In theory, "love will be strong enough to bind us together" is true. but it just does not work in real life ("on paper", as it were )

As far as the piece of paper goes, it's not "back up" as you put it. It's the wax seal on the letter. It's the icing on the cake, it's the... you get what I mean.

I used to think that marriage was just a legal contract and a piece of paper. But there is something that comes over you, almost like a magic spell, when you say your vows to your new spouse in front of a witness. It is a magic I can't explain. Not only do I think it was worth it, our relationship is better. It is also more challenging, but that crap only comes from the new legal crap like TAXES and MORTGAGE.

I completely agree. There is something that adds to the relationship when you vow before friends and family that this is the person that you want to be your other half. That this is the person you want to share EVERYTHING with. The good as well as the absolute worse. Something about speaking teh vows publicly (as well as in front of God, for me), binds you and adds to the relationship.
Although, as pointed out, it is important to know, understand, and agree with the reasons for the marriage. Many of my friends who are divorced, agree now that they got married for the wrong reasons. They were too idealistic(thought they would change after being married), too young, thought it was time, everyone else there age was, their spouse wanted to, their famalies wanted them to, they didn't put enough thought into what it meant beyond getting the 'wedding of their dreams', etc, etc. I think going through some pre-marital counseling would have helped them.
If you get married for the right reasons I think that it can add so much more to the relationship