h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

If you are planning to get married in France you have to get married in the 'Marie', the Town hall first. If you want to have a church ceremony they will request the "Livret de Famille", an official family book where marriages and births are registered and you receive only when you get married. Prior to getting married (which by the way you should count at least 3 months of administrative crap) both groom and bride should undergo a thourough medical examination, not only to determine that you are free of AIDS and other diseases but also to verify blood compatability. This was quite a shock to me but the French explained to me that people normally get married in order to produce children together and both partners should be aware of any health issues that would prevent them from producing healthy children prior to their marital engagement. Which when you think about it has its logic.