complete a register? This is a legal wedding. What's the difference, a lawful marriage is a covenant, a legal wedding is a contract. This is why the legal system must be involved in a divorce as the parties have to dissolve a contract. A registry office or non religious wedding is just a contract and more importantly it is not a marriage!