What did the Council of Trent say about marriage?

The Council of Trent (1545-1563) affirmed the sacramental nature of marriage, declaring it one of the seven sacraments essential for salvation. It emphasized that marriage is a divine institution meant for the mutual benefit of spouses and the procreation of children. The Council also established that marriages should be solemnized by a priest and witnessed by the community to ensure their validity, thus reinforcing the importance of the Church's role in the marital union.