60 Idioms for Getting Married

Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something totally different from what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful, exciting, and full of life. Today, you are going to learn a bunch of helpful idioms that all have to do with getting married and celebrating weddings.

In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for getting married that mean tying the knot and celebrating a wedding. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.

Idioms for Getting Married

1. Tie the knot

Meaning: To get married in a formal wedding ceremony with family and friends.

For Example: My aunt and uncle decided to tie the knot on a sunny Saturday in June. / They dated for three years before choosing to tie the knot.

Other Ways to Say: Get married / Walk down the aisle

2. Walk down the aisle

Meaning: To make your way down the church center path to get married.

For Example: She felt nervous and excited as she prepared to walk down the aisle. / Everyone stood up to watch the bride walk down the aisle.

Other Ways to Say: Get married / Marry someone

3. Take the plunge

Meaning: To finally make a big life decision, such as getting married.

For Example: After dating for five years, they finally decided to take the plunge. / Buying a house and getting married felt like taking the big plunge.

Other Ways to Say: Commit / Get married

4. Hitch a ride

Meaning: A playful twist of words often used to describe joining in marriage.

For Example: They decided to hitch a ride together through life by getting married. / The happy couple was ready to hitch a ride on their honeymoon journey.

Other Ways to Say: Join together / Marry

5. Jump the broom

Meaning: A traditional wedding custom where a couple jumps over a broom to get married.

For Example: During the cultural ceremony, the happy couple chose to jump the broom. / Family members cheered as the bride and groom jumped the broom together.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Tie the knot

6. Make an honest woman of someone

Meaning: An old-fashioned phrase meaning to marry your partner.

For Example: In old stories, the hero promised to make an honest woman of his sweetheart. / They decided it was time to make things official and get married.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Wed

7. Join in holy matrimony

Meaning: A formal and traditional phrase meaning to get married.

For Example: The priest declared them joined in holy matrimony before the guests. / They were joined in holy matrimony in a lovely historic church.

Other Ways to Say: Wed / Marry

8. Become man and wife

Meaning: The traditional phrase spoken when a couple officially marries.

For Example: The minister smiled and pronounced them officially man and wife. / They hugged and kissed right after becoming man and wife.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Wed

9. Say I do

Meaning: To speak the traditional wedding vows and agree to marry.

For Example: She smiled through happy tears when it was time to say I do. / Friends and family gathered to watch them say I do at the altar.

Other Ways to Say: Take vows / Marry

10. Exchange vows

Meaning: To promise your love and loyalty to each other during a wedding.

For Example: The couple wrote their own special promises to exchange vows. / Everyone wiped away tears as they stood to exchange vows.

Other Ways to Say: Make promises / Wed

11. Put a ring on it

Meaning: To place a wedding band on your partner’s finger to show you are married.

For Example: He proposed with a shiny diamond and promised to put a ring on it. / Once they said their vows, he proudly put a ring on it.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Commit

12. Slip on the ring

Meaning: To slide the wedding band onto your spouse’s finger during the ceremony.

For Example: She gently helped slip on the ring during the wedding service. / The groom smiled warmly as he watched her slip on the ring.

Other Ways to Say: Put on ring / Marry

13. Wear the wedding band

Meaning: To display the ring that shows you are officially married.

For Example: He was so proud to wear the wedding band every single day. / She loved looking down to see her sparkling wedding band.

Other Ways to Say: Be married / Show commitment

14. Settle down

Meaning: To stop moving around and get married to start a family home.

For Example: After traveling the world, they decided to settle down and buy a house. / Getting married made them ready to settle down in a quiet neighborhood.

Other Ways to Say: Build a home / Marry

15. Make it official

Meaning: To sign the legal wedding papers and become officially married.

For Example: After the big party, they went to the office to sign papers and make it official. / We had the ceremony, and now we need to make it official with the license.

Other Ways to Say: Legalize / Finalize marriage

16. Sign on the dotted line

Meaning: To sign the official marriage license to complete the wedding process.

For Example: The judge handed them the pen to sign on the dotted line. / Once they signed on the dotted line, they were officially husband and wife.

Other Ways to Say: Sign papers / Legalize

17. Take a spouse

Meaning: To choose someone to be your husband or wife in marriage.

For Example: He was overjoyed to take a spouse who shared all his favorite hobbies. / She decided to take a spouse and celebrate with a grand reception.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Wed

18. Enter into wedlock

Meaning: A formal phrase meaning to enter the state of being married.

For Example: The happy couple happily decided to enter into wedlock this autumn. / Friends traveled from afar to watch them enter into wedlock.

Other Ways to Say: Get married / Marry

19. Take vows of love

Meaning: To promise lifelong devotion and care during a wedding ceremony.

For Example: They stood under a flower arch to take vows of love. / Taking vows of love in front of family is a very special moment.

Other Ways to Say: Promise love / Marry

20. March to the altar

Meaning: To walk proudly toward the wedding stage to get married.

For Example: The groom adjusted his tie as he prepared to march to the altar. / They happily marched to the altar to begin their ceremony.

Other Ways to Say: Walk down aisle / Get married

21. Take someone’s hand in marriage

Meaning: To accept someone as your husband or wife through wedding vows.

For Example: He asked her to take his hand in marriage under the grand oak tree. / She was thrilled to take his hand in marriage after a long engagement.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Wed

22. Pledge your troth

Meaning: An old-fashioned phrase meaning to promise faithfulness in marriage.

For Example: In historical stories, knights and maidens would pledge their troth. / They chose to write modern vows instead of traditional phrasing to pledge their troth.

Other Ways to Say: Promise loyalty / Vow

23. Join hands

Meaning: To hold hands as a couple symbolizing unity during a wedding.

For Example: The minister asked the couple to join hands before speaking their vows. / They looked into each other’s eyes and joined hands at the altar.

Other Ways to Say: Unite / Hold hands

24. Become one flesh

Meaning: A traditional religious phrase describing the unity of marriage.

For Example: The ceremony celebrated how two separate people become one flesh. / They built their shared life together after becoming one flesh.

Other Ways to Say: Unite / Marry

25. Share a life together

Meaning: To build a home, family, and future as married partners.

For Example: Getting married meant they could finally share a life together in the country. / Their wedding toast celebrated their dream to share a life together.

Other Ways to Say: Build a future / Marry

26. Pronounced husband and wife

Meaning: The official announcement made by the person performing the wedding.

For Example: We cheered loudly when they were pronounced husband and wife. / Being pronounced husband and wife brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Other Ways to Say: Officially married / Wed

27. Throw a wedding bash

Meaning: To celebrate your marriage with a huge, fun party for guests.

For Example: After the ceremony, they decided to throw a wedding bash with dancing and cake. / The family helped throw a wonderful wedding bash in the garden.

Other Ways to Say: Wedding party / Celebration

28. Cut the wedding cake

Meaning: A traditional wedding tradition where the newlyweds slice the dessert together.

For Example: Everyone gathered around with cameras to watch them cut the wedding cake. / The sweet vanilla icing looked delicious when it was time to cut the wedding cake.

Other Ways to Say: Slice cake / Wedding tradition

29. Catch the bouquet

Meaning: A fun wedding game where unmarried guests try to catch flying flowers.

For Example: My older sister jumped high and managed to catch the bouquet. / All the single friends gathered on the dance floor to catch the bouquet.

Other Ways to Say: Catch flowers / Wedding game

30. First dance as a married couple

Meaning: The special first song danced by the bride and groom at their reception.

For Example: The lights dimmed for the first dance as a married couple to begin. / Everyone clapped as they swayed gracefully during their first dance as a married couple.

Other Ways to Say: Opening dance / Newlywed dance

31. Toss the garter

Meaning: A traditional wedding reception game involving throwing a ribbon item.

For Example: The groom laughed as he prepared to toss the garter to the guests. / Everyone cheered when the young cousin managed to catch the tossed garter.

Other Ways to Say: Wedding game / Toss tradition

32. Toast the newlyweds

Meaning: To raise a glass of juice or sparkling cider to wish a newly married couple happiness.

For Example: Grandpa stood up at the table to toast the newlyweds with a nice speech. / All the guests raised their glasses to toast the newlyweds.

Other Ways to Say: Congratulate / Wish well

33. Shower with rice

Meaning: An old tradition of throwing small grains at the newly married couple for good luck.

For Example: Guests stepped outside the chapel to shower with rice as they walked by. / Modern weddings sometimes use bubbles instead of a traditional shower with rice.

Other Ways to Say: Throw confetti / Bless couple

34. Sail into matrimony

Meaning: A metaphoric way of describing entering a calm, happy marriage.

For Example: They decorated their getaway car and prepared to sail into matrimony. / With matching smiles, the couple began to sail into matrimony.

Other Ways to Say: Marry happily / Wed

35. Put on the veil

Meaning: The bridal tradition of wearing a sheer face covering for the wedding.

For Example: Her mother helped her carefully put on the veil before the ceremony. / She smiled in the mirror after putting on the veil.

Other Ways to Say: Bridal wear / Dress up

36. Wear white

Meaning: The traditional clothing choice for brides on their wedding day.

For Example: She looked like a princess choosing to wear white for her wedding. / Wearing white has been a bridal tradition for many generations.

Other Ways to Say: Bridal dress / White gown

37. Suit up in a tuxedo

Meaning: The formal clothing worn by grooms for the wedding ceremony.

For Example: The groom and his friends decided to suit up in a tuxedo for the big day. / Looking sharp in his black jacket, he got ready to suit up in a tuxedo.

Other Ways to Say: Dress formally / Wear suit

38. Ring the wedding bells

Meaning: A traditional sound celebrating when people get married in a town.

For Example: The old church steeple began to ring the wedding bells as they exited. / We heard them ring the wedding bells across the quiet valley.

Other Ways to Say: Celebrate wedding / Ring chimes

39. Honeymoon phase

Meaning: The wonderful, relaxing trip and joyful time right after getting married.

For Example: They packed their bags for a tropical island during their honeymoon phase. / The newly married couple spent two weeks enjoying their honeymoon phase.

Other Ways to Say: Post-wedding trip / Newlywed vacation

40. Start a family

Meaning: A common step that often follows getting married and building a home.

For Example: After getting married, they were excited to buy a house and start a family. / Their wedding speeches mentioned hopes to travel and eventually start a family.

Other Ways to Say: Have children / Build home

41. Take vows before God and man

Meaning: A solemn phrase meaning to make marriage promises publicly.

For Example: They stood in the sunny garden to take vows before God and man. / Making vows before God and man is a deeply traditional wedding step.

Other Ways to Say: Promise publicly / Marry formally

42. Sign the register

Meaning: To write your name in the official church or government marriage book.

For Example: After the ceremony, the bride and groom stepped aside to sign the register. / The witnesses watched closely while they signed the register.

Other Ways to Say: Sign papers / Legalize marriage

43. Become man and wife together

Meaning: The joyous moment of finishing vows and starting marriage.

For Example: They smiled at each other after becoming man and wife together. / Celebrating holidays was extra fun after becoming man and wife together.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Wed

44. Go to the altar

Meaning: To walk down the church aisle to participate in a wedding.

For Example: He felt his heart race as he watched her go to the altar. / Family members wiped tears of joy when they saw them go to the altar.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Walk down aisle

45. Enter into holy wedlock

Meaning: A traditional phrase describing the sacred bond of marriage.

For Example: The happy couple chose a historic chapel to enter into holy wedlock. / Entering into holy wedlock was the happiest moment of their year.

Other Ways to Say: Get married / Wed

46. Make a match

Meaning: To bring two people together who eventually fall in love and marry.

For Example: The friendly aunt loved to joke that she helped make a match between them. / Finding someone who loves reading just like you is like a wonderful match.

Other Ways to Say: Pair up / Matchmake

47. Marry off

Meaning: An expression used when parents see their children get married.

For Example: Grandma was so proud to help marry off her oldest granddaughter. / Planning the big day felt busy when they had to marry off their son.

Other Ways to Say: Host wedding / Wed child

48. Settle down with someone

Meaning: To choose a special partner to marry and share life with.

For Example: He knew right away that he wanted to settle down with her. / Finding your best friend is the best reason to settle down with someone.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Commit to partner

49. Take the vows

Meaning: To speak the formal promises that create a marriage.

For Example: They looked deeply into each other’s eyes to take the vows. / Taking the vows in front of loved ones made the day unforgettable.

Other Ways to Say: Say I do / Promise love

50. Live happily ever after

Meaning: A classic fairy tale phrase describing a wonderful married life.

For Example: The story ended with the prince and princess getting married and living happily ever after. / We wished the newlyweds a lifetime of living happily ever after.

Other Ways to Say: Joyful life / Blissful marriage

51. Wear the ball and chainy

Meaning: A humorous old idiom sometimes joked about marriage, though mostly for fun.

For Example: He joked about wearing the ball and chain when talking about wedding planning. / Everyone laughed when he put on a toy ball and chain at his bachelor party.

Other Ways to Say: Marriage joke / Humor

52. Become one

Meaning: A romantic phrase describing two people merging their lives in marriage.

For Example: The wedding rings symbolized two separate lives coming together to become one. / They shared a sweet hug after officially becoming one.

Other Ways to Say: Unite / Merge lives

53. Share a surname

Meaning: To take your spouse’s last name after getting married.

For Example: She was excited to sign her new cards and share a surname with her husband. / Choosing to share a surname is a traditional part of many weddings.

Other Ways to Say: Take last name / Family name

54. Join in wedlock

Meaning: A traditional way to say two people are getting married.

For Example: The local pastor was happy to join in wedlock the childhood sweethearts. / Family members traveled across the country to watch them join in wedlock.

Other Ways to Say: Marry / Wed

55. Tie the knot in style

Meaning: To have an exceptionally fancy or grand wedding celebration.

For Example: They rented a beautiful historic castle to tie the knot in style. / Wearing designer clothes helped them tie the knot in style.

Other Ways to Say: Grand wedding / Fancy marriage

56. Walk down the aisle together

Meaning: For both partners to make their way down the path to get married.

For Example: Some modern couples prefer to walk down the aisle together hand in hand. / They smiled at all their guests as they walked down the aisle together.

Other Ways to Say: Marry together / Enter hand in hand

57. Exchange rings

Meaning: To put wedding bands on each other’s fingers during the ceremony.

For Example: The best man handed the small velvet box forward so they could exchange rings. / Watching them exchange rings is the sweetest part of any wedding.

Other Ways to Say: Give rings / Swap bands

58. Toast the happy couple

Meaning: To raise glasses and offer congratulatory speeches to the newlyweds.

For Example: The best man stood up with a microphone to toast the happy couple. / We clinked our glasses together to toast the happy couple.

Other Ways to Share: Wish well / Congratulate

59. Throw rice and cheer

Meaning: A celebratory wedding custom as the newlyweds exit the venue.

For Example: Guests gathered outside the church doors to throw rice and cheer. / The loud sound of car horns mixed with friends who throw rice and cheer.

Other Ways to Say: Celebrate exit / Cheer newlyweds

60. Begin the journey of marriage

Meaning: To start your new life together as a legally wedded husband and wife.

For Example: The wedding cake cutting marked the official moment to begin the journey of marriage. / We wished them endless joy as they begin the journey of marriage.

Other Ways to Say: Start married life / Begin together

Exercise to Practice

1. My aunt and uncle decided to ________ on a sunny Saturday in June.
2. She felt nervous and excited as she prepared to ________ down the aisle.
3. After dating for five years, they finally decided to ________ the plunge.
4. Everyone stood up to watch the bride ________ down the aisle.
5. During the cultural ceremony, the happy couple chose to ________ the broom.
6. The priest declared them ________ in holy matrimony before the guests.
7. She smiled through happy tears when it was time to ________ I do.
8. The couple wrote their own special promises to ________ vows.
9. He proposed with a shiny diamond and promised to ________ a ring on it.
10. After the big party, they went to the office to ________ papers and make it official.
11. The judge handed them the pen to ________ on the dotted line.
12. Everyone gathered around with cameras to watch them ________ the wedding cake.
13. My older sister jumped high and managed to ________ the bouquet.
14. Grandpa stood up at the table to ________ the newlyweds with a nice speech.
15. The story ended with the prince and princess getting married and ________ happily ever after.

Answer Key

1. tie the knot
2. walk
3. take
4. walk
5. jump
6. joined
7. say
8. exchange
9. put
10. sign
11. sign
12. cut
13. catch
14. toast
15. living

Conclusion

Learning idioms about getting married helps you understand stories, wedding traditions, and romantic conversations much better. When you know what these colorful phrases mean, you can use them to describe celebrations and love stories in a super fun way.

Try using a few of these expressions the next time you talk about a wedding or a romantic storybook character. Practicing them out loud is a great way to remember them and make your communication sound awesome.