In celebrating the union of two people committed to each other for life, the Christian community sees a public covenant — a promise made before God and the parish to live as faithful Christians in the world, and to build what the Church calls a domestic church: a home where children are raised in the faith.
Because this commitment is public and Christian by nature, the ceremony takes place in the church building, ideally the couple's own parish church. A priest or deacon must be present as the Church's official witness — but it is the couple who administer the sacrament to each other.
Preparing for marriage
We take marriage seriously, which is why we provide a period of preparation to help every couple begin married life well. Please contact your parish priest at least six months before the wedding. Couples may also enjoy the video series 'Marriage: God's Design for Life and Love' on Formed — our parish subscription makes it free (sign up at signup.formed.org with 'RCCV: St James').