@ Celia - how do you normally end a ceremony??

Obviously I'm not Celia, but after announcing us husband and wife and doing the kiss, our pastor is saying the Irish Blessing. Then we walk back down the aisle. ETA: typo

I really really wanted to answer this with "with fire and brimstone!"

My officiant presented us as "chuck and janeen R" Then our exit music played and people stood as we walked away.

As long as your processional music starts right after the kiss (you'll need to be very clear with whoever is doing your ceremony music), then you guys will walk out, and then guests will know they can leave.

With a glass of wine?

just kidding. sorta.

I don't usually do that 'by the power vested in me....stuff...I just don't like it. It sounds too legally to me. Most of my couples don't have me announce their 'new' couple name, partly because many of my brides don't plan to change their name (or aren't sure...) I only "present" them if I don't 'pronounce' them (like in a vow renewal). I kind of like the DJ being able to intro them for the first time as Mr and Mrs (or Mrs and Mrs or Mr and Mr) when they enter the reception.

Almost all of my ceremonies end with the kiss; I tell the couple to hold the kiss until they hear the recessional music start (ideally several second later), they walk down the aisle followed by their bridal party, and then I dismiss the front rows.

The only things I really do AFTER the kiss are a glass breaking (as in a Jewish ceremony) or a broom jump (Celtic or African American ceremony). Any announcements after the kiss and recessional just get ignored so I don't bother. If they guests need to be directed to cocktail hour or another room, I'd enlist a couple of ushers, banquet staff or your BP to stay at the entrance to the ceremony and let people know where to go.

Haha could you elaborate on the 'present vs prounounce' , please??

Do you mean the presenting/pronouncement as in, 'I pronounce you ___ and ___ (husband and wife in my case)? Or something else??

I will have our DJ welcome us in and announce us mr and mrs..., even though I'm just adding his name to my name, so it's not 100% true, but I'll play along for that. I just don't want that done at the end of the ceremony too, so I wasn't sure if it would seem weird/rushed to just end like this:

I now pronounce you husband and wife

you may kiss your bride

music starts *kiss*, we all leave....without anything else being said?

Thanks for all the help :o)

“Inasmuch as you, _____, and you, _____, have this day consented together in Marriage, and have given and pledged your love each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving rings in the presence of these witnesses, by virtue of authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Florida, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.”

Then I quietly say, "You may now kiss" as I duck out of the photo.

I don't introduce them for the same reasons as Celia.

I know I am not Celia but I loved the end of our ceremony (and I changed my last name and my FIL officiated so there was a more "family" feel, I think the closing would be a little much if said by an officiant we didn't have a previous relationship with) so I am sharing it with you:

Closing:

With the sense of incomparable joy that you have found emotional sanctuary for your heart, that you have discovered your life’s true love, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Preparation for the kiss.

You have kissed a thousand times, maybe more. But today the feeling is new. No longer simply partners and best friends, you have become husband and wife and can now seal the agreement with a kiss. Today your kiss is your promise.

You may kiss the bride.

It is now my pleasure to present you Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Beale.

(Cue recessional music)

I like that Theresa; very sweet; I may steal it ;-)

You asked about announcements that she might be referencing. The only real announcements I've seen have been after the bride and groom go down the aisle. The officiant may say something about a receiving line, joining the bride and groom at the reception site, going to a specific area for cocktail hour, etc. If everything is all in one area you won't need to worry about those!