Help with translating our vows

So, you don't speak Portuguese? And your fiancee doesn't speak any English. How do you communicate normally?

If you speak Portuguese why don't you just do the vows twice? Once in English so that your guests understand and then once in Portuguese so that you both understand.

Also look to see if there are any local Brazilian groups on facebook. You could put out the word there. Here in Boston we have a ton of local area Brazilian groups.

I have been studying Portuguese for over a year now. When we first started talking it was all through an app that translates messages, now I can understand her. I just want someone there to translate our pastor after everything he says so my fiance can get the full effect of what is being said and what they are telling her to say etc. I do not have a Facebook page but I may be able to borrow a family members page to look at Brazilian groups. Thank you for your replies everyone.

I'm not sure if this is close to you or not, but worth a shot.

https://www.elance.com/ls/usa/georgia/atlanta/brazilian-portuguese-translation-professionals/

Edit: Just realized that's the same link CK posted.. FH is Brazilian, I'll ask him tonight if he knows of any reliable service that could help.

Is the wedding near any colleges? Maybe you could find a bi-lingual or foreign language student on campus who would be willing to do it for a modest fee.

I'm also marrying a Brazilian who doesn't speak any English and who's family can't attend.

We initially wanted to hire a Portuguese-speaking officiant, but the few that we found in Connecticut either weren't available or were not responsive. Instead, we are having our ceremony in English (so our guests understand) and in Spanish (we both speak some Spanish and understand it really well). We're writing our own vows in Portuguese and will have them translated to English for our guests and placed in the programs (I'll translate mine and FH's brother will translate his) .

Does your fiancée speak or understand Spanish? The languages are similar enough that that might be a solution (at least in terms of understanding what's being said). Another option could be having your pastor give you a copy of everything he's going to say ahead of time so you can go through it with her so she understands.

Are you guys doing anything for her family who can't attend? I'm thinking about surprising FH by skyping his family in for the ceremony and then getting videos of their speeches for him and showing them during the reception. I'd love to hear more about what you guys will be doing (and any Brazilian traditions you're incorporating). I feel so bad FH's family won't be able to make it.

Thanks Nena and Concrete.

Very cool Samantha. She does not speak Spanish. I know that Spanish speakers have a hard time understanding Portuguese but I heard that the other way around is easy. She wants us to have 2 weddings, one here and one in Rio at a later time so her family and friends can attend. But i'm sure we will have plenty of video/pictures to share with her family. I think I just happen to live in an area with not many Brazilians around. She is coming over on a fiance visa within the next couple months.

Tradition wise, it will be all american. The only thing we are doing the Brazilian way is the rings. In Brazil when you get engaged, the man and woman wear an engagement ring on their right ring finger. When you get married, you transfer the ring from the right ring finger to the traditional left ring finger. It also helps that we have the same religious faith, so the differences are minimal.

I just want to say that it is really thoughtful that you are trying to find ways to make her comfortable during the ceremony.

Thank you for that kind message KD. I do want her comfortable and want her to be able to understand the vows and meaning of the words of our pastor. It makes it all more meaningful.

We did the Brazilian rings too. I'll get a sapphire as a wedding ring (a reverse of the american tradition) and we'll switch our alianças from our right to our left hands at our wedding. We thought about having a second wedding in Brazil, but my fiance is thinking he would rather we take his immediate family on a celebratory weekend getaway instead of a ceremony/reception, so we'll probably do that once we have our wedding videos and photos. I hope you guys figure out a way to translate your vows! There have to be some students studying Portuguese in a nearby college who would be willing to help.

Hi OP, please make sure that your marriage is legal. She may not be legally able to agree to the marriage vows if she does not understand what is being said. Are you having a city hall/judge ceremony first to make it official? Every state has different laws so just check to be sure. It is just like how you would not sign a legal document in a language that you don't know.

How did you meet your fiancee?

My wedding was in two languages. We hired an interpreter to perform readings and the main service was in English. Do not search for a translator for weddings. There is no such job. Just search for interpreters or speakers in the other language. Where do you live? I agree with the recommendation to try universities but also think out of the box. Meetup group members, Portuguese/Brazilian embassies or consulates, etc. etc.

Good luck!

I just saw that your post says Georgia. I don't know how I missed it the first time.... You are in luck! I was able to find several Portuguese social and educational groups in the state. Ask your officiant to give you a copy of the ceremony to translate into Portuguese for the person to read or consider asking your bride to write her own ceremony!

Please let us know how it goes. I am very excited.

Hi Trisha. Thank you very much for your information. I hired an Immigration lawyer to help out with all of our documents and to make sure everything goes smoothly. So far it has gone very well.

I met my fiance on a Brazil dating site. At first I just wanted to visit Brazil, Rio in particular. I figured I would look for someone as I was single at the time. I was lucky, I found her 2 days after I joined. We started to talk on WeChat as it had a translate function. We talked everyday from last August until this May, that is when I went to Brazil. I was there for 3 months, got engaged, it was a great experience. Now we are working on getting her here legally and starting our life together.

Where did you find those Portuguese social groups? Facebook?