You’re newly engaged and starting the task of planning your wedding. Many decisions will need to be made starting now until your wedding day. What flowers should you choose? What style of dress do you like? When do we send the invitations? These are just a few of the questions you might consider, but eventually, you’ll get to the biggest one. Where should we get married? 

This is a BIG decision to make. Whatever location you choose is where you will join your spouse in the most beautiful covenant. There are thousands, if not millions, of places to choose from when it comes to your wedding, which is why I’m going to let you in on one a secret. The best place to get married is in the Catholic Church.

Before you make any big decisions, a distinction needs to be made. Your wedding ceremony and reception are two different things, and both serve a purpose on your wedding day. Your wedding ceremony is where you profess your vows as bride and groom, and your reception is where you and your guests celebrate your love.

My husband and I recently got married in December of 2021 in the Catholic Church. While preparing for the vocation of marriage, we attended marriage prep classes with the priest marrying us. During our first meeting, he said something that stuck with us for the rest of the wedding planning process. Our priest flat out told us that the wedding wasn’t important. At first, we were a little caught off guard, but then he went into more detail. He stated our wedding day is just one day, but our marriage is forever, which is the most important thing. He was there to help us prepare for our marriage, not plan our wedding day, and honestly, he was right.

The best way to start your marriage journey is to celebrate with the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the only place you will find the most authentic example of love that we all should strive for, married or not. When you begin your first moments as husband and wife celebrating in the Lord’s infinite love for you, everything else will fall into place. I promise!

It can be so easy to get lost in small details of planning a wedding that you forget about the whole reason you’re there. Your wedding day is meant to join you and your spouse in a life of faithfulness, fruitfulness, and selfless love. You’ve found the person you love with your whole self that you want to cherish for the rest of your life, and that is something to be celebrated. 

If you’re looking for simple ways to add some personal details to your ceremony, be sure to check in with your church beforehand. Many Catholic Churches prefer to leave the altar untouched by outside decor, but there may be other places you can typically add your own personal touches to. Ask your church about music choice, florals, programs, welcome signs, and even send-offs! Flowers can be hung from the side of pews, programs can match your reception decor, and so much more. 

Allen R. Hunt once said that “cathedrals and churches architecturally prepare our souls for the beauty of the Eucharist” and he was right. When you get married in the church, not only will you experience beauty in the details, but you’ll be joined in love with Christ.