Sologamy or autogamy is
marriage by a person to themself. Supporters of the practice argue that it affirms one's own value[1] and leads to a happier life.[2][3] Critics argue that the practice is not legally binding unlike traditional marriage as well as rooted in
narcissism and
self-aggrandizement.[4]
Ceremonies in a self-marriage may take almost exactly the same form as that of a traditional marriage, which includes guests, a
cake, and a
reception.[9] Some self-marrying programs include giving guidance, practice, and support prior to the marriage.[10]
Self-marriage has become increasingly popular in the 21st century, especially among affluent women.[9][11] As of 2014[update], a travel agency in
Kyoto is offering self-marriage packages for women, with some customers being wives who were dissatisfied with their original wedding.[12] Some media outlets also reported the self-marriage of a British photographer in 2014[13] and an Italian fitness trainer in 2017.[9][14] In June 2022, Kshama Bindu, an Indian woman from
Gujarat, married herself, following all rituals and customs of a traditional
Hindu wedding. This was noted as India's first sologamy.[15][16] She identified herself as bisexual and her reason for marrying herself is that she always wanted to be a bride but not a wife.[17]
In July 2023, the italian visual artist Elena Ketra brought the digital performance ‘
Sologamy.org‘ in an international preview in Rome, presented by the Fondazione Solares delle Arti.[18] For the first time, all the people could marry themselves online, entering their data to a touchscreen and ‘by virtue of art and love’, with also a free certificate attesting to their sologamous marriage.
Sologamy is the subject of the award-winning 2010 British short comedy film The Man Who Married Himself, based on a short story by Charlie Fish that was first published in 1999.[23]
In the 2016
Ben Stiller movie Zoolander 2, the nonbinary model All (portrayed by
Benedict Cumberbatch) is married to themself, as it's told that "monomarriage is finally legal in Italy".