Whether you support it or not, history is being made today by same-sex couples across the country. Marriage law has always evolved to meet the needs of the people making use of it. Laws relating to the age at which you can get married, the licensing of marriage venues, whether you may marry a widowed brother-in-law or sister-in-law, and the civil registration of marriage have all been passed since 1800. The age of marriage was only raised to 16 in 1929, before this a girl aged 12 or a boy aged 14 could marry with their parents' consent.
Yes, marriage law has come a long way since the time when all that was needed was for a couple to state their intention to marry (they could even, at one time, do this in private - no witness need be present,) and (ahem) consummate the union, for it to be binding. This is just one more step.
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