Connect
To Top

7 Tips for a Bilingual Boda (Oops, I Mean Wedding!)

Love has no borders. Love has no limitations. And although love is a language in itself, love is not limited by languages.

Many fall in love with others from different cultures, countries, and backgrounds. And although it may be a challenge for some when it comes to communication or finding a common language, many couples are willing to work through cultural differences in order to be with those whom their soul loves.

So if you are one of these brides, whether you are marrying into an Italian family or your honey has Spanish descent, there are some ways to make your wedding multi-cultural. But you may be asking why you should do this, especially if you and your groom-to-be both speak a common language and it is just the older generation in your family.

The last thing you want is for your guests or family to be bored, confused, or frustrated because your wedding is in a completely different language or has overwhelmingly different cultural aspects. But do not fret! The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make your wedding bilingual and bi-cultural in order to meet the needs of your guests, plus give your wedding a little unique pizzazz!

1. Bilingual Ceremony

Whether you translate word for word, or just translate the vows, having both languages in the ceremony is key. The wedding ceremony itself is the most important part of the day. So you want your guests to feel comfortable and happy that they are able to witness your marriage in their own native language.

 

2. Bilingual Invitations

Wedding invitations play another key role in the wedding process. The great part is, this is probably one of the easier parts, but it is also a critical one. You want to be sure that it is communicated to friends and family the dates, time, and how to RSVP in a clear manner. So if you know that some family members are not so fluent, then make sure you include both languages on the invitations.

 

3. Bilingual Wedding Programs

This is not necessary, but is a nice gesture so that your guests and family can follow along in the ceremony easily. If you incorporate cultural aspects of wedding ceremonies from the cultures in the ceremony, it may be easy to follow along even without bilingual programs. But if you want to be extra sure for clarity, make sure the programs are bilingual.

 

4. Different Foods from Both Cultures

Image Source: pinterest.com

Image Source: pinterest.com

This is one of the most fun and yummy ways to incorporate both cultures into your reception. A great idea is to serve the food buffet style, that way guests have several options and can mix and match to create a bi-cultural meal! Friends and family will love the mix, and will enjoy getting a taste of another culture at your wedding!

 

5. Have Translators If Necessary

Now, whether you want to hire a translator to mingle throughout the day, or just have a bilingual friend or family member translate, is completely up to you. It might be better to have a family member or friend, not only to save you money, but to decrease the chance of awkwardness a little bit. But having an interpreter can be great for close family who want to communicate, but can’t because of the language barrier. So keep this option in the back of your head.

 

6. Incorporate Fun Words from Both Languages

Image Source: de.weddbook.com

Image Source: de.weddbook.com

Whether you teach your guests to say “Cheers!” in both Spanish and English, or you have your menu written out in Greek, having small words here and there written in the different languages is a cute accent to your special day. You can pray in each others language, have a sign posted at the entrance that says “Welcome!” or “Hello!” in both languages, or have the party favors be bilingual in some way, shape or form. Either way, it is just the simple things sometimes that can go far.

 

7. Include Different Music and Dances from Both Cultures

Image Source: missioninnresort.com

Image Source: missioninnresort.com

Perform a Spanish tango for your first dance, get your guests up and in a circle for a fun Greek wedding dance, or just play some of your favorite hits from your native language. Because dancing is something fun that does not require talking, it can be a great way for your guests to interact without the hassle of a language barrier!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More in Wedding