How to Plan a Bilingual Wedding, Straight From the Experts

Multicultural weddings are a beautiful opportunity to celebrate a couple's cultural backgrounds, and one way to do so is by making it a bilingual wedding. If you're wondering how to do a wedding in two languages, know it's not as complicated as it may seem, but it does require some strategic planning to seamlessly blend both languages into the wedding. To help with this, we chatted with Karla Solorzano, a multicultural wedding planner and founder of Kiss & Say I Do Events in Los Angeles. Read on for her top tips on how to have a bilingual wedding, including how to find bilingual wedding vendors and tips for having a wedding in two languages.

In this article:

• How to Plan a Bilingual Wedding
• How to Find Bilingual Wedding Vendors
• Tips for Having a Wedding in Two Languages

How to Plan a Bilingual Wedding

To begin the bilingual wedding planning process, follow these simple steps.

1. Hire a bilingual wedding planner.

First and foremost, hiring a bilingual wedding planner who is an expert in both cultures and languages will be a tremendous support in the planning process.

"Trust the expertise of a bilingual wedding planner who understands the nuances of both languages and cultures," Solorzano says. "They have connections with great bilingual wedding vendors, and their guidance will be invaluable in seamlessly weaving together the elements of your special day, creating a memorable one-of-a-kind celebration that will honor your culture, traditions and your love story."

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2. Celebrate both cultures.

Planning a bilingual wedding is not just about incorporating both languages but also celebrating both cultures. There are many ways you can do this. For the ceremony, Solorzano recommends featuring rituals and readings from both backgrounds.

Solorzano also suggests creating a diverse culinary journey for the reception of your guests. "Work with your caterer to create a menu that celebrates the fusion of flavors from both cultures," she says. "Each dish becomes a conversation starter, reflecting the journey of your hearts and palates. This culinary adventure becomes a shared experience that brings everyone together."

The wedding decor is another way to merge both cultures. "Let it tell the story of your union, merging elements from both cultures into a stunning visual narrative," Solorazo says. And the same goes for music and bilingual wedding songs. "Consider incorporating traditional songs from both cultures, intertwining the melodies beautifully," she adds.

3. Create bilingual stationery.

All of your written materials, from save-the-dates to invitations, menus, signage and more, should include both languages. If you're able to find a stationer who has experience with both languages, all the better, or you may need to enlist a family member or friend to help proofread all of your paper products.

4. Build your bilingual wedding website.

In addition to sending out bilingual wedding invitations, a wedding website is an essential resource to help keep guests informed on all the details for the big day. For a multilingual wedding website, in particular, Solorzano recommends using a user-friendly wedding website platform that supports multiple languages and provides translations for key information such as event details, RSVP instructions and accommodation recommendations.

How to Find Bilingual Wedding Vendors

Next up is hiring your wedding vendor team. Hiring bilingual wedding vendors, such as a bilingual wedding planner and a bilingual DJ, is another key element of having a bilingual wedding. "Having a team that speaks the language of your love story can truly make your day shine," Solorzano says. To find the right ones, she suggests asking friends and family members for recommendations. She also recommends using wedding planning sites such as The Knot Vendor Marketplace that list different vendors and look for ones that specify that they are bilingual.

However you find a bilingual wedding vendor, Solorzano advises interviewing them and asking about their experience with bilingual weddings and ensuring that they actually are bilingual and speak both languages fluently.

Tips for Having a Wedding in Two Languages

Learn a few tips and tricks and bilingual wedding ideas for seamlessly blending two languages into a wedding celebration.

Set up inclusive signage.

One important part of a bilingual wedding is ensuring that both languages are peppered throughout the wedding with signage. "Start with welcoming signs in both languages to create an atmosphere of inclusivity," Solorzano says. "These signs set the tone for a celebration that embraces all guests, making them feel extra special in your unique love story."

Create bilingual programs.

For the bilingual wedding ceremony, bilingual wedding programs are another way to blend both languages. "Bilingual programs are a wonderful touch; they can include translations of key ceremony elements, helping everyone follow along," Solorzano says.

Use both languages during the ceremony.

To ensure a seamless and inclusive wedding ceremony, Solorzano recommends hiring a bilingual wedding officiant who can perform the ceremony fluently in both languages. For the bilingual wedding vows, she suggests: "Couples can exchange them in both languages or take turns, expressing their love and commitment in a way that resonates with both families."

Have bilingual wedding speeches.

The wedding speeches are another opportunity to blend cultures. "Incorporating speeches in both languages can be a heartwarming touch," Solorzano says. "To make it flow smoothly, I recommend designating specific speakers for each language, allowing for a natural transition between languages."