You're standing there, maybe in a sun-drenched plaza in Seville or a hectic courthouse in Mexico City, and you realize something terrifying. You don't actually know how to say "I'm getting married" without sounding like a textbook from 1994. Honestly, most people think they can just swap out the English words for Spanish ones and call it a day. It doesn't work like that. To marry in Spanish isn't a 1:1 translation; it’s a linguistic minefield of reflexive verbs, prepositional traps, and cultural nuances that determine whether you're talking about the ceremony, the legal act, or the state of being miserable—or happy—with a spouse.
Languages are messy. Spanish is messier.
If you look up the verb "to marry" in a standard dictionary, you’ll find casar. Simple, right? Wrong. In the real world, native speakers almost never use casar in the way English speakers use "marry" unless they are a priest or a judge performing the ceremony. If you say "Yo casé," you aren't saying you got married; you're saying you performed a wedding for someone else. You’ve basically just ordained yourself on the spot.
The Reflexive Reality of Getting Hitched
Most of the time, when you’re talking about your own life, you need casarse. That little "se" at the end is a reflexive pronoun. It’s the difference between "I marry" and "I get myself married." It sounds weird in English, but in Spanish, it’s non-negotiable.
But here is where everyone messes up: the preposition.
In English, we marry "someone." In Spanish, you marry with someone. If you say "Quiero casarme tú," you're speaking gibberish. You have to say "Quiero casarme con alguien." Using con (with) is the golden rule. Forget it, and you’ll instantly out yourself as someone who hasn't spent enough time listening to real conversations.
Wait. There's more.
Depending on where you are in the Spanish-speaking world, the slang changes the game entirely. In Mexico, you might hear people talk about tirar la casa por la ventana (throwing the house out the window) when discussing a wedding. It doesn't mean they're literally tossing furniture; it means they're spending a fortune on the party. If you tell a friend in Argentina that you’re going to marry in Spanish terms, they might ask if you’re ready to ponerse la soga al cuello—literally "put the rope around your neck." Dark? Maybe. But that’s the flavor of the language.
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Casarse vs. Contraer Matrimonio
If you’re filling out paperwork at a consulate or reading a legal document, casarse is too casual. It’s too "everyday." Instead, you’ll see the phrase contraer matrimonio.
It sounds heavy. It sounds like you’re contracting a disease, which some cynics might agree with, but it’s the formal standard. You don't say this at a bar. You say this when you’re dealing with the Registro Civil.
- Casarse: What you tell your mom.
- Contraer matrimonio: What the judge writes on your certificate.
- Estar casado: The state of being married. Notice the verb change to estar because, technically, being married is a "state" or "condition" in the eyes of Spanish grammar, even if it feels permanent.
The Weird World of "Casamenteros" and Old Traditions
The history of how people to marry in Spanish cultures is deeply rooted in Catholicism, but also in ancient Roman law. This is why the terminology is so precise. Take the word desposar. You’ll find it in old literature like Cervantes or maybe in a very dramatic soap opera (telenovela). It’s an archaic way to say "to wed." If you use it today, you’ll sound like you just stepped out of the 17th century.
Then you have the pedida de mano. The "asking of the hand."
While modern couples in Madrid or Bogotá are increasingly casual, the formal proposal is still a massive deal. It’s not just a guy on one knee; it’s a formal meeting of families. If you’re navigating a relationship in Spanish, knowing the difference between a novio (boyfriend/groom) and a prometido (fiance) matters. Interestingly, in many countries, novio covers both. You’re the novio from the first date until you’re standing at the altar.
Why "To Marry in Spanish" Varies by Country
You can't just learn "Spanish." You have to learn the Spanish of the place you are.
In Spain, the legal process involves something called the expediente matrimonial. It’s a mountain of bureaucracy that would make a Kafka protagonist weep. You’ll hear terms like boda civil vs. boda religiosa. In contrast, in parts of the Caribbean, the process might feel slightly more streamlined but the vocabulary stays just as rigid.
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Let's talk about the padrinos.
In an English wedding, you have a "best man" and a "maid of honor." In a Spanish wedding, the padrinos (godparents of the wedding) have a much more significant role. They aren't just there to hold the rings. They are often the witnesses who sign the legal documents. When you’re learning how to marry in Spanish, you aren't just learning verbs; you’re learning a social hierarchy.
Common Phrases You’ll Actually Use
- ¡Vivan los novios!: The standard shout after the ceremony. It’s basically "Long live the newlyweds!"
- Luna de miel: Honeymoon. Literally "Moon of honey." This one actually translates perfectly.
- Casado/a: Married.
- Soltero/a: Single.
- Viudo/a: Widowed.
The Mistakes That Will Make You Blush
The most common error is confusing casar with cazar.
Phonetically, in most of Latin America, they sound identical because of the seseo (pronouncing 's', 'z', and 'c' the same). However, cazar means to hunt. If you tell someone "Voy a cazarme," you’re telling them you’re going to hunt yourself. It’s a weird way to spend a Saturday. Always double-check the spelling in your invitations.
Another one? Compromiso.
In English, "compromise" usually means an agreement where both sides give something up. In Spanish, compromiso means commitment or engagement. If you say you have a compromiso, you’re saying you’re engaged or have a serious obligation. It’s a high-stakes word.
Actionable Steps for the Bilingual Wedding
If you’re actually planning to get married in a Spanish-speaking environment, or if you’re just trying to pass a high-level fluency exam, you need to move beyond the flashcards.
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First, get your prepositions right. Practice saying "Casarse con" until it’s reflexive. Literally.
Second, distinguish between the act and the state. You get married (se casa) at 2:00 PM, but you are married (está casado) for the rest of your life.
Third, understand the bureaucracy. If you are a foreigner marrying a Spaniard or a Latino/a, the vocabulary shifts into "Legal Spanish." Learn the word Apostilla. It’s the international certification you’ll need for your birth certificate, and without it, no amount of perfect verb conjugation will get you down that aisle.
Key Vocabulary Summary for Real Life
Don't overthink it, but do get these right:
- Use casarse con for the action of marrying someone.
- Use estar casado/a to describe your relationship status on a form.
- La boda is the party/ceremony; el matrimonio is the legal institution.
- ¡Enhorabuena! is the most natural way to say "Congratulations" in Spain, while ¡Felicidades! is more common in Latin America for weddings.
The nuances of how to marry in Spanish reflect a culture that views family and legal unions with a mix of high solemnity and vibrant celebration. Whether you’re navigating the juzgado (courtroom) or the iglesia (church), the words you choose signal your respect for the tradition.
Stop relying on Google Translate for your vows. It lacks the soul—and the correct prepositions—to get the job done.
To ensure you are fully prepared for the logistical side of a Spanish wedding, your next moves should be:
- Verify if your home country requires an Apostille on all translated documents.
- Contact the local Registro Civil in the specific city where the ceremony will occur, as requirements often vary by municipality.
- Secure a sworn translator (traductor jurado) for any legal paperwork, as standard translations are rarely accepted for marriage licenses.