Attending a Wedding｜Useful French Phrases

A wedding is an important milestone in life, and in French-speaking countries it is customary to use polite and heartfelt language to congratulate the couple.

Beyond simply saying “Congratulations,” knowing how to express good wishes or comment on the ceremony adds warmth and sincerity to your words.

Here, I will introduce useful French expressions for weddings, along with explanations of the grammatical points behind them.

Dialogue

A

Félicitations pour votre mariage !
（Congratulations on your marriage!）

B

Merci beaucoup, c’est très gentil.
（Thank you very much, that’s very kind.）

A

Je vous souhaite beaucoup de bonheur.
（I wish you much happiness.）

B

Merci, nous sommes très heureux aujourd’hui.
（Thank you, we are very happy today.）

A

La cérémonie était magnifique !
（The ceremony was truly wonderful!）

Grammar and Expression Points

1. The Way to Say “Congratulations”

The most common expression is Félicitations ! (Congratulations!), which corresponds closely to English “Congratulations!” and is perfect for celebratory occasions.

félicitations is always used in the plural form; there is no singular version.

To make it more formal, add “pour votre mariage” (on your marriage).

2. Wishing Happiness

A frequently used phrase is based on the verb souhaiter (to wish):

The structure “souhaiter A à B” means “to wish A for B.”

Another formal wedding expression uses vœu (wish). This phrase is very common in wedding contexts.

3. Complimenting the Ceremony

To praise the wedding or the couple, use phrases that express admiration:

magnifique is “magnificent, wonderful,” ideal for elegant events such as weddings.

beau (“beautiful, lovely”) is naturally used to compliment people or atmosphere.

4. Formal Language: vous vs. tu

Since a wedding is a formal occasion, it is standard to address others with vous. Even with close friends, using vous in front of family or relatives is often safer.

Use tu only in casual, private settings.

5. Tips for Extending the Conversation

Adding a compliment or impression beyond simple congratulations helps the conversation feel warmer and more natural:

Summary

泉（Izumi）

Author

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