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Translator for our Wedding?

jencitamariajencitamaria
First Comment
in Latino Weddings
For those of you who have both English-speaking-only and Spanish-speaking-only guests at your wedding, I would like some advice!

I am Canadian and English-speaking, and getting married to my Peruvian fiance in Peru.  The vast majority of our 45 guests will be his relatives and friends, with a few of my Peruvian friends plus my parents, cousin, and one friend from Canada.  I know that my mom would really appreciate being able to understand everything that is going on and said at the wedding, and would feel a little hurt and left out if everything was in Spanish.  Does anyone suggest having someone translate the entire wedding into English for my family (including the vows, speeches, etc), and if so, how should it be done?  With a translater sitting near my family translating quietly, or with the translator speaking in front of everyone? 

Thinking about my fiance and I doing our groom and bride toasts, I think its going to be a bit awkward, especially for me.  I know I'll get emotional  and sentimental during my toast and don't want to have to stop after every line to wait for the translator.  I speak Spanish fluently so I could repeat my toast afterward in Spanish, but that would feel weird too because the second time around I would feel kind of robotic. 

Finally, is it too much to ask one of my guests, my Peruvian co-worker/friend who speaks English fluently, to be the translator?  I don't want her to feel exhausted and like she is "working" my wedding.

Please share your thoughts!  Thank you!
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Re: Translator for our Wedding?

  • Nati05Nati05 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    The translator thing is a toughie. I don't like the idea of a translator during a wedding ceremony, and you're right... someone translating your speech would be awkward. TBH I'm still figuring this one out on my own but what about providing fully detailed programs for your English speaking guests, or Spanish speaking guests.. whichever is the smallest group? Include translations of the important parts. And if you're mom/ family knows you're getting married in Peru, what are they expecting from the ceremony in a Spanish speaking country? Since it's kind of a given, they might not be as hurt as you think they would be. I mean it's not like it's something intetionally against them. Also get some ideas from them.. and mention the possibility of programs. Sorry, but I really think a translator would be uncomfortable.

    As for speeches, I plan on repeating mine in both languages. But I disagree, I don't think the second time would become robotic. You'll be speaking to those who couldn't understand you the frist time so in a way it's like saying your thank you speech for the first time. Just for different people. I'm sure you (and myself probably) will still get emotional repeating your words but now to a specific group.
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  • jencitamariajencitamaria
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for your opinion!  I think you're right...a translator would be awkward.  I like the idea of having translations on our programs for my English-speaking guests.  As far as the other toasts that will be done in Spanish by my fiance's family, I will be sitting at the same table as my parents and friends from Canada (who are my WP) so I can translate them for myself.
    I don't think my mom would be hurt, as in that she would feel like anybody was intentionally trying to leave her out, just that she would be sad not to understand everything since it will be a very sentimental day for her.  But I think with having the vows and other parts of the ceremony translated on the program, that would be fine for her.
    Are you an American getting married in Ecuador?  Has the process/bureaucracy been difficult for you?  It sure has for me, as a foreigner getting married in Peru! 
    Have fun planning!
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  • Nati05Nati05 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Yes I am an American getting married in Ecuador. However I got my nationality about 2 years ago so I'm not having the same issues as you are :-\

    Btw, have you looked into getting a fiance visa for your FI? On the US embassy in Peru website they list all their visa info and there's one you can apply for to get married in the US. If that's something you're interested, it's totally do able. For us, a wedding in the states just isn't in our budget, so we're having it here instead. Not to mention his family would have to apply for visas just to see if they get approved or not. So here has worked better for us. Anyway if you haven't looked into that visa yet, check it out. I think it's a K-12 or K something visa. GL! :)
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  • jencitamariajencitamaria
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    That's great that its been easier for you to get married in Ecuador!   I agree, we are saving so much money by having the wedding in Peru than back home, since everything is generally cheaper. 
    I'm Canadian and we actually don't have a fiance visa, so unfortunately that's not an option :(  It would be great if it were! 
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  • Nati05Nati05 member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Oh that's right! Duh! I think you've mentioned several times you're Canadian and I still managed to forget lol. Sorry!! Embarassed 

    But yeah having a wedding somewhere else, the whole family might not be there but you save a ton and can have a wedding with all the works for half as much back home. That part I like very much! ;-) Where in Peru are you?
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  • jencitamariajencitamaria
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Yes, we are definitely saving a lot of money!  I'm in Lima.
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  • cesiaocesiao
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    OP, I'm kind of in the same boat. I only have a few English-only speakers so I may ask my sisters to translate  the important parts, I mean they're very close friends that are flying down and don't know any Spanish at all. I'm not sure yet, are weeing is in Nicaragua, but some of my family only speak English as well, or very little spanish. For example, my MOH and Matron of Honor only English and they'd like to say a few words, so hopefully my Spanish speaking guests can understand that they'll be speaking in English.
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  • DududulceDududulce member
    10 Comments
    I'm marrying a Peruvian too! But, we're getting married here and opted to try and get his family here. We were lucky to be able to do the fiance visa thing since we're in the U.S. (and we're actually married civilly already). A surprising amount of his family is able to come which is great. I don't speak Spanish so I envy you.

    All of our programs are bilingual with the readeing spoken in english written in spanish and the reading spoken in spanish written in english. We are having family and friends help translating including my fiance. It will be done quietly to the side as people are speaking. I think this is a bit tricky, but also what makes the whole experience unique and interesting. My mom is trying to learn a couple of phrases in Spanish :)
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