The Rite of Marriage is at the heart of the wedding liturgy. Your exchange of vows before a priest or deacon ("the presider"), two primary witnesses, and the gathered assembly of your family and friends joins you together for life. In this sacramental moment, the bride and groom are the primary ministers. They assure each other of love and faithfulness, and together they ask God to sustain and nourish forever their holy bond. In this way, they consent to be a sacred sign of his love in the world.