Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Wedding Vows in Spanish: Votos Matrimoniales
Votos Matrimoniales · noun · BOH-tohs mah-tree-moh-nee-AH-lehs
Votos matrimoniales is the Spanish phrase for wedding vows, the solemn promises exchanged between partners during a marriage ceremony. Votos de boda is a lighter, conversational alternative. Personalized vows (votos personalizados) have become increasingly popular in Spanish-speaking weddings, blending tradition with individual expression.
Say votos matrimoniales as BOH-tohs mah-tree-moh-nee-AH-lehs. The v in votos produces a soft b sound, and matrimoniales carries the stress on the fourth syllable.
Escribieron sus propios votos matrimoniales para la ceremonia.
They wrote their own wedding vows for the ceremony.
Wedding Vows in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for wedding vows, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| votos matrimoniales | wedding vows | BOH-tohs mah-tree-moh-nee-AH-lehs | Default, widely understood |
| votos de boda | wedding vows | casual alternative used in everyday conversation | |
| promesas de matrimonio | wedding vows | emphasizes the promise aspect over the ritual vow |
How Native Speakers Use Votos Matrimoniales
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Traditional ceremony
El sacerdote les pidió que repitieran los votos matrimoniales.
The priest asked them to repeat the wedding vows.
In Catholic ceremonies, which are common across Latin America, votos follow a traditional liturgical format.
Personalized vows
Ella lloró mientras leía los votos que escribió para su esposo.
She cried while reading the vows she wrote for her husband.
Personalized vows are growing in popularity for both civil and religious ceremonies.
Renewal of vows
Después de veinticinco años de casados, renovaron sus votos matrimoniales.
After twenty-five years of marriage, they renewed their wedding vows.
Renovar los votos is the standard phrase for vow renewals, common at milestone anniversaries.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Votos Matrimoniales
Using voces instead of votos
Incorrect: Los novios leyeron sus voces matrimoniales.
Correct: Los novios leyeron sus votos matrimoniales.
Voces means voices, not vows. Votos is the correct word for solemn promises or pledges. This confusion arises from the similar spelling between voces and vows.
Saying votos de matrimonial
Incorrect: Escribí mis votos de matrimonial para la boda.
Correct: Escribí mis votos matrimoniales para la boda.
Matrimonial is an adjective that must agree with votos: votos matrimoniales. Using de matrimonial creates an awkward phrase that mixes preposition and adjective incorrectly.
Lock in Wedding Vows Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Votos Matrimoniales used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using votos matrimoniales in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Escribieron sus propios votos matrimoniales para la ceremonia. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Wedding Vows in Spanish
- How do you say wedding vows in Spanish?
- Wedding vows in Spanish is votos matrimoniales or votos de boda. The first is more formal and appears in religious and legal contexts, while the second is casual and conversational.
- Are personalized wedding vows common in Spanish-speaking countries?
- Personalized vows are increasingly popular, especially in civil ceremonies and modern religious services. Traditionally, Catholic weddings in Latin America follow a set liturgical script, but many couples now add personal touches or write entirely custom vows for their ceremonies.
- How do you say I promise in the context of wedding vows?
- In the context of vows, prometo (I promise) is the key verb. The traditional Catholic phrasing includes yo te acepto (I accept you) and prometo serte fiel en lo próspero y en lo adverso (I promise to be faithful to you in good times and bad).