The Future of Marriage: Blockchain Weddings | Notum

Intro

Everything is changing, and quite quickly. That's a normal and even a truistic thing thanks to all our new technologies. But have you ever heard about virtual weddings and NFT marriage certificates? We found that interesting to investigate the topic and learn a bit more, so join us in our curiosity. But, first, let's cover some basics, such as a blockchain and an NFT.

What Is a Blockchain?

Blockchain is a digital database storing 'blocks' of data chronologically. These blocks are linked together as a 'chain.' Unlike traditional databases with a third party or intermediary, blockchain is completely decentralized.

This allows to 'escape' that no third parties can monitor or interfere with transactions. The blockchain system is usually automated, thanks to a P2P computer network of nodes (individual computers) that verify all new data and distribute cross-network copies of the blockchain to keep it secure.

Don't confuse blockchain with bitcoin. Bitcoin transactions aren't possible without blockchain technology, but they are entirely different. Bitcoin is a virtual currency; blockchain is the underlying technology that makes secure transactions possible for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 

What Is an NFT?

A non-fungible token (an NFT) is a unique unit of data on a blockchain linked to digital and physical objects with unchangeable proof of ownership. 

The data an NFT can contain digital images, songs, videos, documents, virtual property, avatars, and anything else. They can also provide an NFT owner exclusive access to merchandise, live or digital events tickets, or be tied to physical assets like cars, houses, etc.

So, NFTs empower individuals to create, buy, and sell items in an easily verifiable way using blockchain technology. 

That's relatively easy to start creating and selling an NFT. Just follow these steps:

1. A person (or company) selects an exclusive asset to sell as an NFT.
2. They add the object to a blockchain supporting NFTs via a "minting" process, which creates the NFT.
3. The NFT now embodies that item on the blockchain, verifying proof of ownership in an unchangeable record.
4. The NFT can be kept in a private collection or bought, sold, and traded using NFT marketplaces and auctions.

What Is a Metaverse?

Here's the last concept we need to understand better — it's called a Metaverse, and it's quite a buzzword nowadays. 

So, a metaverse is an interactive, immersive, and super-realistic shared virtual space. It can also include your own customized avatar and digital assets.
Here are some essential traits which can help you to define the Metaverse deeper:

1. Infrastructure
   What does back the Metaverse? The infrastructure includes technologies like Wi-Fi, cloud computing, and 5G and employs high-tech electronics such as GPUs.
2. Human Interface Technologies
   Such technologies as VR headsets, haptics, AR glasses, and alike make it possible to join the Metaverse and help transport users into the infinite immersive spaces of the Metaverse.
3. Digital Avatars
   Users can make digital avatars for expressing their moods and personal traits in the Metaverse. A person can even take a digital replica of their favorite superhero or any other character.
4. Decentralization
   The Metaverse paints an open, shared world where users can move across platforms. In the Metaverse, users can create their own virtual experiences and assets with economic value with an opportunity to trade them freely without centralized authorities.
5. Security 
   The Metaverse offers security features as ethical and privacy standards in the ecosystem. 
6. Persistence
   When you put on your VR headsets, you can immerse yourself in the virtual world of the Metaverse. But the Metaverse doesn't disappear when you take your headsets off and continues running even when you are plugged out. It reminds an online game where the other players continue playing the game, even if you are not there. 
7. Creator Economy
   The Metaverse is becoming a platform not just for meeting and social interaction but also for selling and trading goods, entertainment, and services. That's a place where brands and creators can meet to capitalize on this opportunity. 

What Is a Marriage NFT Certificate? 

So, now that we clearly understand blockchain technology and an NFT, we can embrace the idea of a digital marriage certificate. 

Closeup, Unilever's oral care brand, has created a non-fungible token (an NFT) marriage certificate that identifies all couples in a relationship within the Metaverse.

Closeup solves such a sensitive issue as couples being denied the right to marry because of some prejudices caused by race, faith, and sexual orientation. However, the NFT certificate is not legally binding.

The venue is called 'Closeup City Hall of Love,' and MullenLowe created it. Couples can create their avatars to make a proposal to their partners and choose a celebrant in Decentraland to sign their NFT marriage certificate.

Hooray, we've made that through! Now we're fully prepared for our first metaverse wedding story with a complete understanding of who is who and what is what! Congrats!

First Blockchain Marriage Ever

NFT Vows? A virtual priest? These are not just random words for an Indian couple who is considered the first to make the Metaverse wedding work.  

Abhijeet and Sansrati, who got married on Saturday, February 5th, 2022, are the first Indian couple to get married on a Metaverse. The wedding was on Yug Metaverse. Two media agency brands, Wavemaker India for ITC Ltd and Matrimony.com, conceptualized, organized, and executed the wedding.

There were the digital avatars of the couple having their wedding ceremony in a beachside venue where the guests with their digital avatars. The wedding took place on February 5th, 2022, from 8 pm to 9 pm, coinciding with the physical event in Bhopal.

Abhijeet Goel, a tech entrepreneur, and Dr. Sansrati Jain, a pedodontist, met each other online through a website. They decided to become one but wanted their close friends and family worldwide to become a part of their special day. That's where it all began — they've decided to use a virtual platform where everyone can join in their wedding.

Abhijeet and Sansrati wanted a picturesque beachside wedding environment for their guests that could be accessed with the Yug platform. More than 500 people registered for the wedding. Virtual guests could change their avatars, walk through and even enjoy the dancing floor. 

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