Marriage is an institution that has been celebrated since the dawn of time. Typically, a man and woman will stand up in front of a group of witnesses and proclaim their desire to remain in matrimony, till death do they part.
Not all marriages are as clear-cut as they could be, and that includes what a French man named Antoine Cheval decided to go through. He had been in a number of relationships and was often rejected when it came to romance, so he decided to marry himself, an act known as sologamy.
When Antoine decided to marry himself, he did so because of multiple unsuccessful relationships and proposals that didn’t go through. He started reflecting on his self-worth and wondering why he couldn’t find happiness in a relationship.
Instead of going to bat again, he decided to experience all of that on his own, committing to self-love and solidifying it through a marriage ceremony.
When it comes to marriages, this is one of the more unusual but he went all out. He said his marriage vows, had guests in attendance, and even held a reception. The only difference was, nobody else was standing at the altar with him.
Sologamy may sound unusual, but it is an emerging trend among those who are looking for personal growth but still desire to have their independence. It is not a legally binding marriage, but it is symbolic of the commitment an individual has to their own life and happiness.
Aside from some who may take a humorous stance on the subject, there are also critics who feel that it doesn’t have any legal backing, as does a traditional marriage. Proponents, however, say that it is good for your self-worth and allows people to find what they want out of life in a unique way.
These types of self-marriage ceremonies are typically similar to traditional weddings. There will be vows, rings, and sometimes guests in attendance. There is room for some personal flair when it comes to the ceremony, but often individuals work with counselors to prepare for the big day.
Antoine is only one example of those who choose self-marriage. It is something that is gaining in popularity and may have had a start when a British photographer, Sophie Tanner, married herself in 2014.
Others who choose this form of marriage include an Italian fitness trainer, Laura Mesi who married herself in 2017. Kshama Bindu, who identifies as bisexual also married herself in 2022. She wanted to have the joy of being a bride but she didn’t want a partner.
In the end, it is really up to the individual as to whether they are going to pursue this type of self-love or if they’re going to choose another route. It may or may not be our cup of tea, but it sure is interesting to watch.
