As a society, do marriages have the same meaning they once had? Social contract or legally, morally binding as a relationship measure, it means different things to different people. With the legalisation of same-sex marriages in the US and elsewhere, naysayers are already predicting a social apocalypse. With the idea of marriage diluting to a gimmick, a joke, or worse, rather than just being legally binding or the means to righting a social wrong, it's kinda on the downward slope.
In our country, for the most part, maybe they do hold significance, but elsewhere, it's a different story. Japan proved this yet again, with a robot-wedding. You heard that right!
Here's looking at some of the many reasons people, animals or things got 'married' to a significant other...
Robot wedding: An art project
A robot wedding between Frois and Yukirin. Frois just being a person in a costume, while Yukirin is an actual android. This wedding was an art project from Maywa Denki, which is known for its funny and oddball inventions, noise machines, and toys. Legally binding? Hell no!
Pet wedding: Actually for humans
Sure, when the pics are out on the internet with your pet in their best attire, getting likes from all and stranger sundry, it all sounds like fun and games. And you'll be surprised on how much planning goes into these events. But consent between the pets to be wed? Naah! It's just an ego exercise for the owners from the looks of it. Nobody understands bows and meows, 'I do' is probably Greek to your four-legged friend. But no, feel free to go ahead and get them married. Not like they can go to court and sue you for alimony, right? Funny thing is, The Guardian is reporting that so-called animal registrar is performing weddings for pets along with those for inter-species and same-sex couples. And that she won't however, marry pets to humans – though animal siblings are fine.
4-year-old patient 'marries' male nurse
This one is actually a sweet story, if you could get your mind out of the gutter. Four-year-old Abby from New York, is battling pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. As Buzzfeed recently reports, she "developed a sweet relationship with her favourite nurse, Matt Hickling. So much so, in fact, that she decided she wanted to marryhim." And she did the very next day as Hickling was "up to it". "Do you take me to be your husband?" Matt asked. "Yeah!" Abby replied, giving him a big hug. Matt would later recount on Facebook, "This day will hopefully be one our patient and her family can always look back on and smile when days are tough! I know I will!"
Woman marries truck, says 'sex life's amazing'
In 2011, Maria Griffin of San Bernadino, California, confessed that feared she was asexual for years when she was unable to feel aroused by other people.Over time she developed feelings towards vehicles, Ford Trucks in particular. No longer willing to fake affection for men, she purchased a Ford and married him in a wedding ceremony conducted by a friend. After the wedding, the married couple went on a honeymoon to a campsite. According to Maria, their sex life is healthy and active, according to reports. Not making this up, look it up.
Man marries dying cat
Uwe Mitzscherlich took his 15-year-old cat to the vet, who informed him that his asthmatic feline didn't have long to live. He decided to make their 'relationship' official. An actress, it seems, was hired to officiate and they were married. Cecilia wore a wedding dress and didn't look too happy about it.
Woman marries dolphin
Sharon Tendler married a dolphin named Cindy (who's actually a male) in a ceremony held in the Israeli town of Eilat. It was apparently "love at first sight. After fourteen years of visiting, she finally proposed via Cindy's trainer. Cindy has since passed away.
Man marries dead ex-girlfriend
Thai couple Chadil Deffy and Sarinya Kamsook dated for ten years after meeting at university. She proposed, he said no, claiming work came first. She was killed in January 2012 in a car accident. And so, guilt-ridden, he decided to 'marry' her at her funeral to right a wrong. Then he posted pictures on Facebook and video on Youtube. Publicity stunt or genuine guilt?
Woman marries herself
In 2003, artist Jennifer Hoes married herself when she turned 30, with family and friends in attendance. Hoes said, "Why not pledge allegiance to yourself in a ceremony, as the basis for completion of your life and relationships?"
Man marries computer game character
A Japanese groom, going by the alias Sal9000 married a computer game character named Nene Angegasaki from the Nintendo DS virtual dating game Love Plus some years ago. How were they going to consummate this marriage, though? And what did the game developer have to say?
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