Practical Bokmål with English translations
Norwegian Wedding Words and Phrases
Find words for a wedding card, reply to an invitation and ask about the day. These Bokmål examples are for guests and friends celebrating a couple. Add the guide once for gradual learning and ongoing review.
What can I write in a Norwegian wedding card?
Gratulerer med bryllupet! means “Congratulations on your wedding!” For a warmer message, add Vi ønsker dere et langt og lykkelig liv sammen. (“We wish you a long and happy life together.”) Use jeg instead of vi when writing just for yourself.
Learn these words and phrases over time
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Words and phrases
Congratulations and card messages
Choose a short greeting or add a personal wish for the couple.
English
Congratulations on your wedding!
Norwegian
Gratulerer med bryllupet!
English
Warmest congratulations to you both!
Norwegian
Hjertelig til lykke til dere begge!
English
We wish you a long and happy life together.
Norwegian
Vi ønsker dere et langt og lykkelig liv sammen.
English
I am so happy for you both.
Norwegian
Jeg er så glad på deres vegne.
English
Thank you for letting us celebrate with you.
Norwegian
Takk for at vi får feire sammen med dere.
English
Best wishes from us both.
Norwegian
Beste hilsener fra oss begge.
Words and phrases
Invitations and replies
Accept, decline or ask for a detail when you receive a wedding invitation.
English
Thank you for the wedding invitation.
Norwegian
Takk for invitasjonen til bryllupet.
English
We would love to come to your wedding.
Norwegian
Vi kommer gjerne i bryllupet deres.
English
Unfortunately, I cannot come that day.
Norwegian
Dessverre kan jeg ikke komme den dagen.
English
When do we need to reply by?
Norwegian
Når må vi svare innen?
English
Is the invitation also for the children?
Norwegian
Gjelder invitasjonen også barna?
English
We are looking forward to celebrating you both.
Norwegian
Vi gleder oss til å feire dere.
Words and phrases
People and the ceremony
Recognise common words in invitations and conversations. The usage notes explain forlover.
English
a wedding
Norwegian
et bryllup
English
the marriage ceremony
Norwegian
vielsen
English
the bride
Norwegian
bruden
English
the groom
Norwegian
brudgommen
English
a wedding witness (forlover)
Norwegian
en forlover
English
We are engaged.
Norwegian
Vi er forlovet.
Words and phrases
Questions about the celebration
Ask about the venue, food and seating without assuming how the day is organised.
English
Where is the wedding reception?
Norwegian
Hvor er bryllupsfesten?
English
What time does the ceremony start?
Norwegian
Når begynner vielsen?
English
Is there a seating plan?
Norwegian
Er det en bordplan?
English
I am allergic to nuts.
Norwegian
Jeg er allergisk mot nøtter.
English
Is there an alcohol-free option?
Norwegian
Finnes det et alkoholfritt alternativ?
English
Who is going to give a speech?
Norwegian
Hvem skal holde tale?
Words and phrases
Thanking the couple
Send a message after the wedding or talk about something you enjoyed.
English
Thank you for a wonderful wedding celebration.
Norwegian
Takk for en flott bryllupsfeiring.
English
It was lovely to celebrate with you.
Norwegian
Det var hyggelig å feire sammen med dere.
English
The ceremony was beautiful.
Norwegian
Vielsen var vakker.
English
We really enjoyed ourselves.
Norwegian
Vi koste oss veldig.
English
Thank you for a lovely dinner.
Norwegian
Takk for en nydelig middag.
English
May I send you the photos I took?
Norwegian
Kan jeg sende dere bildene jeg tok?
Usage notes
Et bryllup is a wedding; en vielse is the marriage ceremony. The invitation may name the ceremony and the celebration separately. A forlover has a formal wedding role and may be described in English as a best man or maid of honour, depending on the context. The Norwegian word itself is not gender-specific.
Dere addresses both people in the couple. The card messages here work without assuming a particular religion or the genders of the people marrying. Use the invitation for practical arrangements; ask the hosts when a detail is unclear.
References for the terminology and context: Bokmålsordboka: bryllup. Bokmålsordboka: vielse. Bokmålsordboka: forlover.
Practise a conversation
Write a two-sentence card using a greeting and a wish. Then rehearse replying to an invitation and asking where the celebration is. Cover the Norwegian, say your version aloud, and compare it with the model. Change vi to jeg if you are replying alone.
You can add the whole guide for ongoing learning; Learnalist introduces its cards gradually and brings them back for review. Use these examples to rehearse today's situation whenever you need them.