Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting seasons of life, but for Christians, it’s also an opportunity to glorify God and build a foundation for a Christ-centered marriage. Your wedding day isn’t just about beautiful flowers, stunning outfits, or a fun celebration—it’s a sacred covenant before God, family, and friends.

If you’re a committed single Christian preparing for marriage, you likely want your wedding to reflect your faith and values. But how do you actually plan a Christ-centered wedding? Let’s walk through practical steps to make your wedding a testimony of God’s love and purpose for marriage.

1. Start with Prayer

Before anything else, commit your wedding planning process to God. Pray together as a couple and seek His wisdom. Ask Him to guide your decisions, provide peace, and help you glorify Him through every detail. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not to lean on our own understanding.

2. Seek Godly Counsel

Find a trusted Christian mentor, pastor, or counselor who can guide you through this journey. Marriage preparation counseling is invaluable for laying a strong foundation. Many churches offer pre-marital classes or mentorship programs, so take advantage of them.

3. Establish Your Core Values as a Couple

Before you dive into the guest list or decorations, discuss with your fiancé what a Christ-centered wedding means to you both. What Scriptures inspire your relationship? What Christian traditions or elements do you want to include? Having these conversations early helps align your wedding vision with your faith.

4. Choose a Biblical Foundation for Your Ceremony

Scripture should be at the heart of your wedding ceremony. Select meaningful Bible verses to include in your vows, readings, or wedding message. Popular choices include:

• Genesis 2:24 (“A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife…”)
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (The “Love Chapter”)
• Ephesians 5:22-33 (God’s design for marriage)
• Ecclesiastes 4:12 (A cord of three strands is not quickly broken)

5. Select a Christian Officiant

Your officiant should be someone who shares your faith and understands the importance of a Christ-centered marriage. Choose a pastor or minister who will speak biblical truth during your ceremony.

6. Prioritize Worship in Your Ceremony

A Christ-centered wedding should include worship whether it’s held in a church or not. Whether through hymns, contemporary worship songs, or a live band, invite the presence of God through music. Songs like “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “The Blessing,” or “How Great is Our God” can be powerful choices.

7. Write Vows that Reflect Your Faith

Your wedding vows are more than just promises to each other—they’re a covenant before God. Write vows that reflect your commitment to Christ and your role as a husband or wife according to Scripture.

8. Keep the Focus on the Marriage, Not Just the Wedding

Weddings last a day; marriages last a lifetime. While planning the event is exciting, invest even more energy into preparing for marriage. Read books on Christian marriage, attend workshops, and seek wise counsel.

9. Choose Modest and Elegant Attire

Your wedding dress and attire should honor God and reflect purity and modesty. Modesty doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish, but it does mean being intentional about how you present yourself.

10. Involve Christian Community

Surround yourself with godly friends and family who will support your marriage. Ask close Christian friends to be in your bridal party, and seek out those who will pray for you throughout your engagement and beyond.

11. Practice Financial Stewardship

Weddings can be expensive, but good stewardship honors God. Set a budget and stick to it. Remember, a meaningful wedding doesn’t have to be extravagant. Focus on what truly matters.

12. Incorporate Meaningful Christian Traditions

Consider including Christian traditions such as a unity candle, foot-washing ceremony, or communion to symbolize Christ at the center of your marriage.

13. Use Your Wedding as a Witness

Your wedding is a unique opportunity to share the gospel. Whether through your officiant’s message, printed Scripture on your programs, or even your testimony shared during the reception, let your love story point to Christ.

14. Pray Over Your Guest List

Be intentional about who you invite. Pray over your guest list, and consider inviting those who need to hear the gospel. Your wedding can be an opportunity to show God’s love to unbelievers.

15. Keep the Reception Christ-Honoring

Weddings should be joyful, but avoid anything that could lead to un-Christlike behavior. Choose music, speeches, and activities that reflect your faith.

16. Serve Others Through Your Wedding

Consider ways to bless others through your wedding. Donate leftover food to a shelter, support Christian vendors, or give a portion of your wedding budget to a ministry.

17. Stay Pure Before Marriage

Honor God in your relationship by pursuing purity. Engage in accountability, set clear boundaries, and seek God’s strength to remain pure until your wedding night.

18. Use Christian Resources for Dating and Marriage

If you’re still in the early stages of finding the right partner, consider using Christian dating resources like SALT, a global Christian dating app designed to connect like-minded believers. It’s important to build relationships rooted in faith, and SALT can help you meet someone who shares your values.

19. Invite God Into Every Step

From engagement to wedding planning and into marriage, continuously invite God into the process. Spend time in prayer, study His Word, and seek wisdom in every decision.

20. Enjoy the Day, Knowing It’s About God

Finally, enjoy your wedding day! With all the planning, it’s easy to get caught up in details, but remember: this day is about God’s glory. No matter what goes perfectly or what goes “wrong,” if Christ is at the center, your wedding will be beautiful.

Planning a Christ-centered wedding is not about following a checklist but about keeping Jesus at the heart of every decision. May your wedding be a reflection of God’s love, and may your marriage be a testimony of His faithfulness!