
In my humble opinion, eternal bond is all intent and purposes marriage in the game. They opened it up because they wanted to be able to allow "same-sex couples" to bond while not making people be super mad that it was marriage.
Notice that before they fully announced eternal bond, this image
![[Image: FFXIV_Wedding.jpg]](http://semna30.webs.com/FFXIV_Wedding.jpg)
IMO, it's pure PR that they made it eternal bond, avoiding the use of the word marriage. Some interview, I forgot where, they also had someone, pretty much make a freudian slip almost calling it a marriage and they all go "Oh! Oh wait no not marriage, eternal bond!"
Notice that before they fully announced eternal bond, this image
![[Image: FFXIV_Wedding.jpg]](http://semna30.webs.com/FFXIV_Wedding.jpg)
IMO, it's pure PR that they made it eternal bond, avoiding the use of the word marriage. Some interview, I forgot where, they also had someone, pretty much make a freudian slip almost calling it a marriage and they all go "Oh! Oh wait no not marriage, eternal bond!"