The Pronouncement Explained

This is the part of the wedding ceremony where the officiant declares the couple as officially married.

OFFICIANT ACTIONS

1. You announce to the wedding reception that the couple is married. This usually includes the words, "I now pronounce you…".
2. Many pronouncements begin with the phrase, "By the power vested in me by the State of…" This phrase reflects the fact that marriage is both a spiritual and legal event, and that the authority to solemnize marriage is regulated by the government.
3. The officiant introduces the newlyweds to the wedding reception by saying, "It is my honor to introduce…".
4. The officiant tells the newlyweds to kiss by saying, "You may now kiss…".
5. When you tell the couple to kiss, it is important to move off to the side so that the photographer can get good pictures without the officiant standing behind the couple.

CEREMONY EVENTS

1. The couple kisses.
2. The wedding reception cheers.

GENDER NEUTRAL WEDDINGS

The pronouncement can be adapted for same-sex weddings by simply changing out a few words. The example below uses gender neutral pronouns though it can be used for heterosexual weddings as well.

EXAMPLE PRONOUNCEMENT

(Officiant to the Wedding Reception)
"By the power given to me by the American Marriage Ministries and by the State of California, I now pronounce you married."

(Officiant to the Couple)
"You may now kiss."
[The Officiant moves to the side. The Couple Kisses.]

(Officiant to the Wedding Reception)
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present for the first time, the Musks!"