Deaf wedding guests

So sweet for you to think of them in that way but IMO I'm sure they have addapted to everyday life and know what to do for themselfs to enjoy special events such as weddings too...

It would be a kind gesture if you found a signer, but as Malinda said, I'm sure they have adapted.

When they come over for parties or anything I have notebooks everywhere to help everyone communicate easier.

Could one of the kids be a junior flowergirl/groomsman and stand up there and sign for them?

The kids don't have that kind of attention span, they can't sit/stand still unless they are playing a video game. I think I'll look into a signer.

Ask them what they need to be able to enjoy the service, they will probably surprise you and say just an invitation.

If you make the effort to seat them where they can have an unobstructed view of the alter, they can probably lip read the service . The other option is to produce a program specifically for them, with everything on paper.

Either way I expect they will appreciate the invitation and enjoy the wedding

Kshively, I was so happy to see this post! I'm profoundly deaf myself and FH is hearing though. I do sign, but I depend on lipreading when I'm around hearing folks. So my suggestion is to seat them where they can see your faces and be sure they are obviously reserved. If the wife will be interpreting have a chair in front of him so they can face each other. Hope this helps!

Oh btw, most ppl think going slower helps, it actually distorts things and makes it harder to understand. Just go at a normal pace, not to fast or too slow.

If you do decide to get a translator, check into a local college first. A lot of schools offer ASL as a foreign language. You could probably hire a student that has taken quite a few classes. I would definitely check with your neighbors first. I have a hearing impairment, but can usually function ok on my own. Most people have learned to adapt, and some might be offended if you just assume they need a translator.

@mandmglass: thank you so much! I don't want them to feel like I'm trying to put their disability on display, I just want them to come and feel comfortable. I'll ask them what arrangement would work best for them.

I'm sure they'll be appreciative! I know I am when people try, even in a small way, to accomodate me.

That's awesome you really care about them to try to meet their needs. One of our friend's is blind, and both FH and I have learned just to ask directly rather than tiptoe-ing around it.

Kshively, Ive been going around about the same situation. One of my co-workers is deaf. She can read lips very well we talk all the time at work. Her husband I know will be able to translate for her. I have thought about hiring a translator but its just not in the budget. So, I plan on seating her and her husband in the second row next to the aisle so she can be close enough to read lips and we will face our guests more instead of the Minister. I have also thought about including our vows in the program.

My FH's grandfather is deaf and we decided to print our our ceremony and have them placed on each chair so he can read along if he wants to and FH's grandmother will sign for him if he wants her too. We discussed it with them to determine what would make him most comfortable and allow him to enjoy the wedding.

I love that you worded it as "renting a translator."

I agree with the suggestion to speak with them directly to see what they are most comfortable with.

i also think it is wonderful that you are making such an effort to truly include them in the ceremony

I am hard of hearing. close to being deaf with a lot of friends who are deaf. I can tell you now that you should talk to them and ask them what their feeling are. Because honestly I think if you just allow the wife to do it for her husband then they might feel that u didnt care. I think you should hire someone to sign for them. You can have them in front row with someone who is right there in front of them or not too far from them so they are not displaying to everyone in the room. But again I would never ask my guest to sign for their love one like that. I personaly think it very rude. I will have to have a interpreter at my wedding.

Sry I miss a few comment up there. But having the kids doing the signing is very rude for them. I mean what kids would want to stand the whole wedding to sign for their parents? And also for the comment on having a student from ASL classes to do the signing? I dont think so. ASL classes normally do not teach very good sign. It teach you enough to know but it very very english. also students in ASL would NEVER be able to keep up with wedding unless their are major in ASL/interperter.

My mom is a sign language interpreter and she agrees with Sara C. Asking a family member to interpret is rude, especially because they'll want to enjoy the service too. Also taking ASL classes as a language class is completely different from taking interpreting classes. Like sara C said the ASL is very english like we speak it which is not how deaf people know it. If you get someone to interpret make sure they are a certified interpreter. They get paid about $40/hour so take that into consideration. Usually they work for an agency and I'm sure you can find one by googling it. Make sure you have the interpreter located so they can hear everything very very well so that everything gets communicated well. Hope this helps

I talked with them lastnight about this and they were flattered that we'd considered hiring a translator but they were adamant that we don't because they didn't want us to spend the money. :/ I can afford to hire (one granted I'm not made of money and this isn't a huge production but I'll cut something else out to afford a translator) but I don't want to go ahead and do it after they've said not too but I feel like this is double edged: if I don't do it I don't people to think I don't care and if I go ahead and hire one I don't want them to feel undermined.