As well as celebrating you as a couple, your wedding day will also bring together both of your families. And if you’re planning a bilingual wedding? This can mean bringing together two families with completely different cultures, traditions, and languages!
In order to plan an inclusive bilingual wedding, it’s important to consider the needs of your loved ones. From bridging the language gap to celebrating your differences, keep reading as we share 3 things to know about planning a bilingual wedding below.
You’ll Need to Plan Around Multiple Languages
A bilingual wedding can often lead to a language barrier between your loved ones. While some of your guests may speak both languages fluently, there may be other guests who only speak in their native tongue. With this in mind, it’s important to accommodate both languages in your wedding communication – before the day, and on the day itself.
This includes:
- Creating two versions of your wedding invitations (consider using digital invitations to make this even easier!)
- Using double-sided ceremony programs
- Translating your wedding signage into both languages
- Personalizing your wedding ceremony to incorporate both languages
- Creating a bilingual wedding website to share essential information with your guests
Here at WedSites, our bilingual wedding website builder allows you to translate your wedding website and RSVP form into different languages, and assign a preferred language to each guest. This means when they visit your wedding website, it will appear in their native language (without any clunky text or awkward translations!).
Your Families May Want Different Things
When planning a bilingual wedding, you may find both sides of your family want to incorporate specific cultural traditions into your day. So, what’s the best way to navigate this if your families want different things?
Juggling expectations can be tricky, so we’d suggest having an open conversation with both sides of the family to determine their wishes. Then, see if you can find a happy medium where both cultures can be celebrated in their own way.
Including traditions from both cultures can make your wedding day feel wonderfully special and unique. From food to music and decorations, there are countless ways to represent both cultures for a multicultural wedding.
Remember though, this is ultimately your day. Don’t stress if you can’t accommodate all of your family’s wishes. As long as you’ve made an effort to incorporate both cultures, your family will need to acknowledge that a multicultural wedding requires compromise from both sides!
Read our guide on planning a thoughtful and practical bilingual wedding here for more inspiration.
Some Cultural Education May Be Needed
If you’re planning a bilingual wedding, some education about both cultures can be extremely helpful for your loved ones. Consider adding a separate page to your wedding website that highlights any important customs or etiquette tips your loved ones should be aware of. For example: cultural greetings, appropriate attire, or special rituals to expect on the day.
This will help your loved ones avoid any serious faux pas, and also ensure everyone feels understood and welcome.
Plan the Perfect Bilingual Wedding with WedSites
Here at WedSites, we’ve made it easy to plan the perfect bilingual wedding. Send your digital wedding invitations in two languages, and create separate versions of your wedding website to personalize the experience for your loved ones.
Learn more about creating a bilingual wedding website here, or create your free account to get started!
