Learn the Spanish Wedding Phrases that You Need to Know for Any Spanish Speaking Wedding

Learn Spanish Wedding Phrases. Text on a collage of wedding images.

 

Do you have a wedding coming up, and you need to cram some useful Spanish wedding phrases before hand? Maybe you're marrying into a Spanish speaking family, and DuoLingo isn't cutting it anymore?

Great. This is the article for you.

The wedding industry thrives in the Hispanic word, particularly in Central and South America. Religion still plays an important role there, as do close societal ties. Weddings are a place for the community to gather and celebrate, and can be much larger affairs than American weddings.



General Spanish Wedding Phrases and Vocabulary 

  • Una boda is the Spanish word for a wedding  
  • el casamiento/matrimonio are the phrases for marriage
  • el novio refers to the groom
  • la novia is the bride 
  • los novios refers to the bride and groom together
  • la pareja perfecta - the perfect couple 
  • los anillos de la boda - wedding rings
  • los votos - the vows 
  • los trece monedas de oro - thirteen gold coins (a wedding tradition that you can read more about below) 
  • la invitación - invitation
  • el velo - veil
  • los regalos de boda - Wedding gifts

Spanish Phrases for People at a Wedding

Weddings can have a huge cast of people who are present. Here are some Spanish phrases and words to keep everyone straight.

  • esposo - husband
  • esposa - wife 
  • una dama de honor is a bridesmaid
  • el padrino is the best man
  • el pastor - pastor
  • el suegro  -  father-in-law
  • la suegra  -  mother-in-law
  • el cuñado  -  brother-in-law
  • la cuñada  -  sister-in-law
  • el yerno  -  son-in-law
  • la nuera  -  daughter-in-law
  • la dama de honor  -  maid of honor
  • el paje  -  ring-bearer
  • la paje  -  flower-girl

Note: novio/novia can also mean boyfriend/girlfriend in Spanish.

One slight difference to English is that in Spanish, you are married with someone, not to them. For example:

Estoy casada con Jorge - I'm married to Jorge.

Antonio está casado con Esther - Antonio is married to Esther.

The usage of both ser and estar when a person states "I am married" is subject to whether or not an individual thinks people are married at present or permanently.

Teasing and Negative Wedding Phrases in Spanish 

On announcing their plans to marry, the happy couple may be teased, similar to in English:

  • ¡Vas a cometer el error más grande en tu vida! - You're going to make the biggest mistake of your life!
  • Antes te cases, mira lo que haces - Before you marry, watch what you're doing. This phrase is used when someone doesn't believe that the couple is a good fit.
  • Estas segura/seguro? - Are you sure? 

Why Are Gold Coins Given at a Spanish Wedding?

Of course, the perfect couple - la pareja perfecta - will need to exchange rings - los anillos de la boda - as a symbol of their unending love. One tradition you'll probably come across at weddings throughout the Hispanic world is the groom handing over thirteen gold coins - los trece monedas de oro - to the bride.


These coins are called: arras - security, and are a sort of dowry. There is also a religious significance because los trece monedas de oro symbolize Christ and his apostles. Once los votos - the vows - have been taken, the bride will be handed los monedas de oro.


The end of the ceremony is quite different, and you may get a small surprise when the bride and groom are leaving the church. They are not showered with confetti but greeted with petardos - firecrackers, which makes the exit from the church a tad more lively!


Add these simple and fun wedding day themed words to your Spanish vocabulary, and you’ll be a hit at every wedding.
 
If you enjoyed this, try these 5 Native Spanish Podcasts for Listening Practice.

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