Is a legal ceremony required for a marriage in God's eyes?

Weddings are traditions of men.

Marriage as defined by God is a man and a woman becoming one flesh which basically means sex.

The governments and religions have muddied the waters by legalizing the ceremony which most of the time violates God's own requirement:

Matt 5: 33“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

So, whatever you do, do not forget God. Give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar and to God what is God's

My conviction would be, yes, and those who aren't legally married are living in sin (with the exception of a young engaged couple who might be shipwrecked on a desert island or something weird like that).

Notice this verse:

Matt 5: 31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Jesus is quoting from the Law regarding this subject (Deut 24:1). So, in God's economy for ancient Israel, he established legal recognition for divorce. Do you really think there wasn't a process for legal recognition of marriage?

Additionally, would a Christian, who should be intent on presenting a good witness to the world, avoid marriage?

Societal expectations have been eroded, but I think there is still some stigma upon a child if his parents are not married.

I only bring up this topic because I've heard a few older professing Christians express this idea that marriage isn't required to cohabitate and enjoy the sexual benefits of marriage. Usually they are following theologies that are very independent and separated from the normal evangelical experience. In fact, some of them are legalistic and claim that the Mosaic Law is still in effect. This is really bizarre because for all their professed attentiveness to minor aspects of the Mosaic Covenant, they are disrespectful toward the institution of marriage.

My conviction would be, yes, and those who aren't legally married are living in sin...

Not exactly what you’re talking about per se but why was it ok for David to have untold multiple wives and concubines?

While God did not call polygamy a sin in the OT, the original principle of one husband and one wife was established in Eden, confirmed by Christ, and also by the apostles. The spiritual leaders of the churches (the elders) were to show by example that they were husbands with only one wife.

So it was not really OK for David, but God allowed it and David paid a price for it. Solomon paid and even greater price.

Not exactly what you’re talking about per se but why was it ok for David to have untold multiple wives and concubines? Was there a ceremony for each of them?

Well from a dispensations' point of view, as times and circumstances change so do rules like how many wives can we have? Or what if there's no officials available? The better question is what is the motivation? What God has put together let no man put asunder.

Not exactly what you’re talking about per se but why was it ok for David to have untold multiple wives and concubines? Was there a ceremony for each of them?

I don't know of a place in the bible where it calls for a man to only have one wife EXCEPT if is he's going to be a bishop.

since a Bishop was to set an example, hello doodles?

get the drift?

I cannot believe..well yes I can but introducing this nonsense again proves what exactly?

Mormons know better?

Maybe one day I can be the Christian you are.

I doubt it since you are KJV only

Do you get off on putting people down and making fun at them?

no actually

your ad hominum attack is sad