Marriage in the 21st Century is strongly and rightly connected the romantic connection built between two people. It was not always understood in quite this way, historically people learned to love their marriage partner, sometime after the wedding. Whilst that is still true in some cultures, for the most part in western society, people learn to love each other and then get married. 

Of course, this too is a journey sacrament, and getting married is not the end of the road in this journey, but a greater marker, and the journey of learning to love each other goes an and grows from here.

The historic rites tells us that there are a number of reasons for marriage, including:

• To be a sign to all the world of the love God has for the Church
• For the proper expression of the natural instincts and affections with which we are endowed
• That children may be born and nurtured
• For the good order of society - including the passing of property and title from one generation to the next.
• For mutual society, support and help.