Inklingo

How to Say "wedding" in Spanish

English → Spanish

boda

/BO-da//ˈboða/

nounA1general
Use 'boda' for the general term referring to the wedding ceremony or celebration, suitable for most everyday contexts.
A cheerful illustration of a bride in a white dress and a groom in a suit holding hands, standing under a simple floral arch, symbolizing a wedding ceremony.

Examples

La boda es el sábado por la tarde.

The wedding is on Saturday afternoon.

Fuimos a la boda de mi prima en México.

We went to my cousin's wedding in Mexico.

Están planeando una boda muy grande con más de doscientos invitados.

They are planning a very big wedding with more than two hundred guests.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'boda' is a feminine word. So, you'll always say 'la boda' (the wedding) or 'una boda' (a wedding).

'Boda' vs. 'Matrimonio'

Mistake: “'Boda' describes the event, the party. 'Matrimonio' usually describes the state of being married. So, you wouldn't say: 'Ellos tienen una boda de 20 años.'”

Correction: Instead, say: 'Ellos tienen un matrimonio de 20 años.' (They have a 20-year marriage.) Use 'boda' for the day itself: 'Su boda fue hace 20 años.' (Their wedding was 20 years ago.)

casamiento

/ka-sa-MYEN-to//kasaˈmjento/

nounB1general
Choose 'casamiento' to refer to the event or ceremony of getting married, often implying a slightly more formal or personal occasion.
A happy couple in formal wedding attire standing under a floral archway.

Examples

Fuimos al casamiento de mi primo el sábado pasado.

We went to my cousin's wedding last Saturday.

El casamiento civil es un trámite rápido.

The civil marriage is a quick legal process.

It's a masculine word

Since it ends in -o, it is almost always masculine. Use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el casamiento'.

Casamiento vs. Casado

Mistake: “Using 'casamiento' to describe a person.”

Correction: Use 'casamiento' for the event, but use 'casado' or 'casada' to say a person is married.

enlace

en-LAH-seh/enˈlaθe/

nounB1formal
Use 'enlace' specifically for the marriage ceremony itself, often in more formal, official, or literary contexts.
Two gold wedding bands intertwined and resting on a white cushion surrounded by pink and white flowers.

Examples

El príncipe y la duquesa anunciaron su próximo enlace.

The prince and the duchess announced their upcoming wedding.

Asistimos al enlace de mi hermana en la playa.

We attended my sister's wedding on the beach.

Boda vs. Enlace

Mistake: “Thinking 'enlace' is always interchangeable with 'boda'.”

Correction: 'Boda' is the most common, everyday word for 'wedding' (the event/party). 'Enlace' often emphasizes the formal union or bond itself, but is perfectly acceptable for referring to the ceremony.

Boda vs. Casamiento

The most common confusion is between 'boda' and 'casamiento'. While both are widely understood, 'boda' is the most frequent and versatile term. 'Casamiento' can sometimes sound slightly more formal or traditional, but in most casual situations, 'boda' is the safest and most natural choice.

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