Dos Idiomas, One Love: How to Plan a Seamless ‘Spanglish’ Wedding
The "Lost in Translation" Fear
Picture the moment: You are standing at the altar, pouring your heart out. Half of the room is tearing up, hanging on every word. But the other half? They are politely smiling, but they are checking their watches. Not because they don't care, but because they don't understand.
In a melting pot like South Florida, this is a common scenario. One side of the aisle speaks English; the other speaks Spanish.
Couples often worry that a bilingual ceremony will be clunky, twice as long, or boring for the guests who only speak one language. But when done right, a bilingual ceremony isn't a compromise—it is a superpower. It is the ultimate gesture of respect and inclusion.
At Wilton Vida Ceremonies, we believe your wedding should sound like you—and for many of our couples, that means Spanglish. Here is how to blend cultures with grace, without the awkward pauses.
1. It’s About Connection, Not Just Translation
The goal isn't to be a court interpreter. You don't need to say every single sentence twice (which doubles the length of the ceremony and kills the momentum).
The goal is emotional inclusion. We structure the ceremony so that the key moments—the welcome, the blessings, and the "I Do's"—are shared in both languages, while the storytelling weaves back and forth naturally.
The Welcome: We greet Tía Maria in Spanish and Aunt Mary in English immediately. This signals to everyone: "You belong here."
The Readings: Have a family member read a poem in Spanish, followed by the English interpretation (or vice versa).
Let a bilingual couple officiate your bilingual
wedding.
Find someone who looks at you the way these grooms look at each other (and the way we look at cake). 😉 Seriously though, this is what pure joy looks like. Congrats to the happy couple! #WeddingGoals #WiltonManors #GayWedding
2. The "Spanglish" Flow
Some of the most beautiful ceremonies we’ve officiated embrace the "Spanglish" reality of our daily lives.
Instead of strict blocks of translated text, we often weave the languages together.
"Do you take this man to be your husband / ¿Aceptas a este hombre como tu esposo?"
"With this ring / Con este anillo..."
This rhythm keeps everyone engaged because nobody feels like they are waiting for "their turn" to listen. It feels fluid, modern, and authentic to the couple’s real life.
3. The Vows: The Ultimate Gesture
If you want to leave not a dry eye in the house, try this: Speak to your partner in their native language.
Even if your accent isn't perfect, struggling through a few sentences of vows in Spanish to honor your partner’s heritage (or vice versa) is incredibly powerful. It shows vulnerability and commitment. We can help you draft these "hybrid vows" so they are short, sweet, and impactful.
4. Why the Right Officiant Matters
You can’t fake fluency. Reading a script phonetically is very different from speaking with the warmth and cadence of a native speaker.
At Wilton Vida, we are proud to offer fully bilingual services.
Cultural Context: We understand that it's not just about words; it's about culture. We know the importance of honoring elders (Abuelos) and the specific traditions that make a Latinx wedding unique.
The Team: Whether you need full Spanish, full English, or a seamless blend of both, we have the specialist to match your family's needs. (Shout out to our partner Daniel for his expertise in cultural insight and Spanish-speaking support!)
Uniting Two Worlds
Your wedding is the start of a new family. There is no better way to begin that chapter than by proving that love transcends language barriers.
Don’t let half your guests miss the magic. Let’s create a ceremony that speaks to everyone.
Planning a fusion wedding? Contact Us to Discuss Bilingual Ceremony Packages at (954) 546-3639.