There is actually nothing wrong with church or court marriage and people who are scared of it seems to be unreal to me because why wouldn't you want such marriage if not because you are scared of repercussions if you eventually break the oath of marriage.
He might have a change of heart if you had spoken about it then.
I could not wait for a talk then, I thought he was the only one in that shoe.
If I encounter such person now, I believe a counselor will be able to help