Emma's answers to How do I cope with a bilingual ceremony?

Question

My dad's a minister so I was hoping he could do our wedding. The problem is that my family's Brazilian so he's not comfortable doing the whole ceremony in English. Everyone attending the wedding understands English so I'd like to do the ceremony in English. What should I do?

Answer

Thank you for your email and congratulations on your impending wedding.



There are several options to ensure that the whole congregation understands your ceremony. Firstly, you could ask your father to practise performing the service in English until he feels comfortable. If this is unsuccessful, then perhaps your order of service could be split down the page, with the words in Portuguese on one side, and in English on the other. You could also have somebody translating each section of the ceremony into English after your father has finished speaking.



However most people know what is involved in a wedding ceremony, they will understand the sentiment even if they are unsure of the words. Perhaps you could have the service in Portuguese, and the readings and hymns in English, that way everyone would be able to join in with the ceremony. I think it is a beautiful idea to have your father perform your ceremony, it adds a really special personal touch which I think all of your guests will appreciate.