Many couples face a dilemma regarding God's presence at their wedding celebration.

'Tis the season ... for weddings.

Fewer couples walk down the aisle in June than at any time of the year.

Numerous brides are currently concentrating on the floral arrangements, seating plans, and catering guest count, all of which affect their budget for their wedding.

The cost of a wedding in 2024 is estimated to be $33,000, with the amount varying based on the number of attendees. The two largest expenses for a wedding are typically the venue and catering.

Is it necessary to invite God to a wedding, along with invited guests, to make the marriage a heavenly one?

Family therapist Dr. Roxanne Louh of Florida said she believes so.

Louh stated that marriage can be difficult due to the merging of two unique histories, life stories, and dispositions.

If you don't have God at the center of your actions, holding you accountable to something greater than your own feelings, your feelings can become divisive.

Fr. Nicholas Louh, the senior priest of St. John The Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, Florida, is married to Dr. Louh.

"You're not a random act in history," said Fr. Louh. "God has a purpose for you, whether you're married or single."

They conduct marriage seminars together on how to increase the chances of a "happily ever after" life.

And making God the center of a union is key, they say.

"Fr. Louh stated, "You are not a mere occurrence in history; God has a purpose for you, regardless of your marital status. Therefore, is the individual in my life going to assist me in fulfilling or working towards the purpose that God has for me?""

In a recent episode of "Lighthouse Faith" podcast, the Louhs discussed the characteristics of a successful marriage, the factors that contribute to an unhealthy relationship, strategies for maintaining a strong marriage, and when it's appropriate to end one.

According to the Louhs, God created marriage as one of the initial acts.

According to Fr. Louh, the first action of God in the Old Testament's Book of Genesis is to create a family with Adam and Eve.

In the New Testament, the first thing we see is the merging of Joseph and Mary's families through the birth of Christ.

According to Fr. Louh, the first recorded miracle in the Scriptures took place at a wedding, specifically during the wedding service of Cana.

So God likes to be invited to weddings, he noted.

‘More satisfied with their lives’

Experts agreed with the Louhs.

According to Brad Wilcox, head of the National Marriage Project in Charlottesville, Virginia, in his new book "Get Married," American men and women who frequently attend a church, synagogue, temple, or mosque are happier in their marriages, less likely to get divorced, and more satisfied with their lives. Additionally, their children are more likely to thrive.

"American men and women who regularly attend a church, synagogue, temple or mosque are significantly happier in their marriages."

Despite the desire of couples for their relationship to be harmonious rather than hostile, the other "D" word remains a constant threat, despite their good intentions.

Researchers estimate that 41-43% of all first marriages in the United States end in divorce.

Eight years is the average length of a marriage before a couple divorces.

While the United States has a high divorce rate, it ranks fourth behind Russia, Belarus, and Gibraltar. By religion, Hindus have one of the lowest divorce rates at 5%, while evangelical Protestants have a divorce rate more than double that, at 14%, according to Forbes Advisor.

As author Professor Nancy Pearcey argues in her book, "The Toxic War on Masculinity," so does Wilcox, a senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies.

"I don't think God yearned for us to be in a marriage that we're unhappy with."

The key to analyzing religious attendance and divorce statistics is distinguishing between occasional and regular attendees.

Pearcey wrote her book to refute the negative portrayal of evangelical men regarding their levels of domestic abuse, stating that the facts indicate the opposite when discussing church-attending men.

According to Pearcey on an episode of "Lighthouse Faith" podcast, evangelical couples are the least likely to divorce and have the lowest rates of domestic violence among major groups in America, contradicting the media message that they are more likely to experience these issues.

The Louhs' message is rooted in the Greek Orthodox perspective, which has a distinctive approach to marriage as demonstrated in the wedding ceremony.

In an Orthodox ceremony, the loving couple remain silent, refraining from saying "yes," "no," or "I do."

The priests serve as the mediator between the couple and God when two people step on the sacred threshold of God's holy altar to be married.

After the crowning, the couple, led by the priest, walk around the altar three times. This, too, is deeply significant.

The betrothal and wedding ceremony are two separate events that traditionally take place on different occasions.

Most ceremonies combine them today.

The Stefana, two crowns joined by one ribbon, is a unique spiritual moment in an Orthodox wedding ceremony.

They are, said Fr. Louh, becoming a mini Christian church.

"Louh stated, "The husband and wife are transforming into royalty over their new church or family, but what's most significant is that it's making them realize 'I need to die for us.' This means that their ego, personal desires, and will are now taking a backseat to what's best for their family.""

The couple, led by the priest, walk around the altar three times after the crowning, which is also highly meaningful.

For the newly married couple, "their first steps are taking place in the church."

Fr. Louh stated that the purpose of proclaiming several things was not solely for the sake of the show.

"The church is the starting point for both of them, and I believe they are being guided by the Word of God. The priest holds the gospel in his hand as he leads them around the table, holding their hand and imparting the teachings of Christ."

People often base their marriages on emotions, which may not be enough to withstand the challenges of daily life, as the Louhs understand.

Fr. Louh stated that God is a more solid base than emotions.

"He stated that God did not desire for us to be in an unhappy marriage, but sometimes, when we construct our relationships on the wrong foundation, it can have a lasting impact for many years."

Despite the hard work, being married can bring immense joy, and the benefits are worth the effort, as many people pointed out.

Dr. Louh advised, "Remember that we are all still learning how to navigate life. You, your partner, and the person you're trying to share life with have a lot to learn. If you're open to learning together, you can witness wonderful outcomes."