Weird Wedding Question

I was in town last weekend to officiate at a wedding that had been on my schedule before I knew about my sabbatical.  Every wedding is unique.  Something always happens at a wedding that never happens at the rehearsal -- and almost never happens at any other wedding!  Sure enough, this one was no exception.  Beautiful wedding... Perkins Chapel on SMU campus... packed house filled with beautiful people!  The couple had just exchanged their vows and their rings and the soloist was singing The Wedding Song.  In the middle of the song, the bride whispers to me, "Are we married yet?"  I had to pause and think about that.  No one ever asked me that in the middle of a ceremony before. 

So when is the couple officially married?  When they make their vows?  When they put the ring on the finger?  When they kiss?  When the ceremony is over?  When the license is signed?  At what precise point do they become husband and wife?  This is not the kind of discussion you can have during the solo in the middle of a ceremony, so I just shook my head, "No."  I'm thinking, "You should have asked me this in premarital counseling.  Pay attention to the song!  We're not done here yet!" 

I could have said, "You're not married until I say you're married!"  There is a point in the wedding liturgy where the minister says, "I now prounouce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."  In my mind, tha's when it becomes official.  Marriage as a social institution requires a license that is signed by someone authorized by the state to do weddings.  Marriage as a sacred and spiritual institution takes place in the presence of God as well as family and friends.  The priest or pastor serves as God's representative and the authority of God and the authority of the Church all come in to play.  I recognize that the authority a minister possesses is purely delegated to him by God and thus must be handled humbly and respectfully.  So it is with humility and respect that my answer remains:  "You're not married until I say you're married!"