Alternatives to "Husband and Wife": Pronouncement Ideas for Every Couple

The pronouncement is one of the most memorable moments of your ceremony, and "husband and wife" doesn't fit every couple. The good news is there are plenty of beautiful options. Here are some of my favorites:

• "I now pronounce you married!" Simple, joyful, and true for everyone.

• "I now pronounce you spouses for life." Warm and inclusive of any couple.

• "I now pronounce you husband and husband" or "wife and wife." Say it proudly if it fits you.

• "I now pronounce you partners for life." A good choice if that's the word you use for each other.

• "By the love you've shown and the promises you've made, you are now married." A more personal, story-centered option.

• "I present to you, for the first time as a married couple, [Name] and [Name]!" Great for couples who are changing names or keeping their own.

  
  

How to choose. Say each one out loud and notice which one feels like you. The right words are the ones that feel most like your relationship, not the ones a tradition says you should use. If you want something in between, I'm happy to write a custom pronouncement with you.

Every ceremony I write is built around the couple, and that starts with the words you choose