Before we take a close look at the history and legalities of proxy marriage, we need to explain what a "proxy marriage" is. A proxy marriage occurs when a wedding ceremony (religious or civil) takes place and one of the people getting married is not present. A "double proxy marriage" occurs when neither of the two people getting married are present. Neither party can be married without their consent and in many places a written letter of "intent to marry" is required before the ceremony can take place.
The origin of proxy marriages takes place back in the 15th century in Europe. The custom originated from marriages among European monarchs and the nobility. These marriages were political alliances and in many cases the two parties had never met each other before the marriage. Due to the fact that travel at that time was both slow and dangerous, marriage alliances could be conducted more speedily and safely if the prospective bride or groom did not have to travel to the other partners country for the marriage ceremony. This protected both countries from broken treaties and failed alliances that would have occurred if the bride or groom died or was kidnapped on the way to the ceremony, especially in times of war.
From that time, proxy marriages spread around the world and many cultures.
In the early 1900's many of the Japanese brides that arrived in California had been married by proxy marriages. These women were traveling half way around the world to join their contracted spouses. Being married made their travelling by themselves "respectable".
Many of the "mail order brides" in the US were married by proxy before departing to meet their husbands out west; instead of traveling by themselves as single women through unsettled territories. Since their travel was being paid for by the prospective groom, this ensured that the groom "got what he paid for".
As travel improved and women won rights, proxy marriages declined because they were no longer necessary. A single women could travel safely alone and would arrive at her destination in just a few days instead of weeks or months.
World War I and World War II brought proxy marriages back into popularity. Many servicemen stationed overseas availed themselves of proxy marriages to ensure financial security and military benefits for the girls they left behind. Since it was not possible for them to just hurry home when a fiancee discovered she was expecting a child and the couple had not yet married; proxy weddings ensured that many children were born in wedlock instead of to unwed mothers. Proxy weddings also protected fiancees financially if their loved one did not make it back from the war.
After the end of WWII, proxy weddings have again fallen out of favor. Currently, California, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, and Texas still permit proxy marriages. California only allows them if one of the parties is active duty military and stationed overseas. Montana is the only state that permits "double proxy" marriages.
These proxy marriages are legal and binding in all 50 states as long as they take place in a state where proxy marriage is legal. Proxy marriage can only be terminated through death, annulment, or divorce.
Proxy marriages are still popular in Mexico and Paraguay and the Israeli government recognizes proxy marriages between Israeli citizens that take place a Paraguay embassy.
The most famous recent proxy marriage took place on August 10, 2003 between Ekaterina Dmitriev (located in Texas) and Yuri Malenchenko aboard the International Space Station. This was the first "space wedding".
Will we continue to have proxy marriages? As long as we have military personnel stationed overseas; and, if we send more people into space, I predict this form of wedding will continue to be used by people who are separated from loved ones; but, still desire to be married to each other.