💍 Essential German Words and Phrases for Weddings

Are you invited to a wedding in Germany or attending a German-speaking friend’s big day? Knowing how to congratulate, toast, and chat politely at a wedding will help you feel comfortable and make the happy couple feel even more special.

In this guide, you’ll learn 100+ practical German words, phrases, and cultural insights just for weddings — from the engagement to the ceremony, the reception, and the honeymoon. So grab your gift, practise your toast, and get ready to say Herzlichen Glückwunsch!

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💒 1️⃣ Essential German Wedding Vocabulary

English	German
Wedding	die Hochzeit
Marriage	die Ehe
Bride	die Braut
Groom	der Bräutigam
Newlyweds	das Brautpaar
Engagement	die Verlobung
Fiancé(e)	der/die Verlobte
Wedding ceremony	die Trauung
Church wedding	die kirchliche Trauung
Civil wedding	die standesamtliche Trauung
Wedding reception	der Hochzeitsempfang
Wedding party	die Hochzeitsfeier
Wedding cake	die Hochzeitstorte
Wedding dress	das Brautkleid
Suit/tuxedo	der Anzug
Veil	der Schleier
Bouquet	der Brautstrauß
Rings	die Ringe
Ring exchange	der Ringtausch
Vows	das Eheversprechen
Witness	der Trauzeuge / die Trauzeugin
Bridesmaid	die Brautjungfer
Best man	der Trauzeuge
Groomsman	der Brautführer
Toast	der Trinkspruch
Dance	der Hochzeitstanz
Honeymoon	die Flitterwochen

🥂 2️⃣ Common Wedding Verbs and Expressions

• sich verloben – to get engaged

• heiraten – to get married

• sich trauen lassen – to marry (formal)

• die Ringe tauschen – to exchange rings

• das Eheversprechen ablegen – to say vows

• gratulieren – to congratulate

• anstoßen – to toast / clink glasses

• tanzen – to dance

• küssen – to kiss

• feiern – to celebrate

• schenken – to give (a gift)

📝 Example:

Wir stoßen auf das Brautpaar an!(Let’s toast the newlyweds!)

💍 3️⃣ Phrases to Congratulate and Celebrate

• Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Hochzeit! – Congratulations on your wedding!

• Alles Gute für eure gemeinsame Zukunft! – All the best for your future together!

• Ich wünsche euch viel Liebe und Glück! – I wish you lots of love and happiness!

• Möget ihr immer glücklich sein! – May you always be happy!

• Auf das Brautpaar! – To the bride and groom!

• Eine wunderschöne Feier! – A beautiful celebration!

• Es war eine traumhafte Hochzeit! – It was a dream wedding!

💐 4️⃣ Small Talk at the Wedding

• Wie kennen Sie das Brautpaar? – How do you know the couple?

• Sie sehen wunderschön aus! – You look beautiful!

• Das Kleid ist traumhaft! – The dress is stunning!

• Die Zeremonie war sehr schön. – The ceremony was lovely.

• Wann ist der Hochzeitstanz? – When is the wedding dance?

• Wo sitzt man? – Where are the seats?

• Kommen Sie auch mit in die Flitterwochen? (joking) – Are you coming along on the honeymoon? (said playfully)

🎁 5️⃣ German Wedding Customs and Fun Words

💡 Good to know:

• Many couples have two ceremonies: a civil wedding (standesamtliche Trauung) and a church wedding (kirchliche Trauung).

• Guests often bring cash gifts in a pretty envelope or a creative money tree (Geldbaum).

• Polterabend is a fun pre-wedding party where people smash porcelain for luck.

• A playful custom is the Brautentführung — the bride is “kidnapped” by friends, and the groom must find her and buy drinks for everyone.

English	German
Pre-wedding party	der Polterabend
Bridal kidnapping	die Brautentführung
Guest book	das Gästebuch
Seating plan	die Sitzordnung
Wedding dance	der Hochzeitstanz
Bouquet toss	das Brautstraußwerfen
Sparkling wine	der Sekt
Fireworks	das Feuerwerk
Midnight snack	der Mitternachtssnack
Love	die Liebe
Luck	das Glück
Happiness	das Glück / die Freude

✏️ 6️⃣ Practice Tip: Write a Short Toast in German

Try this example for your next German wedding:

Liebe [Name] und lieber [Name],ich wünsche euch von Herzen alles Liebe, Glück und eine wundervolle gemeinsame Zukunft. Mögt ihr immer so glücklich sein wie heute! Auf euch!

(Dear [Name] and [Name], I wish you from the bottom of my heart all the love, happiness, and a wonderful future together. May you always be as happy as today! To you!)

📚 Bonus: More Wedding Words and German Culture!

Want more? Dive into our German language blog ‘Auf Deutsch, bitte!’ — with over 500 posts on grammar, vocabulary, idioms, and cultural guides to help you feel at home in any German conversation.

🥂 Celebrate Love — Speak German Beautifully!

Next time you attend a wedding in a German-speaking country, you’ll know exactly what to say to congratulate the happy couple and join the celebration naturally.

✨ Ready to say Herzlichen Glückwunsch confidently? Book your German class today!