Wedding Notebook
a resource of the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren


Pronouncement

        The pronouncement consists of an official proclamation that the bride and groom are now husband and wife. To this is often added a statement of the authority which grants the minister to make such a proclamation, be it civil and/or religious authority. A traditional part is also the addition of the scripture "Whom God has joined together, let no man (one) put asunder." This last phrase is a polite "warning" that no one should try to come between this husband and wife.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

A.    By the authority committed to me as a minister of the Church of Jesus Christ, I declare that ________ and ________ are now husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God, and the law of this state: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

B.    Forasmuch as ________ and ________ have pledged to each other their fidelity and love in the sight of God and this company, I therefore by virtue of the authority vested in me as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, pronounce them to be husband and wife, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Whom therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder.

C.    Forasmuch as ________ and ________ have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their trust each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands (and by giving and receiving a ring), I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

D.    Forasmuch as you, ________ and ________ have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company by pledging your love and faithfulness to each other, and have declared the same by the joining of hands (and by the giving and receiving of rings) now, therefore, by the authority vested in me as a minister, I pronounce you 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 man put asunder.

E.                     (Said by best man and maid of honor in unison).
        We have heard ________ and ________ pledge themselves to God and each other in marriage. Before God and this community we witness that ________ and ________ are husband and wife.
                        (The minister then says):
        By the authority of the Church, I ratify and bless the bond of marriage you have covenanted. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

F.    Because ________ and ________ have desired each other in marriage, and have witnessed this before God and our gathering, affirming their acceptance of the responsibilities of such a union, and have pledged their love and faith to each other, sealing their vows in the giving and receiving of rings, I do proclaim that they are husband and wife in the sight of God and man. Let all people here and everywhere recognize and respect this holy union, now and forever.

G.    ________ and ________, you are now man and wife according to the witness of this church and the law of the state. Become one, Fulfill your promises. Love and serve the Lord. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.

H.    ________ and ________, by their promises before God and in the presence of this congregation, have made themselves husband and wife. Blessed be the Father and the Son and the Holy spirit now and forever.

I.    ________ and ________, you have made a solemn covenant of marriage before God, and before all of us here. I now declare you to be husband and wife; in the name of god the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

J.    We have heard your vows and your promise of faithful love. I now declare you to be husband and wife; in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

K.    Since, then, you have pledged your mutual vows, I, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the state and the church, declare you to be husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God and the law of the state.

L.    Now that ________ and ________ have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged, I pronounce them to be husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen



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