Marriage is sacred. Read Matthew 1:19- the betrothal provided conjugal rights. It says Joseph took Mary as his wife. A betrothal provided conjugal rights. It does say seek understanding and not frustrate yourself under the peace of the law.

Read Matthew 1:19- the betrothal provided conjugal rights. It says Joseph took Mary as his wife.  A betrothal provided conjugal rights. It does say seek understanding and not frustrate yourself under the peace of the law.   A ceremony can come later. No one is judging you. But, you were taught that a couple is living in sin unless they have a ceremony.  How can you cheat on a girlfriend unless there is a contract involved?  Everyone will agree you cheated if you cheated. Are you living in sin to have a girlfriend whose mother will accuse you of cheating if you are nice to a waitress?  Are you living in sin to have a girlfriend that you live with if you are genuinely committed? You would be sinning if you cheat on her.  Some say have a ceremony in due course if you wish.  But, it is not God's law judging you if you don't and some say register a marriage license as soon as you are ready but when playing "rock, paper, pen" the pen wins every time.  If you have no ceremony and just stay blessedly faithful to each other, you are certainly a blessed testimony. In either case, marriage is sacred. See Matthew 5.