Wedding congrats in German?

November 17, 2012 1:31 PM

How can I congratulate the bride's parents in German?

I am attending a wedding tomorrow. The bride's parents are from Austria and speak only German. Most people at the reception will speak only English.

Please help me with a short, congratulatory phrase in German that is appropriate to their position as the bride's parents, and which will make them feel more welcome.

(They'll likely assume I speak German. But, I'll deal with that later.)

posted by John Borrowman to Human Relations (7 answers total)

So you wanna start with: "Liebe Brauteltern" ( = dear parents of the bride).

But what else to you want to say to them? I can help you translate.
posted by travelwithcats at 2:11 PM on November 17, 2012

Herzlichen Glückwunsch und Gratulation! : Hearty best wishes and congratulations!
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 2:12 PM on November 17, 2012

Best answer: Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
posted by mynameisluka at 2:26 PM on November 17, 2012 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Assuming z sounded like tz? w sounded like v?
posted by John Borrowman at 2:45 PM on November 17, 2012

Google translate will give you the pronunciation. (Though I'm sure they'll get the idea.)
posted by supercres at 3:04 PM on November 17, 2012

Best answer: My suspect German transliteration would be something like "Hertzlicken Gluckvunsch"...
posted by prentiz at 3:49 PM on November 17, 2012

Response by poster: Done. Thanks.

Here's to the bride and groom.
posted by John Borrowman at 4:20 PM on November 17, 2012 [1 favorite]