Blockchain Wedding

• Blockchain Council
• August 27, 2024

What is a Blockchain Wedding?

A Blockchain wedding is a modern twist on traditional nuptials where the marriage is recorded on a Blockchain. This method leverages the secure, transparent, and immutable nature of Blockchain technology to document the marriage contract. By doing so, the couple’s commitment (the marriage certificate) is permanently inscribed in a digital ledger, which can be publicly verified but cannot be tampered with or altered.

This concept symbolizes the permanence and transparency of the union, often appealing to tech-savvy couples who value these principles. Some couples have even exchanged digital tokens as part of their vows, adding a unique and futuristic touch to their wedding ceremony.

How Does Blockchain Wedding Works?

• Smart Contract Creation: A coder writes a smart contract, which is essentially a set of digital rules and actions agreed upon by the couple. This contract can include the terms of the marriage, and in some cases, how assets should be handled in the event of a divorce.
• NFTs and Tokens: During the ceremony, couples can exchange Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) that represent their vows, rings, or other symbolic items. These tokens are unique and are stored on the Blockchain, providing a public, permanent record of the exchange.
• Signing the Contract: The couple uses their private keys to sign the contract, making it official and unchangeable without both parties’ consent. This ensures transparency and security.
• Transaction and Verification: The smart contract processes the marriage as a transaction. This involves the couple confirming their commitment (similar to signing a marriage license), and then the contract executes the agreed terms, such as transferring NFTs. The transaction is verified by the network (through mining in Proof of Work systems or validation in Proof of Stake systems), ensuring it adheres to the Blockchain’s rules and is recorded permanently.
• Public Record: Once added to the Blockchain, the record of the marriage is immutable, meaning it cannot be changed or deleted. This provides a transparent and lasting record of the union that is publicly accessible.

Some Blockchain weddings include a “digital priest” who oversees the process online. This digital officiant may add a ceremonial touch, blessing the union in a note attached to the NFT transaction.

What is NFT marriage?

NFT marriage involves creating a digital marriage certificate in the form of a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). This concept is quite recent and typically takes place within virtual environments like the Metaverse. For example, Closeup introduced a platform where couples can marry in a virtual setting, represented by their digital avatars, and receive an NFT as a certificate of their union. 

 In an NFT marriage, the couple creates and exchanges digital tokens that symbolize their marriage, often minted on platforms like Ethereum. These tokens can include personalized elements such as vows or digital wedding rings. Each partner has a digital wallet. After the vows are minted as an NFT, it is transferred to one partner’s wallet and then to the other’s, symbolizing the exchange of vows and commitment.

Although this form of marriage is not legally binding, it represents a symbolic commitment between partners, celebrating their relationship in a novel, digital format. This is particularly significant for couples who face legal or social barriers to marriage in the real world.

Can you get married on Blockchain?

Yes, you can conduct a marriage ceremony on the Blockchain, which includes registering the union, creating a joint digital wallet, and even issuing an NFT marriage certificate. This doesn’t replace a legal marriage but serves as a digital acknowledgment of the couple’s relationship. Platforms like “Marriage-Chain” on GitHub offer services where couples can register their marriage and maintain joint accounts using Blockchain technology. The process is designed to be straightforward and caters to the digital aspect of modern relationships.

These digital forms of marriage are gaining popularity for their innovative approach to symbolizing unions in the digital age, though they do not replace traditional, legally recognized marriages. They offer a unique way for couples to express their commitment in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

India’s First Blockchain Wedding

In India, the first Blockchain wedding was conducted by Anil Narasipuram and Shruti Nair from Pune in November 2021. They decided to use Blockchain technology to solemnize their marriage in addition to their traditional court wedding. The couple used Ethereum, a popular cryptocurrency, to create a smart contract that included their wedding vows. This contract was represented by an NFT (Non-Fungible Token), which is a unique digital asset. The NFT contained an image of Shruti’s engagement ring with their vows embedded within it.

The digital ceremony was officiated by a “digital priest” and was attended by family and friends via Google Meet. The NFT was minted on OpenSea, a major NFT marketplace, and then transferred to Shruti’s digital wallet, marking the completion of the Blockchain wedding. The entire ceremony, including the Blockchain transaction, lasted about 15 minutes. This transaction took a few minutes and cost around $35 in Ethereum gas fees. The event highlighted how Blockchain technology can create permanent, immutable records of personal commitments​.

More Examples of Blockchain Wedding

• One of the earliest instances of a Blockchain wedding was in 2014, when David Mondrus and Joyce Bayo became the first couple to register their marriage on the Blockchain. This pioneering event showcased the potential for using Blockchain to formalize and secure marriage agreements without the need for traditional state systems​.
• Oles Slobodenyuk and Irina Dukhnovskaya, celebrated their wedding in July 2016 by registering it on a Blockchain platform called Weddingbook.io. This platform enabled them to permanently record their marriage certificate, along with a list of witnesses and their wedding vows, using the capabilities of Cryptograffiti. This example highlights the use of Blockchain to not only secure the legality and permanence of a marriage but also to embed personal and significant details of the event in a secure and unalterable form​.
• Gaurang Torvekar and Sayalee Kaluskar, both involved in the tech industry, chose a unique way to solidify their union by using a Blockchain smart contract for their prenuptial agreement. They uploaded their prenup on the Ethereum Blockchain, using a template they created that includes personal agreements about daily activities and decisions. This event took place in December 2016, marking an innovative use of Blockchain technology in personal contracts​​.
• Vasily Lifanovsky and Alla Tkachenko, a couple from Russia, registered their marriage on the Blockchain in October 2017. They utilized the MyWish Platform, which allowed them to manage their cryptocurrency assets jointly. Their marriage contract included provisions for the management and eventual division of these assets, showcasing how Blockchain can facilitate not only the secure documentation of marriage but also the practical financial management within it​.
• In 2018, another notable Blockchain wedding involved Lukas Götz, CEO of block42, and his wife. Their wedding was not only about celebrating their union but also about demonstrating the flexibility of smart contracts. These contracts allowed them to dynamically manage and adjust their marital agreements and assets as their relationship evolved over time​.
• More recently, in April 2021, Coinbase employees Rebecca Rose and Peter Kacherginsky took a unique spin on Blockchain weddings by exchanging NFT (Non-Fungible Token) rings. These digital rings, named “Tabaat,” symbolize their commitment and are recorded on the Blockchain, providing a permanent and public declaration of their marriage​.

Conclusion

Blockchain weddings are changing the way couples plan and celebrate their big day. By using this technology, couples can enjoy more secure and personalized wedding experiences. As more people learn about the benefits, it’s likely that Blockchain will become a popular choice for weddings in the future.

FAQs

What is a Blockchain wedding?

• A Blockchain wedding records the marriage contract on a Blockchain.
• It uses smart contracts and NFTs for a secure and immutable record.
• Couples can exchange digital tokens as part of their vows.

How does a Blockchain wedding work?

• A coder creates a smart contract with the marriage terms.
• Couples exchange NFTs representing their vows or rings.
• Both parties use private keys to sign the contract, making it official.
• The transaction is verified and recorded permanently on the Blockchain.

Are Blockchain weddings legally binding?

• No, Blockchain weddings are not legally recognized.
• They serve as a symbolic commitment rather than a legal one.
• Couples can still have a traditional legal wedding alongside a Blockchain ceremony.

What are the benefits of a Blockchain wedding?

• Provides a secure and tamper-proof record of the marriage.
• Offers a unique and personalized way to symbolize the union.
• Appeals to tech-savvy couples who value transparency and innovation.