National Marriage Encounter (NME) is a Judeo/Christian organization that is not promoted by any particular religious denomination. Presenting couples can be of any faith (or of mixed faith; ("interfaith")) and are not required to have a marriage that is a valid sacrament recognized by the Catholic Church. The Presenting Team leading the weekend experience consists of three married couples and often a clergy person or clergy couple. The mission of National Marriage Encounter is "to promote and encourage marriage and family life".

Worldwide Marriage Encounter, in contrast, is a movement within the Catholic Church. Presenting couples must be in a sacramental marriage and active in their Catholic faith, as well as in their parish. Many are involved in parish life as CCD educators, Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors. A Catholic priest is always present on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter experience. And while WWME also promotes and encourages marriage and family life, our mission is to strengthen and renew our Catholic Church through strengthening two vital sacraments, the Sacrament of Matrimony and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Worldwide Marriage Encounter invites priests and religious, as well as happily married couples, to our weekend experience. Pope John Paul II has said, "I place much of my hope for the future in (Worldwide) Marriage Encounter." The Worldwide Marriage Encounter experience is currently offered in 88 countries around the world and is a powerful evangelizing force in our Catholic Church.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter is also the founder of World Marriage Day (2nd Sunday in February) and World Priest Day (3rd Sunday in September). Worldwide Marriage Encounter in Massachusetts is endorsed by the Archdiocese of Boston and the Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester.