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Dedicated September 2018

Bilingual Wedding

Chellie, on April 17, 2018 at 9:32 PM Posted in Planning 0 15

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I'm feeling a little nervous about our wedding whenever I think about things that aren't diys and bridesmaid dresses.

I'm Mexican as are both of my parents. Their first language is Spanish, as is 70% of my side of the family we're inviting.

Fh is all English speaking.

My parents are paying for a large part of the wedding and I am forever grateful to that, but I wonder how people will react to things, namely the food and music.

It will be traditionally Mexican party food (birria, rice and beans, tortillas, salsa verse and chips, and Mexican beer - you know, the what you expect at any quinceañera or other latino hosted event. I'm sure food won't be a problem - it's good food. But the weddings I've attended are catered and serve pasta, bread, and salad. So I feel it won't have as elegant of a feel. (Ever gotten birria on the front of your dress? Not looking forward to the possibility).

Then there's the music. My dad has booked a dj. A spanish speaking man who played at my sister's quince last fall. He's excellent at his job but the music will all be Spanish and I'm worried of people make a request, it won't be followed through/it won't be available to him. His website is purely in Spanish.

Then there's the officiant. English speaking only in this area and unless we can find a bilingual speaking family member who would be willing to do it (paid of course, but it feels awkward to ask anyone) over half the guests won't understand. Of course the ceremony is mostly for us, but the second most important is my parents and i want them to be apart of it, fully. But would repeating everything twice make it take too long? I don't want people getting restless either.

What is everyone else doing? I'm printing invitations and programs in both languages and the ceremony isnt too big of a deal I guess, but I'm still nervous.

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15 Comments

Latest activity by Ten, on April 25, 2018 at 12:16 PM

Savvy May 2019
Natalie · on April 17, 2018 at 9:44 PM
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Im with you on this one. Not sure which to choose or to do both. I also want my mom to be able to understand everything that is going on. Let me know turn out.
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Savvy December 2018
J · on April 17, 2018 at 9:53 PM
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Hi, this is happening with me. I’m Colombian and most of my family is Spanish speaking and his is all English. The ceremony will be in Spanish but my sister will be translating. The music will be a mix, mostly Spanish because his family doesn’t really dance and mine does. The food is American since it’s being catered. You guys are putting two cultures together and both sides know so I’m sure they’ll be understanding.
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Dedicated August 2019
Samantha · on April 17, 2018 at 9:58 PM
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Hi ! my FH family is from Spain and Cuba and he is bilingual as well. My parents are paying for the reception and him and I are paying for the rest. All of our music will be English with some Spanish songs added in. Our food is mostly American but were are having a roasted pig to honor his Cuban side. The rest of the wedding is American, to be honest we haven't thought about adding anything cultural even though his family's first language is Spanish. Although were bringing two cultures together were more focused on what we like as a couple.
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VIP June 2018
Lindsey · on April 17, 2018 at 10:05 PM
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English and potrugese
the pastor will be doing mostly English with some small português saying, and a prayer and Portuguese. I made signs in both, and we will have Brazilian cake , tie cutting, and he DJ willl play American and Brazilian music
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VIP July 2018
The Nuptials · on April 17, 2018 at 10:44 PM
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Do a fusion, maybe meats with a twist? Something everyone can appreciate, basic enough for those who don't usually eat mexican but flavorful enough for those that do. . For dessert maybe cake and something else you know your family would love or even a dessert bar of ethic items (yum!)
For the ceremony I've seen it go best if the translation if just for part of the ceremony, maybe the vows and something else super meaningful.
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Expert May 2018
LIZ · on April 17, 2018 at 10:57 PM
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Perhaps incorporate both nationalities into the menu and speak with the DJ, I am sure he can mix things up too. As far as the ceremony, it would be great if someone could translate, but I'm guessing most guests now what's going on be the motions. Good luck, it will all work out.
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Devoted November 2023
Crystal · on April 18, 2018 at 3:31 AM
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How would your family feel if the dj only spoke and played American/English songs?
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VIP September 2018
rica · on April 18, 2018 at 8:05 AM
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As a non-Hispanic English speaker, I can honestly say this sounds amazing to me. I love traditional Mexican food. I also really enjoy Mexican music, however, including a few songs I could sing along to might be nice.
For the ceremony, I’ve heard of people just doing some parts in both languages. Perhaps say your vows in English and Spanish. I’m sure your family would be impressed if your FH could learn just a few words for that. And have a family member give a reading or two in Spanish.
We only have a small group of family members who speak Italian, but I am having our welcome message being repeated by an Italian friend.
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Dedicated September 2018
Chellie · on April 18, 2018 at 9:58 AM
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Not to have this sound as rude or anything, but living in America, that's kind of what it's like for them everywhere. But I get what you mean!
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Dedicated September 2018
Chellie · on April 18, 2018 at 10:00 AM
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I'm leaning towards a buffet, so people can choose which items to take and taste. I'll definitely have to come up with a playlist eith fh we can give to the dj. I'll make sure to add song requests to our wedding website as only our English speaking friends and family will be using it. My family prefers phone calls.
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Champion August 2017
Mrsbdg · on April 18, 2018 at 10:10 AM
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We had a sort of bilingual wedding. My ILs speak no English so we actually had a transcript of the ceremony translated into Spanish and I hand wrote them into gorgeous notebooks for his parents to follow along. My BIL and his wife are both bilingual. We had all of our printed materials in English and Spanish. Our programs were both in English and Spanish. Our Mr and Mrs Sign was even in Spanish too lol. We had a huge mix of music so everyone felt something they liked was playing.

Good luck! Oh and if you want to save yourself some serious headaches, hire a bilingual graphic designer (for printed materials). It really helped in case my husband forgot to add accents or tildas. She had such great attention to detail.
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Devoted November 2023
Crystal · on April 18, 2018 at 6:14 PM
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I actually disagree as someone who lived on the south side of Chicago for 17 years. They would have zero problem finding a radio station in Spanish to listen to, places to shop and places that primarily spoke Spanish.
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Dedicated November 2018
Gaby · on April 18, 2018 at 8:24 PM
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We are having a bilingual wedding!
Except Ceremony because it’s at church and it will be in Spanish, my English speaking guests are aware, and they tell me they are excited to be there for us.
For the reception we are requesting for our Dj to not translate everything, but at least acknowledge the big things and say them in both English and Spanish (ie. bouquet toss, cheers, dance time, etc)
Plus, is your wedding! If your FH and you are happy with the plans, go for it!
if you get birria on your dress, at least it tasted good 😉 (but careful!)
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Savvy September 2019
idania · on April 25, 2018 at 12:03 PM
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You're wedding sounds like so much fun, Mexican food may not look elegant but it will be WAAAY more delicious than your typical wedding pasta. I wouldn't stress too much about the language barrier if I were you. I went to wedding like this growing up & everyone there is going because they love you guys & are going to witness your union. they'll get the jist of what's going on. I might ask a family member that is bilingual to give a toast in both languages & just thank everyone. Good luck!
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Beginner May 2018
Ten · on April 25, 2018 at 12:16 PM
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I am in a similar situation. My family is english speaking his is spanish speaking. But the DJ we got has experience catering to both cultures. We have a mariachi band for cocktail hour. Then the DJ will play top 40 music and reggeaton, cumbia, and Salsa. So it will be a mix of music. The ceremony is in English. Our food is mainly American like, but appetizers are empanadas and tostadas (that they made look elegant). Ceremony signs are both english and spanish. Our cake has a Dulce de leche layer and tres leches. Don't over think it! Many ppl english and spanish interact on a daily basis. Most people know dulce de leche.... don't stress too much. Buffet is good because they can see and pick what they like. Good luck!
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