Language of invites?

pipeTsquared

We are having a slight argument about what language to have the invites in. We are both bilingual (well FH is quad-lingual but lets just stick to the two each)

We both speak english, all of my family and many friends are the same bi-lingual, so speak English

FH's family/friends do speak english, but for many it isnt the first language but you would class them as fluent. 

Neither of us speaks English with our families

FH wants the invite bilingual in English and his first language, I dont think that is fair as English isnt my first language either (we both grew up in bilingual countries) and think if we are having it in his first language we should also include mine but we have guests that only speak English so cant have invites just written in 2 different non-english languages. But three is too much (isn't it?)

Help

artbyallie

Is it at all feasible to send English invites to the people who can read/speak it and other languages to the people who need them? I do think three on one invite would start to look like an instruction manual for something (you know, where it's English, French, and Spanish). Or alternatively, English/your language for your guests and English/his language for his?

HisGirlFriday13

I would agree three is too much. I would argue that two is too much.

Either do English only (which makes sense since all your guests can read it) or do separate batches of invites for everyone according to the language you speak with them.

But you will also face this problem with the programmes and language of the ceremony, so you should sort that out soon.

loro929

HisGirlFriday13 said:

I would agree three is too much. I would argue that two is too much. Either do English only (which makes sense since all your guests can read it) or do separate batches of invites for everyone according to the language you speak with them. But you will also face this problem with the programmes and language of the ceremony, so you should sort that out soon.

 I have to agree with @HisGirlFriday13 . I am in a similar situation: my family speaks English and FI's does not. All of the bi-lingual invites seemed a bit busy to me. So, we are just going to print two sets of STDs, invites, programs, etc. In that way, each family is comfortable reading their own language. I want FI's family to be just as comfortable as mine the day of our wedding, and vice versa, so that solution made the most sense to us. 

casey8784

If neither family speaks english as a first language, but both DO speak english, then printing them english-only seems like the common factor/neutral ground between the two families to keep it fair.

if, then, there are random family members or friends who don't speak english at all, then maybe print a small batch in the other languages so you can send if/when needed?

AroundTheBlock

There are tri-fold invitation cards available from most stationers. Use one of those: put the English on the centre pane and the French and Spanish (or whatever) on the two outer panes alongside the English. Your families will appreciate the recognition of their heritage, and your fiance will appreciate your willingness to compromise and respect his wishes -- the more so because wedding planning does tend to under-engage the groom. If you choose an elegant font and an elegant card, the beautiful look of a wedding invitation will be retained and you will not need to worry about it looking like anything but what it is.

JCbride2015

I agree a bilingual or trilingual invitation would look busy, but as a guest I would think it was sweet and not really mind receiving it.  If you want to do only one language, English seems like the obvious choice.

The idea of printing separate sets of invites is also great.  Fi has a few family members who only speak Italian, and we were thinking of printing a few Italian invites to send them. 

RedJacks25

AroundTheBlock said:

There are tri-fold invitation cards available from most stationers. Use one of those: put the English on the centre pane and the French and Spanish (or whatever) on the two outer panes alongside the English. Your families will appreciate the recognition of their heritage, and your fiance will appreciate your willingness to compromise and respect his wishes -- the more so because wedding planning does tend to under-engage the groom. If you choose an elegant font and an elegant card, the beautiful look of a wedding invitation will be retained and you will not need to worry about it looking like anything but what it is.

I like this idea. As a monolingual speaker, I would think it was pretty cool to receive an invite in three different languages if it still looked classy (which I think is very possible with a tri-fold). Also, it would be a nice nod to you combining your cultures together in marriage.

Edited because formatting is hard.

MairePoppy

Have two batches printed. One could be English and Groom's first language, the other could be English and Bride's first language. I think family members will take this as a sign of respect for their cultures. The English speaking friends could get either version.

majesty318

My first language is English and FI's first language is Spanish. Everyone speaks English, though, so it did not occur to me to do bi-lingual invitations until we had already selected a design. And that design wouldn't have worked with double text. And we didn't need enough in just Spanish to make the minimum order requirement. So they are all in English, sigh.

Anyway - if everyone you are inviting speaks English, regardless of whether it is their first language, I think it is fine to do only English. But the tri-fold also works or if you google "bi-lingual invitations" you will come up with some ideas.

We will likely try to do the programs in both languages and we are going to have readings in both languages.

Inkdancer

I would highly recommend the tri-fold. I recently received an invitation that was in both English and Vietnamese, but was done in sections (i.e. English names of bride and groom request the pleasure of your company, then Vietnamese the same, then English date time and location, then Vietnamese date time and location). It was immensely confusing.