How did people get married in the 1800s?

Depends where you were located. If you were in England, in the early half of that century, you'd go to Gretna Green, which was just over the line in Scotland and famous for elopements, and anyone could wed you as long as you had 2 witnesses.

In the US, you'd need an authorized clergyman or judge or municipal official. To elope, you'd travel someplace you weren't known.

A local judge/magistrate/justice of the peace could perform a short ceremony and issue a marriage license to two consenting adults, in the presence of witnesses. This would be the likely route for an elopement.

A typical marriage could take place in a local church, or at the family home with a judge or clergyman. A marriage license would be obtained either way.

Are you asking about any particular country, or section of society?

In Britain the traditional venue for eloping couples from England was Gretna Green, the first town across the border in Scotland. Scottish law permitted marriage without any delay of weeks for 'calling the banns' or acquisition of a 'special licence'. So as long as the anxious couple was more than an hour or so ahead of the persuing angry parents then the deed was done.

The same way they get married today.

Of course you tended to live with your family if you were a girl until the time you got married.

You were married by your family minister.

Most people did not travel more than 20 miles from where they were born.

I'm not an expert in history , but I remember from history and literature classes a little bit:

-In 1800 and later in history, you should marry , make children and be good human being.Duh

-The 2 people who would get married would get in contact from the young age(2-6 years old) by their parents.

-Parents would choose the person which their child would marry. And the person should be educated , rich and have good reputation. Sometimes , people would deal with each to marry their children together , so they'd benefit themselves.

-People should marry only people from their own countries/of the same race and opposite sex , according to the society or else they're not acceptable.

-People would get from a very young like 16 years old in some countries , and in some other they would sort-of-marry them , in other words establish their marriage-hood from the age of 10 years old.

-Sometimes , mostly girls , would get married with a man years or even decades older than them.

-Girls should be virgins before marriage , or else they would be some sort of prostitutes.

-Like in modern marriages , there were lots of preparations and celeberation.

-Sometimes people would get married to people they didn't want to , but their family wanted.

-Man was always right

no license or fees but a Preacher or Judge was a must...also you had to "eat the cake"