Wedding Ceremonies: The Announcement or Declaration

Most announcements or declarations are simply descriptions by clergy of what has happened during the exchange of vows and rings. These descriptions are ceremonial ways of summarizing and affirming what has just occurred.

Protestant

In The Book of Common Prayer the announcement below comes after the exchange of rings, in Chapter six and before the blessing in Chapter Seven.

Then the Celebrant joins the right hand of husband and wife and says

Now that __________ and __________ have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.

People Amen

Book Of Common Prayer

Roman Catholic

(This passage is omitted because of copyright protection. It is included in the book, For As Long As We Both Shall Live, available at your local bookstore or by calling 1-800-238-0658.)

The Rite of Marriage

Jewish

(This passage is omitted because of copyright protection. It is included in the book, For As Long As We Both Shall Live, available at your local bookstore or by calling 1-800-238-0658.)

Rabbi's Manual

Contemporary

I present to you __________ and __________, equal partners, husband and wife, united in holy matrimony.

Michael Barlow-Sparkman

__________ and __________ have vowed their love in our presence. We now recognize them as husband and wife.

John Corrado

Before this gathering __________ and __________ have promised each other their love and have given each other rings to wear as a sign of their deep commitment. Therefore I declare that they are husband and wife.

Officiant: As you have heard, __________ and __________ have made their wedding vows and exchanged rings as a covenant of their new relationship. We now declare that they are husband and wife in the name of God, one God for us all, for all time. Amen.

Now let all who rejoice in their wedding say after me: God bless them!

Congregation: God Bless them!

David Hostetter

The following is meant to be read in unison by the bride and groom, facing the assembly.

Because we have grown in knowledge and love for one another; because we agree in our desire to go forward into life seeking a richer and ever deepening relationship; and because we have pledged ourselves to meet sorrow and joy as one family, we affirm that we are now husband and wife.

The minister shall confirm their statement as follows.

Because they have so affirmed, in love and knowledge one of the other, so also do I declare that __________ and __________ are now husband and wife.

Paul E. Killinger

RETURN TO CONTENTS

We welcome submissions of your original "announcement or declaration" for wedding services. For possible consideration for inclusion on this page, send your E-Mail to:rfritts@his.com

URL: http//www.his.com/~rfritts

Revised - June 3, 1996