What Does The Priest Say At A Wedding Before The Kiss

Okay, let’s be real for a second. You’ve spent months pinning flower arrangements, fretting over seating charts, and convincing your cousin not to do that one dance move. But the moment everyone’s truly waiting for? It’s the kiss. The big, cinematic, “you may now kiss the bride” moment. And just before that, there’s a tiny, pivotal speech from the priest or officiant that often gets overshadowed by the confetti and teary-eyed glances. So, what does the priest actually say?

Spoiler: it’s not a secret code. It’s a beautifully crafted little bridge that takes you from “we’re married” to “alright, you two, lock lips.” In most Christian and Catholic ceremonies, the priest’s words are a formal declaration and a permission. Think of it as the universe’s final “green light.” The classic line goes something like: “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Or, if the couple is more modern (and the priest is cool), it might be, “You may kiss each other.”

But here’s the thing—the context matters. Before that famous line, the priest usually asks a question. It’s a quick little check-in with the congregation: “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” (or, more commonly now, “Who presents this couple?”). After the dad hands over the bride (or both parents nod), the priest then gets to the pronouncement. That pronouncement isn’t just a formality; it’s a legal and spiritual mic drop. It says, “The vows you just exchanged? They’re official. The ring on her finger? It’s a done deal. Now, show the world you’re happy about it.”

Now, let’s talk variations, because no two priests are the same. Some love to drag out the suspense for a tiny laugh. You might hear: “By the power vested in me by the state and by God, I pronounce you married. And I think it’s customary at this point… to seal it with a kiss.” (Cue the crowd giggling nervously). Others get a little poetic: “What God has joined together, let no one separate. You may now express your love with a kiss.” Notice they say “express your love” instead of just “kiss the bride.” It’s a tiny, romantic upgrade that makes everyone feel something.

And for my Jewish wedding friends? You get the glass-stomping moment first, but before the kiss, the rabbi says something like: “You are now husband and wife, according to the laws of Moses and Israel. May you always be blessed with joy. Now, kiss.” It’s short, sweet, and direct. For secular or non-denominational ceremonies, the officiant might say: “By the power of love and the authority of your own hearts, I now declare you married. Go ahead—kiss!” That one always gets a cheer because it’s all about them, not a script.

Priest words for wedding 60 photos - Vianawedding.com

Here’s a little secret the priest won’t tell you: The kiss is the easy part. The real pressure is on the couple to wait for the cue. I’ve been to a wedding where the groom dove in too early, and the priest had to gently tap his shoulder and say, “Not yet, champ, I haven’t said the magic words.” Awkward. And hilarious. So trust me, when you hear those words—“You may now kiss the bride”—that is your one and only cue. Don’t be the groom who jumps the gun like a caffeinated Labrador.

So, when you’re standing there, sweaty palms, heart racing, and the priest’s voice rings out, just smile. It’s not just a sentence. It’s a blessing. It’s the official end of “I do” and the start of “we did it.” The kiss after those words? That’s the first page of a long, wonderful chapter. And the priest? He’s basically saying, “Okay, lovebirds, you’ve got the clearance. Now go make everyone clap and cry at the same time.”

Cheers to that moment. It’s short, it’s sacred, and it’s the best permission slip you’ll ever get. Now go find your person, ignore the camera, and give them a kiss that makes the priest blush a little. You’ve earned it.