The title asks about an emotional connection.
This thread asks about a deep emotional connection.
It is hard to imagine wanting to marry someone without a positive emotional connection.
How would an emotional connection not grow deeper between two people who are willingly, thoughtfully, considerately, gratefully, and lovingly bonded through marriage and more?
What else is there other than an emotional connection?
Perhaps having shared values, a common goal, and families that get along well could more than suffice for a marriage foundation.
If someone insists on the connection, it could be a valid demand. People change so maybe having that strong connection, commitment, and communication from before marriage may help get through obstacles.
Technically the physical connection is meant to come after marriage, and the emotional connection is often a vital component for an intimate physical connection.
For me, having a deep emotional connection to someone prior to marriage is vital. Though I am not married yet so I lack the personal experience to remark on the differencesame before and after marriage.
I think that there are at least two people who happily managed without an emotional connection from the start and approached their marriage with the faith that the deep emotional connector would come later.