Idioms for Getting Married – Classic Expressions of Love and Matrimony

Marriage is more than just a ceremony but it’s a lifelong promise between two people to share love, laughter, and life’s journey together. Over time, this special occasion has inspired countless colorful expressions in English, known as idioms. These idioms not only make conversations about weddings more fun and lively but also capture the emotions, traditions, and humor tied to matrimony. From “tying the knot” to “taking the plunge,” marriage idioms use vivid imagery to describe the big step of commitment.

What Are Idioms for Getting Married?

Idioms for getting married are expressions or phrases that describe marriage in a creative, symbolic way rather than in literal terms. Instead of simply saying “to get married,” people often use colorful phrases like “tie the knot,” “walk down the aisle,” or “take the plunge.” These idioms add charm, humor, and cultural depth to conversations about weddings, engagements, and commitment. They capture the emotions, traditions, and excitement of matrimony in a way that feels relatable and memorable.

Commonly Used Idioms for Getting Married 

• Tie the knot – To get married.
  Example: They finally tied the knot after five years of dating. 
• Walk down the aisle – To participate in a wedding ceremony.
  Example: She dreamed of walking down the aisle in a white dress. 
• Take the plunge – To make the bold decision to get married.
  Example: After years of hesitation, he finally took the plunge. 
• Pop the question – To propose marriage.
  Example: He popped the question during a romantic dinner. 
• Put a ring on it – To marry someone (popularized by pop culture).
  Example: They’d been together for years before he finally put a ring on it. 
• Get hitched – Informal way of saying to get married.
  Example: They’re getting hitched next summer in Italy. 
• Say “I do” – To agree to marriage vows.
  Example: When asked if she would love him forever, she said “I do.” 
• Jump the broom – A traditional phrase from African-American wedding customs.
  Example: At the end of the ceremony, they jumped the broom. 
• Seal the deal – To make the marriage official.
  Example: They sealed the deal with a kiss at the altar. 
• Make an honest woman/man of – To marry someone, often after a long relationship.
  Example: He finally made an honest woman of her after ten years together. 
• Hitch up – Another informal way of saying to get married.
  Example: They hitched up right after college. 
• Wedlock – The state of being married.
  Example: They were joined in holy wedlock. 
• Holy matrimony – A formal phrase for marriage.
  Example: The couple entered holy matrimony in a church ceremony. 
• Match made in heaven – A perfect couple.
  Example: Everyone says they’re a match made in heaven.
• Joined at the hip – Extremely close, inseparable (often used for couples).
  Example: Since they got married, they’ve been joined at the hip. 
• Walk into wedded bliss – To begin married life happily.
  Example: They walked into wedded bliss after a beautiful ceremony. 
• Better half – Refers to one’s spouse.
  Example: He couldn’t wait to introduce his better half. 
• Ball and chain – A humorous or slightly negative way to refer to a spouse.
  Example: He joked about his ball and chain waiting at home. 
• Till death do us part – A vow of lifelong commitment.
  Example: They promised to love each other till death do us part. 
• Tie oneself down – To settle by marrying.
  Example: He wasn’t ready to tie himself down just yet. 
• Lovebirds – A couple in love.
  Example: The two lovebirds are finally getting married. 
• Blushing bride – Traditional phrase for a new bride.
  Example: She was every bit the blushing bride on her wedding day. 
• Big day – Refers to the wedding day.
  Example: The bride was nervous about her big day. 
• Bridezilla – A difficult, demanding bride.
  Example: Everyone tiptoed around the bridezilla during wedding prep. 
• Golden anniversary – A 50th wedding anniversary.
  Example: They celebrated their golden anniversary with the whole family. 
• Happily ever after – Fairy-tale ending of marriage.
  Example: They hoped to live happily ever after. 
• Man and wife – A traditional phrase pronounced after a wedding.
  Example: The officiant declared them man and wife. 
• Wedding bells are ringing – Used when a marriage is near.
  Example: Wedding bells are ringing for the celebrity couple. 
• Tie the matrimonial knot – A variation of “tie the knot.”
  Example: They tied the matrimonial knot in a private ceremony. 
• Go to the chapel – To head for a wedding ceremony.
  Example: They’re going to the chapel this weekend. 
• Bride and groom – The marrying couple.
  Example: The bride and groom looked radiant. 
• Union of hearts – Symbolic of marriage.
  Example: Their wedding marked the union of two hearts. 
• Wedding jitters – Nervousness before marriage.
  Example: She was overwhelmed by wedding jitters the night before. 
• White wedding – A traditional wedding with a white dress.
  Example: She always wanted a big white wedding. 
• Marriage vows – Promises exchanged during the wedding.
  Example: They wrote their own marriage vows. 
• Runaway bride/groom – Someone who abandons the wedding.
  Example: She almost became a runaway bride. 
• Shotgun wedding – A wedding forced by unexpected circumstances, often pregnancy.
  Example: It was a shotgun wedding, but they were happy nonetheless. 
• Wedding crashers – Uninvited guests at a wedding.
  Example: The party was so lively, even wedding crashers showed up. 
• Everlasting love – Eternal affection in marriage.
  Example: They vowed everlasting love. 
• Wedding toast – Speech given at a wedding.
  Example: He gave a heartfelt wedding toast. 
• Family man/woman – A person devoted to family life.
  Example: He became a real family man after marriage. 
• Wedding march – The music played at a wedding.
  Example: The wedding march began as she entered the aisle. 
• Silver anniversary – 25th wedding anniversary.
  Example: They celebrated their silver anniversary in Paris. 
• Newlyweds – A couple just married.
  Example: The newlyweds went on a honeymoon to Greece. 
• Say yes – Accept a marriage proposal.
  Example: When he proposed, she said yes immediately. 
• Cross my heart – A vow of sincerity, often tied to love promises.
  Example: She told him, “I’ll love you forever, cross my heart.” 
• Wedding vow renewal – Repeating vows later in life.
  Example: They planned a vow renewal on their 30th anniversary. 
• Knot of love – Symbolic phrase for marriage.
  Example: They tied a knot of love with family and friends around. 
• Marriage made in heaven – A happy, destined marriage.
  Example: Their marriage was truly made in heaven. 
• Wedding bliss – Happiness after marriage.
  Example: They spent the first years of their wedding blissfully.

Rare and Unique Idioms for Getting Married 

• Chain for life – To commit permanently.
  Example: He joked that marriage was a chain for life. 
• Bell the bride – To wed in a grand ceremony.
  Example: They belled the bride in true royal style. 
• Kiss the bride – Traditional phrase after marriage.
  Example: “You may now kiss the bride,” said the officiant. 
• Love’s anchor – Marriage as stability in life.
  Example: He found love’s anchor when he married her. 
• Wedding knots and bows – Symbol of celebration and union.
  Example: The hall was decorated with wedding knots and bows. 
• Hymeneal torch – Ancient idiom for marriage, tied to Roman god Hymen.
  Example: Poets wrote of carrying the hymeneal torch. 
• Cupid’s chain – Being bound by love through marriage.
  Example: They were caught in Cupid’s chain forever. 
• Rose garland of wedlock – Old poetic metaphor for marriage.
  Example: Their hands were joined by the rose garland of wedlock. 
• Rope of love – Marriage binding two people together.
  Example: The rope of love tied their hearts forever. 
• Wife of one’s bosom – Archaic phrase meaning beloved spouse.
  Example: He cherished his wife of bosom dearly.

Read: Idioms For Job

Getting Married Idioms in Literature and Pop Culture 

• Ball and chain – (Pop culture humor, movies/TV) Spouse as a burden.
  Example: In comedies, husbands often joke about the ball and chain. 
• Put a ring on it – (Beyoncé’s Single Ladies).
  Example: Fans often quote “put a ring on it” to mean marriage. 
• Runaway bride – (From the film Runaway Bride).
  Example: She feared becoming a runaway bride like in the movie. 
• Here comes the bride – (Wedding song & pop reference).
  Example: Everyone hummed “Here comes the bride” as she entered. 
• Pop the question – (Common in novels & films).
  Example: Romantic comedies often revolve around who will pop the question. 
• Wedding crashers – (From the movie Wedding Crashers).
  Example: They joked about being like the Wedding Crashers. 
• Match made in heaven – (Frequently in literature & song lyrics).
  Example: Poets call lovers a match made in heaven. 
• Holy matrimony – (Biblical/literary origin, also in movies).
  Example: Characters in old novels often enter holy matrimony. 
• Say yes to the dress – (Popular reality TV show).
  Example: She joked she was ready to “say yes to the dress.” 
• Happily ever after – (Fairy tales & Disney).
  Example: They rode off happily ever after, just like in the stories.

Synonyms and Alternatives for Getting Married 

Synonym	Meaning
Wed	A formal word for getting married.
Marry	The most direct term for entering marriage.
Unite in matrimony	Formal phrase meaning to join as husband and wife.
Exchange vows	To promise marriage commitments during a ceremony.
Join in holy wedlock	Traditional, religious phrase for marriage.
Become man and wife	Classic phrase after a wedding is pronounced.
Walk down the aisle	Symbolic of entering marriage.
Take each other’s hand in marriage	Poetic way to describe marrying.
Start wedded life	Refers to beginning a new life as a married couple.
Say “I do”	To agree to marriage during the vows.

Unique Tips for Using Getting Married Idioms in Writing and Speech 

•  Match Tone with Context – Use playful idioms like “tie the knot” or “put a ring on it” for casual chats, and formal ones like “united in matrimony” in serious or traditional contexts. 
• Add Humor Where Appropriate – Idioms like “ball and chain” or “shotgun wedding” bring lightness, but use them carefully depending on the audience. 
• Blend Idioms with Storytelling – When writing speeches or captions, sprinkle idioms naturally into anecdotes to make them memorable. 
• Avoid Overuse – Too many idioms in one place can sound cliché; pick 1–2 strong ones that fit the moment best. 
• Use Idioms to Create Imagery – Idioms like “walk into wedded bliss” or “match made in heaven” paint vivid pictures, helping your audience connect emotionally.  

Read: Idioms For Unique

Read: Idioms For Math

Conclusion 

Marriage is not just a ceremony but it’s a beautiful journey that language captures through colorful idioms. Expressions like “tie the knot,” “take the plunge,” and “walk down the aisle” bring life, humor, and cultural richness to conversations about weddings and commitment. These idioms remind us that marriage is both a personal promise and a universal experience, celebrated in stories, traditions, and everyday speech. Whether you’re writing a wedding toast, sharing your engagement news, or simply learning English, using marriage idioms adds warmth, imagery, and charm to your words.