The phrase "alternative marriage" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when referring to a form of marriage outside of the traditional type e.g. commitment ceremonies, civil partnerships, or other non-religious based unions. For example: "The couple opted for an alternative marriage, choosing to have a commitment ceremony instead of a traditional wedding."
This seems like some male fantasy, some alternative marriage that is Hollywood".
Eventually, though, all learn that each alternative — marriage or an idealized, unrealized courtship of equals — carries its own disappointments.
But pretty much anyone can hang out a shingle as a marriage coach, relationship adviser or other uniquely labeled provider of "alternative marriage counseling" -- they just can't call the services "therapy".
In France, the country where cohabitation is an accepted form of alternative union to marriage, there is little variation in paid work hours across union type among women.
Second conception risks within cohabitation are much lower, indicating that cohabitation should not be considered "an alternative to marriage" or "indistinguishable from marriage" (Heuveline and Timberlake 2004).
This literature sees cohabitation as an alternative to marriage, a normative stage in the marriage process, a trial marriage, or an alternative to singlehood.
Love Makes a Family, which initially opposed civil unions as a poor alternative to marriage, will hold a party called "Celebrate the Love: Civil Union Today, Marriage Tomorrow" at the Four Points Sheraton in Meriden.
A tentative conclusion is that LAT is more often a stage in the union formation process than an alternative to marriage and cohabitation.
A tentative conclusion is that LAT is more often a stage in the union formation process than an alternative to marriage and cohabitation, as has been suggested by others (e.g., Castro-Martín, Domínguez-Folguers, and Martín-García 2008; Duncan and Phillips 2010).
It is so popular as an alternative to marriage that in 2010, there were four civil unions for every five marriages.
For example, for many couples, civil unions provide a secular alternative to marriage that aligns with their values.
