"Heirat" (or "Hochzeit") is the act/ceremony to start an "Ehe". Don't you distinguish between "bryllup" and "ekteskap" in Norwegian as well?

There are a few words used in German as a noun like in English, such as marriage and wedding. Marriage, Wedding - Heirat, Hochzeit, Eheschließung and Vermählung So in the cases above we're talking about the act of getting married. Marriage - though can also be translated to Ehe. Matrimony - Ehe Now we're talking about the act of being married over a period of time. Hope that helps.