Hover a line for its translation; hover a word for its meaning. Tap 🔊 to hear it.
Generate a brand-new dialog on any topic, using this lesson's 0 vocab words — plus any words you add below.
Sign in to generate dialogues. It needs a pass — the first ten lessons of every course are free either way.
Weddings in Germany
In Germany, only a civil ceremony at the registry office, the Standesamt, makes a marriage legally valid. Many couples also hold a church ceremony, and many celebrate with a party afterward, often on a different day from the civil wedding. Each partner may have a witness, Trauzeuge or Trauzeugin, though witnesses are no longer legally required. Wedding customs vary by region, but some are widespread. Friends give speeches and toasts, the couple cuts the wedding cake together, and according to a popular saying, whoever has their hand on top of the knife will have the say in the marriage. The bride throws her bouquet over her shoulder to the unmarried guests. The Polterabend, a party before the wedding at which guests smash old china for good luck, is still common in many places. Speeches at German weddings tend to be warm but brief, and gentle teasing of the couple is expected. Older formulas such as Es lebe das Brautpaar and the song Hoch soll(en) sie leben are part of almost every celebration, from weddings to birthdays.