You're standing at the altar. The sun is setting over a vineyard in Mendoza or maybe a white-sand beach in Riviera Maya. Your heart is thumping against your ribs like a trapped bird. The officiant leans in, says a lot of beautiful words you mostly practiced, and then comes the moment. The big one. You need to know exactly how to say i do in spanish because "yes" just feels a bit thin for a lifelong commitment.
Honestly, most people think it’s a direct translation. It isn’t. If you stand there and say yo hago, which is the literal translation of "I do," you're going to get some very confused looks from the front row. Spanish doesn't use the auxiliary verb "do" the way English does. In English, "I do" is shorthand for "I do take this person to be my wedded spouse." In Spanish, the grammar doesn't work that way. You have to conjugate the specific verb being asked. Usually, that means you're just saying Sí, acepto.
But there is so much more to it than two words.
The Grammatical Reality of the Spanish Wedding Vow
English is weird. We use "do" for everything. Do you like coffee? I do. Do you want to go? I do. Spanish is more precise. When the priest or celebrant asks, ¿Consientes en contraer matrimonio...? (Do you consent to enter into marriage...?), they are looking for a response to the verb consentir or aceptar.
Most of the time, the officiant will wrap up their long-winded question with ¿Aceptas a [Name] como tu esposo/a? You aren't "doing" anything in the grammatical sense; you are "accepting." So, the most common way how to say i do in spanish is simply Sí, acepto.
It’s short. It’s punchy. It’s legally binding.
Some regions prefer Sí, quiero. This literally translates to "Yes, I want," but in the context of a wedding, it carries the weight of "I will" or "I do." It’s incredibly common in Spain. If you’re in Madrid, you’ll hear quiero way more often than acepto. It sounds more romantic to some ears, less like a legal contract and more like a deep-seated desire.
Why Literal Translation Fails You
If you walk into a ceremony and say Yo hago, you’ve just told everyone "I make." Or "I build." The verb hacer is a powerhouse in Spanish, but it has no place in a wedding vow. Language isn't just a swap of words; it’s a swap of concepts. In the English-speaking world, "I do" is an iconic phrase, a cultural staple. In the Spanish-speaking world, the icon is the Sí.
Think about the ceremony's flow. The officiant says: ¿[Name], quieres recibir a [Name] como esposo/a, y prometes serle fiel...? You respond: Sí, quiero. Or they say: ¿Aceptas a [Name]...?
You respond: Sí, acepto.
It’s a call and response. You are echoing the verb they gave you. If you’re nervous, just listen for that last word they say before they pause and look at you expectantly. If they said aceptas, you say acepto. If they said quieres, you say quiero. Easy.
Regional Flavors and What to Expect
Latin America is massive. Spain is different. Even within Mexico, traditions vary.
💡 You might also like: Why an Oogie Boogie Stencil for Pumpkin Carving is Harder Than It Looks
In many Mexican ceremonies, the exchange of the arras (13 gold coins) is just as important as the verbal "I do." While you're handing over these coins, you might say a much longer version of a vow. You aren't just saying you accept the person; you're promising to provide and care for the household.
In Colombia, weddings can be deeply formal. You might hear Sí, acepto followed by a full sentence: Sí, acepto recibirte como mi esposo/a para amarte y respetarte. It’s a mouthful when you're crying and everyone is staring at you. Practice the long version.
The Catholic Influence
Since a huge percentage of Spanish-language weddings happen within the Catholic Church, the phrasing is often dictated by the Ritual del Matrimonio. The Church likes consistency.
Standard Catholic phrasing:
Esposo/a: Yo, [Name], te recibo a ti, [Name], como mi esposo/a y me entrego a ti, y prometo serte fiel en la prosperidad y en la adversidad, en la salud y en la enfermedad, y así amarte y respetarte todos los días de mi vida.
That’s the "I do" on steroids. If you’re marrying into a traditional family, you aren't just saying two words. You’re reciting a paragraph. If your Spanish is shaky, don't panic. Most priests are used to non-native speakers and will lead you through it phrase by phrase. You repeat after them.
Yo, [Name]... (pause)
Te recibo a ti... (pause)
It’s actually easier than trying to remember the whole thing yourself.
Beyond the Altar: Other Ways to Say I Do
Sometimes "I do" isn't about a wedding. Maybe you're at a party and someone asks, "Who wants another tequila?" Or "Who agrees with this plan?"
If you want to say "I do" in the sense of "Me too," you say Yo también.
If you want to say "I do" as in "I agree," you say Estoy de acuerdo.
If you’re answering a question like "Who does the cooking in this house?" you’d say Yo. Just Yo.
Context is king.
But back to the romantic stuff. If you’re writing your own vows in Spanish—which is becoming way more popular in secular ceremonies in places like Argentina or Chile—you have more freedom. You might not even use the word "accept." You might say Me comprometo (I commit myself).
Pronunciation Tips for the Nervous Groom or Bride
Look, Spanish vowels are pure. They don't slide around like English vowels.
- Sí: Sounds like the "see" in "see you later." Don't drag it out.
- Acepto: Ah-SEP-toh. The 'o' at the end is short and clipped. Don't make it sound like "toe" with a 'w' at the end.
- Quiero: KYEH-roh. That 'r' is a single tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth. It’s not the hard 'r' we use in "river." It sounds almost like a very fast 'd' sound.
If you say Kee-air-oh, people will understand you, but it’ll sound a bit "gringo." Try to blend the 'i' and the 'e' together quickly.
Common Misconceptions About Spanish Weddings
People think a Spanish wedding is just like an American one but with different words. Not really. There are no bridesmaids or Groomsmen in a traditional Spanish ceremony. Instead, you have padrinos and madrinas—godparents of the wedding. They don't just stand there and look pretty; they often sponsor parts of the wedding, like the lazo (a large rosary or cord placed around the couple) or the arras.
When you say your "I do," you are often doing it in front of these sponsors who have a vested interest in your marriage succeeding. No pressure, right?
Also, the timing is different. In Spain, a wedding might start at 6:00 PM, the dinner starts at midnight, and the "I do" feels like a distant memory by the time you're eating cake at 3:00 AM. Knowing how to say i do in spanish is the easy part; surviving the 12-hour party is the real challenge.
What to Do If You Mess Up
Let's say you're at the altar and you freeze. You forget acepto. You forget quiero. You forget your own name.
It’s fine.
Just say Sí.
At the end of the day, the legal and spiritual requirement is consent. A simple, heartfelt Sí is enough to get the job done. I’ve seen weddings where the groom was so nervous he just nodded vigorously until the priest laughed and said, "I'll take that as a yes."
✨ Don't miss: How Much is a Trump Watch? The Surprising Price of the New Collection
But if you want that cinematic moment, that "Discover-worthy" memory, aim for the full Sí, acepto. It has a resonance to it. It sounds final. It sounds like a beginning.
Practical Steps for Your Big Day
If you’re preparing for a ceremony in a Spanish-speaking country or with a Spanish-speaking partner, don’t leave the vows for the last minute.
- Ask the Officiant for the Script: Every priest or judge has a "go-to" set of questions. Ask for them in writing.
- Record Yourself: Use your phone. Record yourself saying Sí, acepto and Sí, quiero. Listen back. Are you flattening the vowels?
- Decide on the "Tú" vs. "Usted": Most vows use the informal tú because, well, you’re marrying the person. You should be on familiar terms. But some very traditional ceremonies might use the formal usted. Check the script.
- Learn the "Lazo" Vows: If you’re doing a Mexican or Filipino-style ceremony with a cord, there are extra words. "I place this lazo..." in Spanish is Coloco este lazo... It’s another chance to show off your skills.
The reality is that language is a bridge. Even if your accent is terrible, the effort of saying your vows in your partner's native tongue—or the tongue of their heritage—is a massive gesture of respect. It shows you aren't just showing up; you're joining their world.
So, whether it's a simple Sí or a long, poetic prometo serte fiel, just breathe. You're not just learning how to say i do in spanish; you're learning how to say "I'm here for the long haul."
Before the ceremony, sit down with your partner and confirm which phrasing they prefer. Some families have strong feelings about quiero vs acepto. Once you have the green light, practice until the words feel like muscle memory. When the moment comes, you won't be thinking about grammar. You'll be looking at the person you love, and the words will come naturally.
Make sure you also understand the question being asked. If the officiant asks ¿Vienes aquí por tu propia voluntad? (Are you here of your own free will?), you better be ready with a very clear Sí.
Ready to move forward? Start by confirming the specific liturgy or script your officiant plans to use, as this dictates your exact response. Practice the pronunciation of the vowels—A, E, I, O, U—since they are the foundation of sounding natural in Spanish. Finally, if you're writing custom vows, have a native speaker check your grammar to ensure your heartfelt message doesn't get lost in translation.