"Make [your wedding] a real celebration – because marriage is a celebration – a Christian celebration, not a worldly feast! … What happened in Cana 2,000 years ago, happens today at every wedding celebration: that which makes your wedding full and profoundly true will be the presence of the Lord who reveals himself and gives his grace. It is his presence that offers the 'good wine', he is the secret to full joy, that which truly warms the heart.
"It is good that your wedding be simple and make what is truly important stand out. Some are more concerned with the exterior details, with the banquet, the photographs, the clothes, the flowers…These are important for a celebration, but only if they point to the real reason for your joy: the Lord's blessing on your love."
For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to his or her spouse. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values, and a living out of one's baptism.
Marriage is a serious and sacred covenant. As soon as a couple is seriously considering marriage they should contact the Parish Office to set an appointment with the Pastor/Deacon for marriage preparation. This should be taken care of before any other permanent arrangements are made for the wedding date and reception; minimally, six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. St. Veronica Marriage Guidelines may be found here.
All couples are required to attend an Engaged Encounter weekend prior to the marriage ceremony. Go to the following link for details: https://cincinnati-covington.engagedencounter.com/
A Pastoral Letter of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
"By using the image of the relationship between bridegroom and bride to explain the relationship between Christ and the Church, the Scriptures are appealing to a natural human relationship that is already well known. All of us know something about the depth, the intimacy, and the beauty of the gift of self that occurs in the marriage of husband and wife. The Scriptures also show us, however, that Christ‘s love for the Church surpasses natural human love. Christ‘s love for the Church is a love of complete self-giving. This love is most completely expressed by his death on the Cross. Christian marriage aspires not only to natural human love, but to Christ‘s love for the Church."