Rates of marriage in the EU - and particularly Western Europe - have been on a steady decline in the last three decades, and Belgium's rate of four per 1,000 residents is still lower than the 4.9 EU average. Part of this can be attributed to its very liberal stance towards partnerships: Belgium is a strong proponent of allowing couples, both gay and straight, many of the same rights without the backing of a marriage certificate.

If a couple legally registers their partnership, they are responsible for any joint expenses of the household while also both benefiting from any assets acquired during the partnership.

Valerie Dullaerts, from Erpe-Mere, East Flanders, has been with her partner Björn Heindryckx for six years and recently had a child. "For me, marriage is not important," she says. "We have a legal document, wettelijk samenwonen (legal civil union), and have - almost - the same rights as a married couple. I'm glad that we have the legal document, as it's reassuring to know that everything is OK for our child should something happen to us in the future."

This written declaration, available to Belgian residents, establishes that each individual file separately for taxes and social security. Lawyer Marc Quaghebeur of Vandendijk & Partners in Brussels clarifies the differences between being married and being registered. "Not being married means that, as a couple, you don't qualify for all the same benefits, such as social security or the pension of your spouse after death, plus there is no extension of Belgian nationality or immigration assistance."

Many legal benefits of marriage are financial, and this eventually compelled Evelyne, 32, and Pieter, 33, of Ghent to set a date to get married this summer, after more than a decade together. "When we purchased a house together four years ago, for us that was a bigger commitment than getting married," says Evelyne. "After 12 years, I don't need a marriage certificate to show I love Pieter, but on the other hand there is an extra financial benefit, so that's also something to think about."

As she and Pieter plan their non-traditional ceremony in Las Vegas, she says: "I'd love to be able to say to people with pride that Pieter is my husband. But aside from that, getting married offers nothing more than what our relationship means to me now - but with the added benefit of the legal mumbo jumbo."

That legal mumbo jumbo appeals not just to her and Pieter but also to same-sex couples who aren't often afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples in other countries. In 2003, Belgium rectified that by being the second country in the world to open up marriage to same-sex couples.

Gentenaar Kyra Mistiaen, 33, who has been with her partner for eight years, also chose marriage for the ease it can provide. "It had only been a few years since we've been allowed to get married as a gay couple, so we started thinking about it. It would make things easier when having a child and buying a house."

Not deciding not to...necessarily
But for a number of couples, the motivations for getting married just aren't compelling enough. "Legally registered couples and married couples are treated very similarly," says Quaghebeur.

In fact, the legal benefits of getting married aren't strong enough for Quaghebeur to recommend getting married. "You get married if you have a specific need, or at a later age when you have more wealth or property; so providing your spouse more rights and security would be the incentive," he says. "For young couple, there is a small tax saving if one of the two isn't working. There are some medical benefits. But generally speaking, there is no real incentive to get married."

Gabriel Reid, a Canadian living in Ghent with his Flemish partner Sylvie Lierman for the past three years, agrees. "To be honest, neither of us really thinks about getting married at all," the 33-year-old says. "It's more something we just haven't decided to do, as opposed to something we've actively decided not to do."

The reasons to get married or not tend to come down to each couple and their own personal reasons. So is there no longer a sentimental element? While the legal aspects are what led Mistiaen to get married, further conversation reveals something more. "It means that I will and want to spend the rest of my days with the person I love, all written on a little piece of paper. Plus, it was the most romantic thing to do, and we had the best party ever!"

Those who don't get married often respect that romantic idea but don't necessarily believe it themselves. "Being married means whatever it means to people who decide to get married," says Reid. "If a wedding is the product of love between two people, then that's what it means for those people - a symbol of their love for each other. You can compare it to religion: some people are religious and some aren't, but those who aren't generally don't go out of their way to make a conscious decision to not be religious. They just aren't. On its own, marriage doesn't have any specific meaning to me."

And just like religion, sometimes it takes a little faith. Although Quaghebeur doesn't see the legal benefit of being married, this hasn't stopped him being married for more than 20 years. "I think it's a step in your relationship to commit for the rest of your life. Taking a jump together into the void and knowing it's going to workout."

Belgian marriage numbers:

In 1970, 90% of women, 86% of men aged 30-34 were married
In 1991, 79% of women and 72% of men were married
In 2006, 55% of women and 44% of men were married

This isn't just because people are marrying at a later age:
In 1970, 88% and 88% aged 40-44 were married
In 2006, 68% and 65% aged 40-44 were married
from www.un.org/esa/population

How to get married in Belgium

1 Well, first you have to live in the country! If someone resides in Belgium for a minimum of three months, they are legally allowed to marry here

2 Go to the marriage office in the town in which you live, which might be in the gemeentehuis (town hall) or a separate administrative centre. You'll sign a huwelijksaangifte, which states that you will be getting married anywhere from two weeks to six months in the future. If you don't get married within this period of time, you have to get another huwelijksaangifte

3 You'll need to give them some information such as: wedding date, if there are any pre-nuptial agreements, names of witnesses, where you'll live after getting married and important details such as whether either of you has children

4 Get married at your town hall in a civil ceremony. Church comes after, if you're so inclined, but Belgian law only recognises the civil service

5 Bring both parties' original birth certificates and certificate of residence, plus proof of marital status. These need to be quite official, so check with your embassy to make sure they'll be accepted as legal documents

6 This civil service can be free, but if you want upgrades such as specific times, dates or a more regal, impressive room, there are fees

7 Get your marriage certificate! Legal proof that you're now a newlywed couple