Zeuhl
/// a registry office is still a wedding as you concede in your own post. In particular, it involves vows. ///
/// a CP does not. It is an officially witnessed contract signing. ///
A civil partnership can also contain vows if the couple so wish, it can include any trappings that a heterosexual marriage has, even down to a Best Man or Woman whichever the case may be.
http://www.gay-friendly-wedding-venues.com/thewordingofourceremony.php
Scroll down to Nicola
I promise
I promise to give you the best of myself
And ask of you no more than you can give.
I promise to respect you as your own person
And to realise that your interests, desires and
Needs are no less important than my own.
I promise to share with you my time and my
attention
And to bring joy, strength and imagination to
Our relationship etc, etc.
And
Laura
I belong in your arms
Finally
I have found a place
Into which
I fit
Perfectly,
Safely,
And securely with no doubts,
No fears,
No sadness,
No tears.
This place is filled
With happiness and laughter,
Yet it is spacious enough
To allow me
The freedom to move around, etc, etc.
Yes no one is stopping them from calling a civil partnership, a 'Wedding' if they so wish, so what's the big deal?