An Alliance amendment which would have allowed for churches to retain independence on the issue, received 46 votes for, 51 against.
Judith Cochrane and Kieran McCarthy, both Alliance MLAs, abstained from their party's amendment while Trevor Lunn voted against it.
Sinn Féin tabled the motion calling for same-sex marriage to be legalised in Northern Ireland, after MPs in England and Wales recently made it legal there.
The DUP lodged a petition of concern in a bid to block the motion last week, meaning the proposal needed cross-community support to pass.
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Caitríona Ruane said she was disappointed that the Assembly "missed an opportunity to bring equality to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community on the issue of marriage".
"The issue of marriage equality does not threaten anybody nor does to attack the sacrament of marriage in the various religious institutions, but rather is more about equality and rights," she said.
"Two gay people should have the same rights in marriage as currently held by heterosexual couples. This was supported overwhelmingly in the recent constitutional convention held in Dublin."
"The issue of marriage equality does not threaten anybody nor does to attack the sacrament of marriage in the various religious institutions, but rather is more about equality and rights," she said.
"Two gay people should have the same rights in marriage as currently held by heterosexual couples. This was supported overwhelmingly in the recent constitutional convention held in Dublin."
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